Yahoo?s Kevin Iole is one of sport?s better writers and he was within his right to push for a third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez after the Mexican?s convincing victory over Michael Katsidis on Sunday (Philippine time).
I have problems with his arguments though.
A third fight with Marquez is not bad at all. But I don?t think it is the best for Pacquiao.
There is nothing more left for Pacquiao to prove against Marquez.
Marquez, in turn, had his chances ? twice.
I agree that many would like to see a third fight between the two Hall of Fame bound fighters. But I doubt if their enthusiasm is about wanting to see who the better fighter is. I believe many are just eager to see how Pacquiao will finally knock out Marquez.
The bottom line here is, with Pacquiao being the man in boxing, everybody wants to get a piece of him.
Everybody also agree that the best fight out there is the one between the two best welterweights today who also happen to be the best fighters in their generation ? Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Without Mayweather, I don?t agree that the best available fight for Pacquiao is Marquez.
Pacquiao is now simply too big for Marquez who has slowed down considerably over the last two years. True, Marquez looked fast against Katsidis last Sunday but only because the defense-deficient Australian came charging which played well into the Mexican?s counterpunching style.
In boxing, you can only be as accurate as your willing target.
Marquez against Pacquiao is a different matter. It will be Marquez going after Pacquiao if and when the two fight for a third and, hopefully, the last time.
Pacquiao had already fought Marquez going up in weight (as a featherweight) and coming down (shedding a lot of pounds to meet the lightweight limit). If a third one pushes through, it should be at a weight where Pacquiao is comfortable at. And at 147 pounds, Pacquiao is simply too strong and durable against Marquez. If the Pacquiao-Margarito was a mismatch, I don?t see a Marquez fight any better than that.
Pacquiao boxed and bled his way to the top of the boxing heap. On the way, he took fights other boxers would have avoided. He allowed himself to be exploited (Murad Muhammad) and shortchanged (in the Ricky Hatton fight).
Now that he has hit pay dirt, it is time for some pay back.
He can now choose which opponent to take next at what price and conditions.
Others may cry their hearts out pushing for their favorite boxer but Manny is now in the position to pick his opponent.
Nobody can accuse Manny of avoiding anybody. He fought bigger men. He fought smaller opponents. He fought the best and emerged victorious except for one ? against Erik Morales ? whom he stopped twice over in two rematches.
Hell, Manny could fight Sergio Martinez next for all we care or even call out Mike Tyson. But Marquez can?t say Pacquiao is avoiding him and nobody should dictate who Manny fights next because the only meaningful fight left is the one against Mayweather.
Short of Mayweather, the next best thing is not Marquez. It is Manny choice, whether we like it or not. And that we have to content ourselves with.
Come on let us admit it.
Unless somebody is coming up with a sinister plot to discredit Manny by insisting on fights he has nothing to win, record or prestige wise, we have no choice but to take what Manny puts on the table.
But since Manny has been accused of fighting washed up guys, why not give young and upcoming welterweights their chance to earn big bucks? Indeed, why not?
