The current pound-for-pound king has had trouble with only one boxer during his historic run — Juan Manuel Marquez. Since there is no one else to fight, Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) has made the right decision to settle the score with Marquez.
When Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs) and Pacquiao fought at 126 lbs. and 130 lbs., Pacquiao was pushed to the limit. It can even be argued that if it wasn’t for a Pacquiao knockdown in the third round of their second fight the PacMan would’ve lost.
After a string of fights that barely tested Pacquiao’s ability, boxing pundits are predicting another Pacquiao mismatch. I beg to differ.
Their third fight will be at a 144 lbs catchweight; a weight where Pacquiao has experienced continued success and has retained his trademark speed and vaunted power. As Pacquiao dominated as he went up in weight, Marquez struggled in his only fight above 135 lbs. The Mexican warrior looked like he was fighting in quicksand against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their 144 lbs. catchweight match.
While Marquez did struggle at a heavier weight, it wasn’t the added pounds that made him sluggish and slow. It was the contrast of styles between him and Mayweather.
Marquez looked bad at 142 lbs. because he was forced to be the aggressor against Mayweather. Not being an offensive fighter, Marquez had to bring the fight to Mayweather. Clearly, this isn?t his style. Marquez becoming an offensive fighter overnight just doesn?t happen. It was like watching Charles Barkley try and lose weight. It?s just not possible. The fight against Mayweather was an ugly match-up for him. In addition, Mayweather?s speed and skill made him look doubly bad.
Experts say that Pacquiao is stronger and faster at welterweight and Marquez will be destroyed on November 12. This is a misconception. Pacquiao was already the stronger and faster fighter when the two fought at featherweight and junior lightweight. And yet Marquez still gave Pacquiao all he could handle.
Marquez’s style was no match for Mayweather’s elusiveness, ring generalship, and overall physical advantage. He was bound to lose that fight. Against Pacquiao though, it’ll be a different story.
They say styles make fights. Marquez’s style is the perfect antidote to Pacquiao’s offensive onslaught. His sharp counterpunching and timing have given Pacquiao’s offensive game trouble.
Their third fight will be as exciting as the first two. Even at a catchweight of 144 lbs., Marquez still possesses the skill set to give Pacquiao another run for his money.
