This weekend Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38KO’s) and Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39KO’s) collide for a third meeting at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their first encounter happened over 7 years ago on April 5th, 2004 in the same arena at the featherweight limit for Marquez’s two alphabet belts (IBF & WBA) which resulted in a draw in a blood and guts fight that saw Marquez floored 3 times only to get up and put up the fight of his life. Their second encounter took place March 15th of 2008 at the junior featherweight limit of which was also a hotly contested affair, with a controversial split decision ending in favor of Pacman. Each man has taken a different journey to get this third encounter.
Manny Pacquiao has stormed through 5 divisions from 130-154 lbs, winning an alphabet trinket in each of the respected divisions, only losing one fight along the way to Erik Morales which he twice avenged via stoppage. Marquez on the other hand has had his ups and downs and won the lineal lightweight championship belt and defended it against formidable opposition. The only time that Marquez has ventured north of the lightweight limit of 135 versus any recognizable opposition was September 19th 2009 versus Floyd “Money” Mayweather in a lop-sided decision loss. The odds started at 9-1 in favor of Pacquiao as he not only has defeated greater competition since their first meeting, but has done so in spectacular fashion. Marquez has had to get off the canvas a few times and battle valiantly to defend his lightweight belt en route Saturday’s fight.
There are plenty storylines here and there are several unanswered questions that will finally have conclusion. Will Pacquiao, 32, finally knock Marquez down and out? Or will Marquez, 38, finally get the nod he feels he deserved and conclude his 26 year boxing career? I am putting my money on Marquez to come out with a huge upset. I can see Marquez landing a left uppercut-hook (the punch seen on HBO’s 24/7 popping the speed bags) and knocking Pacquiao out. Pacquiao may want this too much and make a costly mistake that causes him to lose in dramatic fashion. We know that Marquez has climbed off the canvas and won fights. What is a known fact is that when Pacquiao has been legitimately knocked down; he does not been able to beat the count.
Do tune in to Saturday’s fight on HBO PPV and witness what may be the third mega-war between these two courageous warriors that carry their country’s pride on their shoulders and always come to fight and leave everything in the ring. It’s not every day we get to witness two great fighters in the pinnacle of their careers face each other.
Thank you,
Keymo
Here's highlights from the previous two battles!!
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