Don’t be misled by the title of the article. But yes, Juan Manuel Marquez has been saying all along that he had beaten Manny Pacquiao twice in their past two encounters. But that what’s he’s been telling media for many years in the hope that he could land a third fight with the Filipino boxing superstar. His sustained media blitz paid off when Pacquiao agreed to a trilogy on November 12 in Las Vegas, Nev. The truth is they fought to a draw in the first fight way back in 2004 with Marquez suffering three knockdowns and lost in their second bout in 2008 via a split decision. Yet Marquez has been quite successful in conditioning the minds of critics and fans saying he was cheated in the scoreboards on both fights. He claimed he won on points in their first encounter despite the three knockdowns The truth is one judge erred in his scoring and entered a 10-7 score for the three knockdowns in their 2004 first encounter, instead of standard 10-6 for three knockdowns in favor of Pacquiao. With the flawed scoring, Pacquiao could have ran away with a split decision instead of a draw. In their 2008 rematch, Marquez lost to Pacquiao via split decision. Evidently, Marquez landed most power shots at at the Filipino boxing idol but the third round knockdown he suffered from Pacquiao’s powerful left hook was the decisive factor for a split decision. Marquez’ third encounter with Pacquiao is his most lucrative fight thus far. And many critics believe the Mexican counter-puncher should be grateful to Pacquiao for the opportunity to make substantial and life-changing amount of money in his entire boxing career. Still, Marquez continues to claim he was cheated in both fights and if their trilogy in November will end in a draw or split decision he will again claim he was cheated. And surely he will use it to justify another round with the pound for pound king. What should Pacquiao do to silence Marquez and stop him finally for seeking a fourth fight as a result of a possible draw or split decision on November 12? Knock him out in the early rounds?that’s what Pacquiao fans are telling their idol.
