Marcus Rosario (マーカス・ロザリオ, Mākasu Rozario) is a lightweight professional boxer and the WBC lightweight world champion from Puerto Rico.
Quick Answers
What led to Marcus Rosario becoming a bodyguard for the boss of his organization?
Who suspected Marcus Rosario of betraying their organization and why?
How did Marcus Rosario become the WBC lightweight world champion?
What was the outcome of the match between Mashiba and Rosario?
Background[]
Rosario fighting Juan.
In his teens, Rosario was scouted into an organisation and then worked his way up and became the boss's bodyguard.[5] Rosario was a candidate for the top ranks early on. Rosario became a loyal top ranker, however, other members thought as if he would betray them. When someone tipped off the police on the organisation, Rosario was suspected to be the one who did it. While Rosario claimed it wasn't him, he was attacked by members of the organisation as they believed it was him, and left him for dead.[6] Feeling betrayed by everything in his life, he decided to rely on his fists, the only thing he felt did not betray him by becoming a professional boxer.[7] Rosario would later fight against WBA lightweight world champion Juan García, who was defending his title for the second time. Rosario defeated Juan with a attack on his body and won the title. For unknown reasons, Rosario went from a WBA champion to a WBC champion.[8] Sometime after winning against Juan, Rosario was arrested and sent to prison, which he then got out sometime later.[9] Due to getting released close to the date of his WBC lightweight title defence against Ryō Mashiba, he didn't have the time to get any good training in, and had to rush his weight control.[10]
History[]
Part III[]
Judgement Day Arc[]
Rosario arrives in Japan.
Inside a building, Rosario pointed a gun outside the window after being annoyed by a dog's barking. Rosario's manager, Mr. Bin told him that he shouldn't do that as there are people around, and if he fires a round, the police will arrive, reminding him that he is the world champion. Rosario told him that he is being loud as well, aiming the gun at him and firing a shot. Rosario stated that he missed, as the bullet landed on a picture of Mashiba, but missed his body. Rosario knew that Mashiba would not be an easy target, and began to punch the picture of him on the wall, prompting Mr. Bin to stop him, as he doesn't want him to hurt his fists. Rosario told him to hurry up and bring Mashiba to him, as he wanted to wreck his happiness. A week before his title defence match against Mashiba, Rosario encountered an individual whom pulled a gun on him. Rosario then pulled out his gun and shot at the individual, but did not hit him. Rosario ended up going to jail, and Mr. Bin bailed him out. Rosario and Mr. Bin arrived in Japan. After getting off the plane at the Narita Terminal 1, Rosario made Mr. Bin know how unhappy he was about how he couldn't do anything he wanted on his way to Japan, and how the Japanese don't seem to care about his presence, announcing that he will make sure that everyone is as unhappy as he is.
Rosario at his press conference for his match against Mashiba..
On the day of the weigh-in and press conference, Rosario and Mr. Bin went to the Royal Hotel where both will take place. After Mashiba passed his weigh-in, Rosario was over. Mr. Bin claimed that it will be fine as they have time for the second weigh-in. Rosario was taken by Mr. Bin to a sauna and the latter scolded him for drinking the water at the airport that made him over the limit. After the sauna, Rosario was tasked to do roadwork to try and lose the weight. While doing roadwork, Rosario fell over in exhaustion and noticed a vending machine with drinks in it. Rosario got frustrated when he doesn't have any money to get a drink. Rosario remembered Mashiba passing his weigh-in easily, thinking it is unfair and wanting to make it even by making them just as unhappy. Rosario returned to Mr. Bin after the roadwork and passed the second weight check. At the press conference, since Rosario was drinking bottles of water without speaking, and Mashiba didn't attend, nothing eventful happened. On the night of Rosario's world title defence match against Mashiba, Rosario went to the Yokohama Arena after going to a salon to get his hair twirled into his usual hairstyle. When Rosario went to his waiting room, he did some shadowboxing, and he felt like his body was light and could move normal again. Rosario made his entrance into the ring as the match is about to begin.
Rosario and Mashiba exchanging punches.
As Mashiba and Rosario were about to touch gloves as the match began, Rosario believed that Mashiba will drag the match out and drain his stamina, thinking that that isn't a bad idea, however, he planned to end it before Mashiba pulls it off. Mashiba made his move first, landing a right straight body blow, shocking Rosario. Mashiba threw another punch that Rosario knocks down. Mashiba began throwing Flicker Jabs that Rosario blocks until he jumps back to create some distance. Rosario became irritated that Mashiba has thrown punches while he hasn't, deeming it unfair. Both Mashiba and Rosario enter an exchange match where both boxers fail to land a hit on each other until the first round ended. At his corner, while Rosario told Mr. Bin that he did not care about points, Mr. Bin warned that this is an away match, and it may come down to a decision. Rosario stood up, deeming it unfair.
Rosario unable to reach Mashiba after the latter widened the positions of his feet.
When the second round began, Rosario closed in on Mashiba with a fast step-in. He ducked under Mashiba's Flicker Jab at close range while putting his right foot behind Mashiba's left foot and throwing a left straight at Mashiba's face. Mashiba blocked the punch with one hand, while the impact made him get knocked back. Mashiba tried to keep a distance from Rosario, however, Rosario quickly got close to Mashiba with a fast step-in, putting his right foot behind Mashiba's left foot and throwing a barrage of punches that Mashiba blocked. Mashiba widened his feet position of his Hitman Style, making Rosario think that he is trying to hit him with a counter. Rosario threw a left, however, with Mashiba's left foot sticking far out, Rosario couldn't reach him. Mashiba landed a right jab counter that made Rosario lean over from the pain. Rosario missed two of his punches and got countered both times before taking a distance. Mashiba continued countering Rosario's attempts to hit him as the latter was unable to reach him. Just as Mashiba was about to land a Chopping Right on the defenceless Rosario, the referee stepped in as the second round ended.
Rosario hitting Mashiba with a right hook counter.
When the third round began, after a moment of not moving from his corner, Rosario slowly moved along the ropes while grumbling that it is cheap and unfair that he is the only one getting hit. Mashiba threw Flicker Jabs that Rosario blocks. Rosario rushed at Mashiba while throwing punches. Both boxers started missing their punches as Mashiba stepped backwards and Rosario chased him with a barrage of punches. Mashiba countered one of Rosario's punches with a right. After Mashiba got Rosario to the ropes by hitting him with another right, Mashiba threw a barrage of punches at Rosario's guard. A precise right hit Rosario's face, causing his knees to buckle. Mashiba took the opportunity to throw a one-two combination. Mashiba's left got blocked, and, when he threw his right, Rosario put his front foot behind Mashiba's to get into a favourable distance at Mashiba's side and landed a right hook counter on Mashiba's face, causing him to go down.
Rosario getting hit by a right uppercut.
After Mashiba got up at the count of eight, the match continued. As soon as the referee signalled to continue the match, Rosario rushed towards Mashiba. As Rosario charged towards Mashiba, the latter threw Flicker Jabs to keep Rosario away. The technique got blocked and dodged, and Rosario began attacking Mashiba's guard, which pushed him into a corner. In-between Rosario's attack, Mashiba threw a right uppercut that hit directly and downed Rosario. Rosario got up at the count of four, continuing the match. After a moment of both boxers avoiding attacking each other by staying at a distance, they suddenly rush toward each other. As they were about to throw a punch, the referee stepped in between them as the third round ended.
Rosario deciding to do whatever it takes to be the last one standing.
At Rosario's corner, Rosario expressed his frustration to Mr. Bin, thinking that it is unfair and that he is done holding back. Rosario stood up and planned to be the last one standing no matter what it takes. As the fourth round began, and Rosario rushed towards Mashiba, the latter waited with his Hitman Style. A headbutt almost occurred when Rosario stuck his head forward as he reached Mashiba, who blocked his head with his right hand and then steps to Rosario's right. However, while doing so, Mashiba accidentally tripped over Rosario's foot, making him lose balance, and almost got hit by Rosario's right overhand before he blocked it from hitting his face. Mashiba dodged Rosario's headbutt and fist that flies toward him at the same times. When he dodged the second time, however, he tripped over Rosario's foot once again as he stumbled back. Rosario continued to use his tactic of headbutting while punching as Mashiba dodged both attacks.
Rosario stepping on Mashiba's foot while attacking.
Rosario stepped on Mashiba foot while doing a headbutt and throwing a punch at the same time. While Mashiba dodged both attacks, Rosario's foot was still on Mashiba's, letting him land an intentional headbutt. The referee paused the match to give Rosario a stern warning for the headbutt that was ruled an accident. Mashiba began to bleed near his left eye from the headbutt and a doctor was called to check on it. Before a decision was made, Mashiba walked to the centre of the ring and motioned for Rosario to come to him. Rosario was thrilled by Mashiba's face, deeming the match fair now.
Rosario throwing a barrage of punches on Mashiba's guard at the corner.
The referee decided to let the match continue as the doctor stated that the wound was non-threatening. As Mashiba entered his Hitman Style and Rosario rushed towards him, Mashiba feinted a left, and landed a right straight body blow on Rosario. Mashiba stepped back with a tight guard covering his injured left eye while throwing rights at the approaching Rosario above and below. Rosario knocked away a right while stepping in and punched at Mashiba left block, aiming to make the cut by his left eye worse. Mashiba backed away and continued keeping his distance without punching back. Rosario caught up to Mashiba and continued hitting Mashiba's left guard. Mashiba was unable to see on his left side and tripped over Rosario's foot, causing him to stumble back into a corner. With Mashiba stuck in a corner, Rosario unleashed a barrage of punches on Mashiba's guard that made Mashiba's cut open up again until the fourth round ended. At Rosario's corner, Mr. Bin asked Rosario of his condition. Rosario claimed that he is filled with excitement as he know what Mashiba is doing, predicting that he will take it to a brawl next round, which is his territory.
Rosario attempting to counter Mashiba's right straight.
As the fifth round began, Mashiba and Rosario charged toward each other, colliding heads as they meet. Immediately after, Rosario stomped on Mashiba's foot. As Mashiba started backing away, Rosario stepped on his foot once again, this time Rosario landed a left straight on Mashiba's face, however, it wasn't a direct hit. Mashiba threw jabs, but Rosario passed through. When Rosario got close to Mashiba and was about to do a headbutt-punch combination, Mashiba landed a left jab-right straight body blow. Rosario tried to step on Mashiba's foot, but Mashiba moved his foot in time and landed another right straight body blow. Rosario stepped back as Mashiba threw a left jab. Rosario wondered what he can do about Mashiba's right straight body blow and wants to crush Mashiba's happiness as the cheers must make him feel good. Rosario planned to close in and fire a precise shot. Seeing a opportunity for a counter in-between the time it takes for Mashiba to throw a right after a left, Rosario threw a left hook as Mashiba threw a right straight. Both boxers missed as the gong to end the fifth round sounded. At Rosario's corner, the referee warned the corner that Rosario was fighting too roughly, telling him to watch his head and that he would be deducting points the next time he sees a foul. Rosario muttered that his timing was good, as he is able to step into the distance where he can hit Mashiba. He planned to adjust the trajectory of his punches to be sure he is able to shoot right through him.
Rosario landing a left hook counter on Mashiba.
As the sixth round began, suddenly, Mashiba and Rosario entered a close-range exchange where both boxers threw punches at each other that get blocked, dodged, or grazed. As Mashiba was sending out a one-two, Rosario prepared to interrupt the middle of the combination with an attack, however, it was unsuccessful as Rosario got hit by a right body blow. Rosario was annoyed that he is just barely unable to reach Mashiba with his fists. Rosario remembered how his life was full of constant betrayal, however, his fists were the only thing that wouldn't betray him, and they helped him get to the top. Rosario tried to hit Mashiba in the middle of his one-two again, however, Rosario was hit by a right body blow again. Rosario thought that he was too slow, so he tried once more, trying to make his throw smaller and faster while Mashiba threw the right straight of his one-two. Rosario's left hook counter landed on Mashiba's face, sending him down. As Rosario went to a neutral corner while the referee counted, he was thrilled with what his two fists had done, knowing that they wouldn't betray him. He acknowledged Mashiba as his strongest opponent, but believed the match was over. He was shocked as Mashiba stood up at the count of eight, continuing the match.
Rosario acknowledging that boxing is fair.
As the match resumed with a minute and thirty seconds left in the sixth round, Mashiba stayed in place as Rosario sluggishly walked away from his neutral corner. Rosario felt as if the path to Mashiba was too far, feeling like his body is heavy and is unable to get any closer to Mashiba. He knew that his fists nor boxing betrayed him, deeming the latter fair. He thought about how he got locked up for something stupid, which made him miss out on his training and weight control. Rosario believed if someone submerges themselves in arrogance, they will get properly punished. He thought that boxing is as fair as it gets, and he was the one who betrayed it. He noted how his stamina hit rock bottom due to rapid weight loss and lack of training and his legs are cramping up due to dehydration. He believed that the amount of training Mashiba has been accumulating over the years and months prior to this match, and Mashiba using his sincere fists, caused the right body blows to eat right through him. Rosario saw Mashiba as a pure boxer. Mashiba began throwing Flicker Jabs at Rosario, who was trying to get close to the challenger. While blocking the barrage, Rosario regretted letting Mashiba catch his breath, however, he could feel himself regaining strength, being able to move his feet forward again.
Rosario getting hit by a Chopping Right.
After focusing on breathing, Rosario hardened his block and rushed forward, slipping past Mashiba's Flicker Jabs and made his way to Mashiba. Rosario believed a brawl will be good enough to take down Mashiba, wanting to win and start over with no betrayals, not wanting to return to an unfair world. Mashiba and Rosario entered a close-range exchange of blows where both boxers block and dodge each other's punches. Rosario blocked his body when he saw Mashiba getting ready to throw a right body blow. Much to Rosario's shock, Mashiba raised his right fist and threw down a Chopping Right. As Rosario was unable to react in time, the technique landed on his face, sending him down. Rosario regained consciousness at the count of four and begins getting up. At the count of six he put up his fighting pose and felt pain everywhere on his body, as well as noticing that his stamina had reach the bottom. Rosario wished to stay longer in this time of fairness, and stick with Mashiba to the end. After getting hit by a left, Rosario was unsteady. Mashiba tried to throw a right, however, their left legs collide, causing Mashiba to trip and fall. After Mashiba got up from the slip, both boxers threw a left. Mashiba was the one to land his left, hitting Rosario's face and sending him stumbling to the ropes. The referee got in-between them as the sixth round ended. As Rosario got up to leave his corner, Rosario told Mr. Bin that he will definitely be coming back to Japan.
Rosario hanging onto the ropes as Mashiba barely misses his attack.
In the seventh round, after hitting each other in a dual exchange, Mashiba and Rosario had a close-range exchange where both boxers hit each other without dodging due to them being at their limits. After they both take many punches, Rosario fell down. After getting back up, he was approached and attacked by Mashiba, getting hit with a left body blow and right straight that went through his guard. As Rosario began to fall from the right, he determined that he has no strength left to fight, but before falling he intended to do one final thing. Rosario, planning to come back to Japan to face Mashiba again, began throwing a left as Mashiba threw a right. While both boxers were throwing their punches, Rosario's right foot knocked Mashiba's left foot, and he leaned forward slightly, causing Mashiba's attack to miss and Rosario's to land, hitting Mashiba's face. Mashiba stepped back, then threw a left uppercut while leaning back, landing a direct hit on Rosario. Hanging on with one arm on the ropes, Rosario planned to train hard and come back to Japan, leaving his belt with Mashiba until then. Mashiba began to throw a Chopping Right as a follow-up attack, however as Mashiba threw his Chopping Right, his fist just barely missed the defenseless Rosario's face. The Tōhō coach frantically got into the ring as Mashiba fell over, catching him before he fell. Rosario was shocked as the referee signalled the end to the match with Rosario as the winner, defending his WBC world lightweight title. Rosario leaves the ring while telling his seconds that he will definitely be coming back to Japan.
Match History[]
| Match History | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Result | Record | Date | Opponent | Location | Time | Type | Notes |
| 26 | WIN | 21-2-0 (3) | 2000-08-15 |  Ryō Mashiba
|
Yokohama, Japan | 7(12) | TKO | "Judgement Day" WBC Lightweight Title Defence |
| ? | WIN | Unknown | 2000 |  Juan García
|
N/A | ?(12) | KO | WBA Lightweight Title Match[11] |
Appearance[]
Rosario's appearance.
Rosario has a muscular build, light coloured eyes, a white cross tattoo on the middle of his forehead, no eyebrows, and light coloured hair that is twirled around in multiple spots in a way that resembles tubes. The hairstyle requires Rosario to go to a salon to have it done. Before becoming a professional boxer, Rosario's hair was slicked back. After coming back from jail before his world title defence match against Mashiba, Rosario's hair was down and unkempt before going to a salon to get it twirled back to his usual hairstyle. In his world title match against Juan, his hair was styled into multiple spikes. When his hairstyle comes undone during a match, his hair stays standing up.
Rosario with unkempt hair.
His attire while he was in Puerto Rico before his match against Mashiba consisted of a white cross necklace, an open dark coloured shirt with nothing underneath, and black shorts. Upon arriving to Japan, Rosario wore a light coloured hat, a light coloured coat over a dark coloured shirt and tie, dark coloured dress pants, and light coloured dress shoes. While getting ready in his waiting room before his match against Mashiba, Rosario wore a shirt that had the "Judgement Day" slogan from the match's match poster. His ring entrance attire is a light coloured robe with a symbol of a cross on the back of it and on the front top left. His ring attire consists of light coloured boxing shorts that have a dark coloured belt area, and a coloured cross symbol on the sides, while his shoes are light coloured with dark coloured socks.
Personality[]
Rosario holding a gun.
Rosario is described as "world level evil," as rumours continuously come up that he has done every crime but murder, however, Fujii noted that he may have committed murder as well. Rosario has been involved in crimes almost his whole life, as even in his teens he was scouted into a criminal organisation. He carries a gun everywhere he goes, and when he wasn't allowed to carry a gun on the plane to Japan, he was annoyed about it.[12] He is also not afraid to say that crushing people's lives is his hobby.[13] He is very irritable and violent, willing to shoot a dog with a gun because it was being loud, and even shooting a bullet past Mr. Bin, almost hitting him for being loud as well. Rosario takes a liking of motioning firing a gun while shadowboxing.[14]
Rosario doesn't listen to anyone, even if it is to help him, as he shot a gun despite Mr. Bin telling him that it would cause a huge incident and the police would be involved.[15] Rosario was annoyed when the Japanese did not seem to care about his presence, wanting everyone to pay attention to him when he first arrived to Japan. Rosario dislikes Mashiba, as he shot a picture of him with a gun and hit it with his fists, as well as wanting to wreck his happiness.[16] However, Rosario began to respect Mashiba during the sixth round of their match, where he viewed Mashiba as a pure boxer.[17]
He gets frustrated when he is unable to do what he wants, deeming the whole world as "wrong," and when he is unhappy, he wishes to make everyone around him as unhappy as he is.[18] This twisted mindset originated when he worked for a criminal organisation, when at some point someone provided intel to the authorities, where suspicion fell on him, albeit seemingly with no evidence and he was attacked and apparently left for dead. He believed this unfairness to be unwarranted and directed his anger at the people who didn't suffer the same level of misfortune, believing it unjust that (in his view) only he suffered while others did, which sparked his psychopathic mindset of making others suffer the same way he does. This warped view extends to extremely petty levels, as he was irritated that Mashiba could easily pass the weigh-in, whereas he failed it, blaming him and the world for this "unfairness".
Feeling betrayed by everything in his life, he decided to rely on his fists, the only thing he felt did not betray him by becoming a professional boxer.[19] He believes that his fists and boxing are the only things that hasn't betrayed him. While he thinks many things are unfair, he deems that boxing is fair.[20] When he began to question if boxing betrayed him, he admits that he was the one who betrayed boxing.[21]
Boxing Abilities[]
Being the WBC lightweight world champion and an in-fighter and Southpaw indicates that Rosario is a highly skilful boxer that excels at in-fighting. He is noted as being strong by Fujii[22] and Mr. Bin, which the latter details that even when facing someone who has a weapon, just having Rosario by one's side is enough to make them feel safe.[23] He is also considered the strongest lightweight boxer in the world by Masaru Aoki[24]
Physical Ability[]
With eighteen out of twenty wins being in knockouts, Rosario has considerable strength. His punching power is able to knock back an opponent after hitting their block.[25] His hand speed and step-in are deemed fast, being able to close in on his opponent with extreme speed.[26]
Technique[]
Rosario's method of overtaking a non-Southpaw user's front foot while stepping in.
Specialising in in-fighting, Rosario is noted by Ippo Makunouchi to be a very aggressive in-fighter.[27] Rosario has a long history of rough fights. The moment the gong sounds, he always closes in on his opponents.[28] He made the WBA lightweight world champion Juan, who also had great skill in in-fighting struggle, as he in-fought harder by bulldozing his way in.[29] Ichirō Miyata considers Rosario's brawling ability as extraordinarily high.[30] He is also considered to fight instinctively.[31] His punches come out from weird angles, which makes it hard to dodge.[32] Against boxers who aren't Southpaws, Rosario is able to overtake their left foot with his right foot the moment he steps in, putting him in an advantageous position.[33]
Fouls[]
Rosario mixes fouls such as headbutts, elbows, and knees with his combinations.[34] Two of his losses and three of his no contests were due to his headbutting, which caused his opponent to be unable to continue because of bleeding. However, he seemingly makes it difficult to tell to others if the headbutting is on purpose or not.[35]
Weaknesses[]
Due to being locked up in prison and not getting out until close to the date of his match against Mashiba, he didn't have the time to get any good training in, and had to rush his weight control. This caused him to drink less fluids, causing dehydration, which made his legs cramp up during the match. Him rushing his weight control and his lack of training also took a toll on his stamina during his match against Mashiba.[36]
Trivia[]
- Even though Rosario defeated the WBA champion Juan García, it seemingly was changed to Rosario being WBC champion:
- In Round 1366 and Round 1437, it is confirmed Rosario fought and defeated WBA lightweight champion Juan García, gaining the WBA title.
- In Round 1429, the match poster has Rosario as the WBC lightweight champion.
- In Round 1445, the Tōhō coach claimed that the WBA representative is at his gym when talking about Rosario's disappearance.
- The match poster erroneously has Rosario's total matches as 22. It was fixed in the tankōbon release, which changed it to 25.
References[]
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