IT?S trilogy time in the boxing world as Manny Pacquiao finally gives Juan Manuel Marquez a chance to avenge the two controversial results that came at the end of two great tussles between the pair.
Way back in 2004 the pair fought for the first time with the WBA ?super? and IBF titles in the featherweight division at stake, both owned by Marquez.
The fight got off to a sensational start as the whirlwind attacks of the Pac Man had immediate results ? Marquez being dropped three times in the first round. The fight seemed as good as over and a new champion about to be crowned. But Marquez?s fabulous boxing brain, and warrior spirit, saw him through the torrid opener and he seemed to win virtually every round after by outboxing a surprised Pacquiao.
Many thought Marquez deserved the win, myself included, but a draw was announced and the two fighters went their separate ways.
It would be four years until Pacquiao?s team risked their man in a rematch and after the final bell you understood why. This time Marquez would be defending his WBC super-featherweight title.
Yet again, a very close high quality fight went to the scorecards and produced another controversial decision.
Again many thought Marquez did enough, more thought that a draw was a fair result, but this time Manny walked away with a split decision win. Marquez has always felt robbed in
the two fights and has chased a third showdown ever since.
Over three and a half years on and Marquez finally gets his wish. But is it too late?
Marquez has looked a lot older in recent times, at 38 he is very old for the lighter weights. Let?s not forget his best days were probably at feather and super-featherweight. He has shown he is effective at lightweight but when he stepped up to 142lbs to fight a Mayweather he looked way too slow and ponderous and looked tiny in comparison to the flashy Pretty Boy.
Pacquiao by contrast has developed physically as he has moved through the divisions and has proven too strong for several big strong welterweights.
Manny hasn?t needed to weigh more than 145lbs but that?s still plenty enough above Marquez? best weight.
Marquez has one of the best boxing brains in the business and knows what he needs to do in any situation. He can adapt to whatever situation arises in the fight.
But the odds are stacked in Manny?s favour this time round and looking as fresh, sharp and strong as the Pac-Man has been it?s very hard for me to make a case for Marquez.
I?m a big fan of both men, more so of the Pacquiao when you look at what he has done for the sport, but I can?t help feeling that he has waited until he knows Marquez is at a disadvantage before taking him on to complete the trilogy.
While I was in Mexico with Ryan Rhodes I spoke with Marquez on the telephone, (he?s not a fan of Alvarez!) and when the conversation turned to how he was and how long he felt he was going to go on for, he spoke with such confidence regarding his capabilities even at this advanced age.
He believes he has the ring smarts and tools to beat anyone out there despite being at a disadvantage. He seems a really open and friendly person and was very likable. So if I?m honest I?m hoping he pulls off a shock victory as he didn?t have to take time out to speak with me.
The man I had arranged to look after us out in Mexico was a lifelong friend of Marquez, trained together, fought together and their families spent time together. But even he has said to me that he was sad that the fight was so long in coming as it?s too late in the Mexican?s career and he was worried Manny would be way too strong and sharp for his good friend.
Juan Manuel Marquez is a Mexican legend whatever the result of the third meeting between him and Manny Pacquiao, unfortunately I just can?t see him getting a ?w? out of their trilogy, a ?w? that he deserves.
