The accountant who became a boxing legend and a 'Robbery of the Year'

Sport & Games · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before he was a Hall of Fame boxer, Juan Manuel Márquez worked as an accountant in Mexico City. He balanced ledgers by day and trained for world titles by night, eventually becoming one of the most technically skilled fighters to ever step into the ring.

Márquez's professional journey began in 1993 at age 19. Despite an early disqualification loss, he maintained an undefeated six-year run, compiling a 29–1 record. During this formative period, he balanced his training under Ignacio Beristáin with a full-time job as an accountant until 2004, the year he captured his first world title. This transition from a working-class professional to a global sports icon highlights a unique era where fighters often maintained secondary careers while climbing the ranks.

His technical mastery was defined by a high-volume, sophisticated style. He was noted for executing complex combinations and counterpunches, yet possessed the grit for brutal slugfests. This versatility allowed him to compete across four weight classes, from featherweight to light welterweight. His career was punctuated by high-stakes rivalries, most notably a four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao. These bouts were often marred by controversy, including a 2011 majority decision loss voted 'Robbery of the Year' by The Ring magazine readers, and a 2004 split-decision draw where a judge later admitted to scoring errors.

Márquez's legacy is cemented by his longevity. The lightweight record for the eldest world champion belongs to him. In 2012, he delivered a career-defining knockout against Pacquiao, ending the Filipino's 13-year knockout drought. His 2020 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame solidified his status as one of the greatest of all time.

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