Earlier last week, I wrote an article dealing with Pacquiao and
whether his performance against Marquez would be the final evaluation of
how his style has changed. Even after a poor performance on Saturday
night, it seemed clear that there indeed had been a change in style. His
footwork was much better in the third fight and the “Pac-Man” also
approached the fight in a different manner than the first two.
Still, most underestimated Marquez. He was able to time Pacquiao’s
newfound footwork and negate his offense, reinforcing the fact that he
is at Pacquiao’s level and is indeed his true rival. Even with Marquez’s
great performance, most now see Pacquiao in a different light.
“Has Floyd Mayweather - Manny Pacquiao lost its luster?” seems to be
the question everyone is asking now. There have been reports Pacquiao
will seek a fourth fight with Marquez to try and redeem himself instead
of pursuing the fight everyone wants to see. Pacquiao will look to
regain his title of “the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
Why does it matter?
Pacquiao-Marquez IV will always be on the table. It may not be fair
to Marquez, who definitely deserves another fight against Pacquiao but
the time to make Mayweather-Pacquiao is now. It’s the fight people have
wanted to see for the last two years and it seems like Mayweather is
ready to step up to the plate. Instead of Pacquiao trying to retain his
mythical pound-for-pound title, he should fight Mayweather to decide who
the best fighter in the sport is.
For years, fans have been too caught up with the pound-for-pound
myth. When World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez and bantamweight
king Nonito Donaire both won mediocre fights against opponents who were
reluctant to throw punches, the boxing media deemed that it was Pacquiao
and Mayweather- and then everybody else.
So what?
Do the fights people want to see suddenly disappear because key
fighters struggle in their wins? Not most of the time. People are still
craving for Pacquiao-Mayweather. Martinez against either would be an
excellent fight even though he got hit more in his last defense against
Darren Barker. Excellent fights are excellent fights and the order on a
pound-for-pound list doesn’t matter.
More recent articles from Matthew Paras:
Austin Trout Looks for Bigger Opportunities in 2012 Matthew Paras
Pacquiao-Marquez III: Another Measure of Pacquiao’s Improvement Matthew Paras
Thoughts on Bob Arum’s reaction over Floyd Mayweather reserving a MGM date Matthew Paras
If Floyd Mayweather decides to return… Matthew Paras
One more case for Manny Pacquiao’s style… Matthew Paras