SATURDAY FIGHT GOING TO BE A ROUT?
Las Vegas, NV- As we approach the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch Saturday, picking a winner is something split among racial lines. Much like the Democratic Presidential run between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both sides are deeply vested when it comes to choice. When Pacquiao was in San Francisco last week, he displayed speed, punching power, and an overwhelming level of confidence.
WHAT’S HAPPENED SINCE FIRST FIGHT
Pacquiao has been explosive since the majority draw with Marquez in 2004, with his only loss coming in the first cut marred Erik Morales clash in early 2005. He has since thrashed Morales, as well as scaring the spit out of Marco Antonio Barrera, forcing Marco to be content with not getting knocked out. If momentum is the key to this fight, Manny?s the easy pick here.
MARQUEZ HAS SHINED INFREQUENTLY
And while Juan has put together a string of wins since losing to Chris John, the most notable being the 12-round decision over Marco Antonio Barrera last year, he has done little to foster the notion that he can beat the Pacquiao of 2008. Slower, less powerful, and older at 34, Juan Marquez doesn?t have much of a chance Saturday.
PAC AN IN RING MEXICAN-EATING SHARK!
To say Pacquiao goes through Juan like a hot knife piranha through butter is not a stretch. Looking at the pair, Marquez has not gotten any better since the first fight. Pacman, as he likes to called, has developed into a more polished fighter than the ?one armed? bandit that faced Marquez in the initial encounter. The footwork and hand speed, coupled with his developing a right hook that is crunching to say the least, all this means is that Manny?s an improved fighter, while Juan, if he hasn?t regressed, is stagnant at best.
DOES THIS FIGHT APPEAR CLOSE?
Having watched both men for years, it?s clear to me that Manny Pacquiao is a level or two above Marquez at this point. When you look at a common foe like Barrera, the difference is the manner Barrera approached each man. Against Marquez he tried to win. After getting knocked silly by Pacquiao in their first tilt, all Marco did in the second go around was try to survive.
SHOULD JUAN SELL ADS ON HIS SHOE SOLES?
Pacquiao will tear through Marquez like an Indiana tornado. In my mind, this is a payday for Juan, his last! And yes, he should probably sell advertising on the bottom of his boxing boots, for he will at some time be rendered horizontal by the powerful Filipino.
