By Miguel Rivera

Boxing continues to grow in popularity in Mexico and the sport now even surpassing soccer in the television ratings.

According to several media outlets in Mexico, the return of former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who on May 17th defeated Mike Alvarado with a twelve round unanimous decision, drew a final ratings figure of 21 points and about 22 million viewers. The number beat the Mexican soccer final between Leon and Pachuca, which had 18 points and some 19 million viewers.

Marquez's return also beat out the Mexico ratings number generated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his battle against Marcos "Chino" Maidana, which scored 13 points. But Marquez was unable to beat the ratings figure generated by the April 12th rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, which had 24 points.