INGLEWOOD, Calif. Chico Ruiz Jersey . -- Juan Manuel Marquez fought 12 times at the Forum in the early days of his record-setting career, and the Mexican champion fondly remembers almost every round. Even as an unknown featherweight prospect, Marquez loved the crackling atmosphere of the 1990s fight cards at the once-Fabulous Forum, where Lakers owner Jerry Buss indulged his passion for boxing by putting on hundreds of shows. Hollywood glitterati and hard-core fight fans mingled in Buss famed arena, which fell into decline after the Lakers and the NHLs Kings moved downtown to Staples Center in 1999. The Forum still holds a beloved place in the minds of California sports fans -- and after 13 years of inactivity, the building is back in the boxing business. Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs) gets the privilege of re-christening a building where he has never lost. "I feel very happy, because I get to fight in a great place," said Marquez, who made his Forum debut in 1995. "It is a beautiful, historical place." Marquez is hoping to revive the excitement when he takes on Mike Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the Forum, which has been rehabilitated by The Madison Square Garden Co. with everything from a fresh coat of red exterior paint to a thoroughly refurbished interior. Marquezs welterweight showdown with the hard-punching Alvarado live on HBO is the first fight card since 2001 at the Forum, where dozens of Mexican and American boxers got their first big fights. Its also the place where Top Ranks Bob Arum promoted Muhammad Alis second fight with Ken Norton in 1973, back when Jack Kent Cooke owned the building. "I really missed it when they closed the Forum as an entertainment and sports venue," Arum said. "They used it as a church for a while, and nothing pleases me more than that it is back as a sports venue and hosting a boxing event." Arum put together a compelling main event for the Forums return. Although both fighters are coming off a loss, Marquez and Alvarado are among two of the worlds most entertaining fighters at their weights, with Alvarados boldness and brawling instincts contrasting nicely with Marquezs skill and counterpunching. Marquez has won world championships in four weight classes, and a victory over Alvarado would set him up for a shot at a fifth title at 147 pounds. The winner of this bout is likely to fight Manny Pacquiao in the fall, which means Marquez would get a fifth bout with the Filipino congressman after winning their fourth meeting by spectacular knockout. "I concentrate only on this fight," Marquez said. "Maybe in the future Ill think about that fight, but right now, the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado, because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter." Alvarado is eager to bounce back from a difficult loss to Ruslan Provodnikov, who stopped Alvarado and took his 140-pound title last fall. While Alvarado would love the career-changing opportunity of a fight with Pacquiao, hes grateful for the chance to fight Marquez, who ranks right alongside Pacquiao among their generations best boxers. "Im here to put on a better show and perform at a higher level," Alvarado said. "This is where I belong, and Im going to show that this weekend." Although the main event is compelling, the return of boxing to the Forum will evoke fond memories for veterans of the fight game. Arum is hoping the card creates new excitement in Inglewood for future visits in an area already featuring several excellent boxing venues, including the outdoor StubHub Center in Carson. "I see that a lot of the fighters (for this weekend) are staying at the Marriott at the airport," Arum said. "When we did the Ali-Norton II fight, that was the fight headquarters as well. That was what, 41 years ago? Oh my, I was a thin, young handsome guy. Now Im an old, fat guy. It was a great night, a good fight. Norton gave Ali trouble. The fight at the Forum was very close, and Ali pulled it out." Robert Stephenson Jersey . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right. Reds Jerseys China . Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told local media in comments published Wednesday that John Tomic would not be allowed into Melbourne Park in any official capacity or as a spectator.At the completion of the preliminary round of the 2014 Olympic mens hockey tournament, Canada is where most people expected them to be; unbeaten and the top team of Group B with a bye to the quarter-finals. Canadas goaltending has been solid - having allowed just two goals in three games – and offensively, the team has dominated puck possession and scored 11 goals. Only the United States and Finland have scored more. However, Canadas 3-1 win over Norway and 6-0 rout of Austria left many fans unconvinced of whether or not the team could compete with fellow tournament juggernauts the United States, Sweden and Russia. The team failed to answer those questions on Sunday with a 2-1 overtime win over Finland, with their only goals coming from defenceman Drew Doughty. Team Canada has failed to find offensive lines that can consistently produce and have split up NHL teammates Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz, as well as Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in attempts to find scoring. Following Canadas victory over Finland, head coach Mike Babcock promised further line changes to try to spark his slumping forwards. With Canada exiting the group round with many questions still to be answered – including whom to pair with Crosby – can the team compete with the steady units of the United States and Sweden, or with the host team of Russia? Canada will not play again until Wednesdays quarter-finals, when they take on the winner of Switzerland vs. Latvia. Switzerland has proven to be a tough team in this tournamennt and, while they have struggled to produce offence, the team has allowed just one goal in three games – to Sweden in a 1-0 loss. Reds Jerseys 2019. Goaltender Jonas Hiller has yet to allow a goal and has proven to be one of the top goalies in Sochi. Though Canadas goaltender controversy appears to be put to bed, many questions still loom over the defending Olympic champions. Atop the list questions is who will be scratched for Canadas quarter-final game? Through three games Matt Duchene, Patrick Sharp, Martin St. Louis and Dan Hamhuis have all sat once, while reigning Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban has been scratched twice. Another major question for Canada is how to spark its forwards, since defenceman Drew Doughty and Shea Weber have accounted for six of the teams 11 goals. Winger Jeff Carter is the only forward on the team with multiple goals – he scored a hat trick against Austria. An unconvincing group round is not new for Canada, as the team was forced to play in the qualification playoffs at Vancouver 2010 after a shootout win over Switzerland and a regulation loss to Team USA. The team went on to win four straight games and the gold medal. In fact, Canada has not posted a perfect preliminary round at the Olympics since the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. With so many questions still to be answered for Team Canada and without the home ice advantage they enjoyed in Vancouver, the question has to be asked; is Canada ready to beat the top teams at Sochi 2014? As always its Your! Call. ' ' '
