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Philippines, 16 Apr 2024 |
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POSTSCRIPT: PACQUIAO VS MARQUEZ II By Nick Alejo PhilBoxing.com Tue, 08 Apr 2008  After Pac demolished Erik Morales in their epic third fight, I felt contented watching on the super delayed feed from our local channel for his next fights. Reason for that is, I felt Pacman was losing his focus on boxing and staring to get swayed to various distractions. There was showbiz and politics and all sorts of other activities outside boxing. He was campaigning for a congressional seat while preparing for his fight with Solis. While for the Barrera fight he decided to train here in the Philippines amidst all the reported distractions in the gym where Pacfans would swarm during his training hours. The major consolation was that he won both fights despite not being totally focused on his training. Then came the Marquez fight. When it was officially announced that after four years Pac and Juan Manuel would engage in a rematch, the first thing I thought was, "If Manny would again sort of take it easy in his preparation, like in his previous fights, I would put my money on JMM." I know Juan would train hard for this fight and given his boxing skills, an unprepared Manny fighting JMM would mean disaster written all over Pacland. But news started to pour in weeks later. "Manny reporting to WCG on time.", "Manny looking in his best form ever.", "this is the hardest training Manny has ever gone through.", "Pacquiao rediscovered his thirst for fighting?" As I read all these news, I started to believe that Pacman was going to knock Juan Manuel Marquez cold.. I predicted a 10th round KO for Pacman. Because like Arum, I believe a totally conditioned, well focused and hungry Pacman would be near to impossible to beat. So what went wrong? Why did it end in the narrowest margin? A 1 point edge in a split decision. As I watched the fight together with fellow Manila Paclanders, I was scoring the fight round by round together with Ronald aka Pedro and Thony818. At the end of the 12th round we had Pacman by 1 point, 114-1113. But I told him, a draw is very possible. "Pare, tabla o panalo tayo.." But deep inside I knew a Marquez victory is not far from happening. As there were one or two very close rounds I'm not sure who to give to... but he was shouting "Kay Manny yun! Kay Manny yun!" So, we gave it to Pacman. I knew if the judges would give those couple of very close rounds to Juan Manuel, Manny would loose. or draw with Marquez. So when Michael Buffer announced the third judge's score of 114-113.. I was all ears, waiting for his next most important word - "STILL" or "NEW"... Then came his next line. And the "NEW" superfeather weight champion of the world.... Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao... The place erupted. It was the accumulated nervousness we held for the entire bout.. Everyone was jumping up and down... everyone was shouting and chanting "Manny.. Manny!.." It was raining booze literally as others started to shake the San Mig lites ala champagne.. Everyone was happy. But I was half happy and half relived that it went Pacquiao's way. As most would say... I know a draw or a Marquez win was very possible. Let's go back to the all important question: So what went wrong? Why did it end in the narrowest margin? a 1 point edge in a split decision despite Pacman's superb conditioning and total focus as reported from his training camp. From the view of an ordinary boxing fan, let's dissect the possible reasons. WEIGHT: Pac on the official weigh-in weighed 129 lbs. He said before the fight that he would like to come in as the bigger guy. And so he did. But maybe he overdid it. He came in at 146lbs (other reports said 147lbs.) I?m not a dietician or a medical expert but by common sense, adding 17 lbs over night seems not right. Some experts say it might have affected his muscles, making it stiff and so that explains his somewhat tentative or awkward movements at times during the fight. His movement was not so Pacman like. This comment is based on a fan who has followed Manny since his 'Blow by Blow' days. From round 1 to round 12, I was waiting for that 5 to 8 punch combos which didn't come. Did nature take its course on Manny and he out grew the 130lbs division? Or did Manny intentionally bulk up to see if he can handle the bigger weight? It is not a secret that Diaz and Hatton, even Oscar, are being mentioned as Pac?s next possible opponent. Maybe Team Pac wanted to see how Manny would fight on a heavier weight. For me, his last fight was not a 100% indication of how he will fair in a heavier weight say 135. Mainly because, I believe there is a difference between draining oneself to 130 then the following day coming in at 147, compared to making the 135 then coming in the next day at 147. There won't be a drastic change in weight for the later and so the body doesn't get that shock effect due to sudden change in weight. Also if Manny would be fighting at 135, he could weigh as much as 145+ while in training and gradually trim down to 135 on the official weigh in then back again to 148 on fight night. But come to think of it, Manny weighed 144 in his third bout with Morales which meant an additional 2 or 3 pounds compared to his last fight with Marquez. But he moved a lot better against Morales. So if it's not the weight, maybe it's the..... STYLE: If there's any indication that Juan Manuel's style could be the most difficult style match up for Manny. Pacfans should simply bring out the Pacquiao DVD dated May 8, 2004. Given the infamous blister and the swollen hand, it takes no rocket scientist to figure out that JMM had Manny's number from round 2 onwards (well, most of the rounds). And if not for the 3 KDs in the very first round, the fight would have gone to Marquez and not end in a draw. (Of course there's also the story of a judge not knowing he's allowed to score a round 10-6 but that's a different story.) A counter puncher vs a slugger equals to a classic match up. But in both fights Manny's power saved him from losing the bout. The three knockdowns in round one and the one knockdown in round three draw/won the fight for Manny. If not for those knockdowns, JMM would have won it or at least earned a draw in the second fight. So, I hope TR would give Manny an in your face opponent for his coming fights, (Paging D.Diaz, Hatton and Valero) not because Manny can't beat a technical boxer like Juan because he already did. But basically because giving Manny an opponent who would stand in front of him and would exchange punches with him in the middle of the ring might bring out the old Pacman that most fans have fell in loved with. The old Pacman we've been missing in his recent fights. Juan Manuel's style of boxing not to mention his boxing brain will always make it a difficult fight for Manny. Even if they fight a dozen times, unless either of them make a 360 change in style or if Manny knocks out JMM cold, their bout will most likely always end in a controversial close decision or a draw. It's like watching Wolverine against Spiderman. It's also worth mentioning about each boxer's ... GAME PLAN: No question Freddie Roach has transformed Manny Pacquiao into a better boxer, a more complete fighter. He's not the recipient of the Trainer of the Year award for nothing. But did Nacho Beristain outsmarted Team Pacquiao in the rematch? Both Manny and Juan came into the ring with a different game plan compared to their first fight. Juan came out a little more aggressive and Manny didn't come in like a typhoon across the Pacific as he did in 2004. Manny was more cautious this time. Juan varied his attack from being aggressive to being a counter puncher. I remember before the fight that Marquez had said: "I'm coming to fight. I'm coming to box. I'm gonna be different." And that's what he exactly did and it somewhat confused Manny. Before the fight Freddie also said something like "We only have plan A and B" maybe he was referring to A, if Juan stands his ground and B, if Juan counter punch. I hope Freddie Roach will have a C, D and E and so on just in case the need arises for Manny's next fight. Because certainly they (Team Pac) needed a C and D plan last Sept. 15. But it seems it wasn't there. And lastly, as some scribes are suggesting. Manny has already hit his peak and now he's on a slow decline. WHAT?! Manny's declining?! I hope and pray NOT!! Maybe we are just used to seeing Manny dominate his opponent and ending the fight with a hellacious knock out. And after seeing Manny edge Juan Manuel by only a point, some have concluded that Pacman is on the decline. I say to them "don?t jump out of the Pacman bandwagon too fast! You might miss some great moments in Pac's career." Let's wait for his next fight and maybe the fight after that then we can somehow asses if indeed nearing his sunset. Because I still believe that part of the reason if not the main reason why Manny had a hard time with JMM is not because Manny is on a decline but rather because Marquez is indeed a great fighter not to mention his difficult style match up for Manny. Pac's next fight seems to be heading towards a 135 title showdown with David Diaz. And with Diaz style of standing and engaging, Manny's next fight would be a good gauge to see where he is in his career right now. Personally, I do believe that Manny's star will shine even brighter in his next couple of fights. Let Juan Manuel wait, we want to see an aggressive opponent against PAC, forget the great counter puncher technician JMM for a moment. I admit Juan can match up great with Manny but we want to see a Pacman show, not a JMM show. We want to see the old whirlwind Pacman against an in your face opponent. I have a feeling we might get our wish on his next fight against Diaz. The author, Nick Alejo, is one of PhilBoxing.com's Forum moderators who goes by the handle of Nikki SixX. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nick Alejo.  |
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