It's the third time around for Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez
 By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Nov 07, 2011) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © German Villasenor)
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By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing: On November 12, archrivals Manny Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez are set to square off one more time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In their first fight, Pacquaio, (53-3, 38 KOs) came out of the gates like an unbroken mustang. He knocked Marquez (53-5, 39 KOs)
down three times and broke his nose. Somehow, the gutsy Mexican warrior
survived, and by round four, he was back in the fight.
With
Marquez showing the resiliency of a superhero, the fight turned into a
war of attrition with both fighters landing wicked shots. Marquez
staggered Pacquaio in round seven and again later in the fight. The
decision, when announced, disappointed everyone. A draw demanded a
rematch, which unfortunately took four years to secure.
In
2008, they met for the second time. Marquez, jumped out to a lead on
all the scorecards, but Pacquiao possesses the great equalizer. With his
back against the ropes, he unleashed it, flooring Marquez with a
perfectly thrown inside hook that Marquez never saw. By the end of the
fight, Pacquiao’s face was bloody and battered. The judges awarded
Pacquiao the decision by one point, which infuriated the Marquez camp.
Though respectful of his ability Pacquiao has grown tired of Marquez’s constant complaining about the decisions.
“Juan
Manuel Marquez has the right to make alibis about not winning our two
previous fights, “ Pacquiao told Primetime. ”I want to end all the
questions he has raised about who won our past fights and who the
better fighter is.”
For his part, Marquez is just as determined as Pacquiao.
"Now
it's time to shed doubt over who the best fighter is," Marquez said
during a conference call. ”I want to win this fight because I believe I
won the first two fights."
Marquez
is a tremendous fighter at 135 pounds. Though slowing down a bit at age
38, he continues to be one of the most impressive combination punchers
the sport has produced in the last twenty years. He’s tough as nails and
as determined as a bull stalking a matador. This aggressiveness could
be his undoing. Marquez has hit the canvas six times in his professional
career, four of those from punches administered by Pacquiao.
The
32-year-old Pacquiao has improved dramatically since 2004 with the help
of trainer Freddie Roach. Other than his fights with Marquez and Eric
Morales, Pacquiao has dominated his opposition. His bouts have been
clinics in brutality (Antonio Margarito); beat downs (Miguel Cotto); and
shutouts (Joshua Coffey). Pacquiao’s speed gave Marquez fits during
their previous bouts. A bulked up Marquez could be an eyelash slower.
Pacquiao should be able to exploit some of Marquez's flaws.
Another
intangible is the desire of both fighters. Marquez talks of revenge but
it’s Paquaio who has more to lose. He genuinely seems annoyed at some
of Marquez’s antics, like wearing a tee shirt in public that proclaims
“WE WERE ROBBED”. Paquaio's annoyance at Marquez's insolence is obvious.
Marquez
has indicated that he has no fear of Pacquaio. The only thing Pacquiao
might fear is his wife, who might be drawing up divorce papers. As the
countdown to the fight gets closer, Pacquiao looks primed and ready to
go.
As
for the fight, it’s virtually impossible to pick against Pacquaio. His
advantages in speed and power will reveal themselves immediately.
Marquez will have his moments again, connecting with lead rights on
Pacquiao’s chin. However, the determined little man from the Philippines will soldier on, breaking down and ultimately stopping Marquez late in the fight.
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