Philippines, 17 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO WATCH: Gamesmanship


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA visitor Juan Manuel Marquez, from whom Manny Pacquiao wrested the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown, was again in his element.

He still refuses to accept the close split decision loss he suffered from Pacquiao.

It's a typical posturing of a man possessed and who probably has two or more fights left of his illustrious but once largely and unfairly ignored pro boxing career.

Until his two memorable and exciting fights with Manny Pacquiao, Marquez wallowed in the shadows of his more famous fellow Mexican ring gladiators who went by the names of Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.

While recognized as a technically gifted boxer with explosive power in both hands on the side, Marquez' natural skills were also his liabilities. He was avoided by marquee fighters wherever division he competed.

It took a Manny Pacquiao to warm up to the world that he is a force to reckon with in the featherweight class. The two fought to a controversial draw when they first clashed in 2004. Bad managerial decision prevented his career from picking up after that memorable clash with Pacquiao.

He lost to Indonesian Chris John after declining a six-figure purse to an immediate rematch with Manny.

His career was resurrected by Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotion who took him under its wing and finally gave him the break he long waited for by pitting him against then reigning WBC super featherweight title holder Marco Antonio Barrera.
Marquez proved what many believed he was by beating Barrera in 12 rounds.

That crossroad victory earned him another crack at Manny.
Marquez was confident he would put a dent on Manny's fared reputation and solidify his claim as the best there is in the super featherweight.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. He lost by the narrowest of margin in a fight so close Marquez insists he won.

Beyond Manny, Marquez knew that he cannot get a match up that will reward him financially and kept boxing fans' interest on him. Golden Boy Promotion also probably reckoned that Marquez is still its best bet against Pacquiao who is now boxing world's biggest draw in the lightweight and super featherweight division. And for less money fighting against lesser known opponents, Marquez won't take the risk of losing and bungling another shot at Manny.

At 34 years old, Marquez knew too well that time is no longer on his side.

Making up for the lost opportunity, both on the side of economics and recognition, Marquez planed in to Manila Sunday and issued a challenged straight face to Manny in front of TV cameras. He was literally begging for a third appointment with Pacquiao atop the ring.

It was a show of gamesmanship to whet the appetite of fans hungry for gore and non-stop exciting action. It was also a well-planned and calculated gamble to lure Manny into agreeing to a third fight with Marquez.

Will Manny take the bite?

Probably.

Will it take soon?

Probably not.

Manny is on a mission to cement his place in the cruel world of boxing. Where only a few has achieved before, Manny wants a piece of boxing history by being in the company of four or five boxers who held four legitimate titles in four different weight categories which eluded him when Barrera abdicated the latter's featherweight crown when the two first fought in 2003. Manny pummeled Barrera across the ring on his way to a spectacular 11th round technical knockout victory.

Manny's next business is to capture the lightweight crown held by David Diaz to achieve what another Filipino boxing great Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde twice failed against Oscar Ortiz now that he already holds the record of being the first Asian boxer to hold crowns in three different weight divisions.

Once Manny got that job done, Marquez can always come back to Manila and he may no longer have to beg Manny in front of the cameras in hearing distance of the Filipino's avid followers.
But his promoter better be ready to give Manny an offer he cannot refuse.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS “COUNTDOWN TO THRILLA IN MANILA” AND “THRILLA IN MANILA 50”
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai Featherweight World Title Showdown Set for Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • Irish welterweight contender Paddy Donovan Positioned for another World title shot
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • DAY ONE: TEAM ASIA LAUNCHES TITLE DEFENCE WITH DOMINANT WHITEWASH AS AJ ‘STARBOY’ MANAS SHINES
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • CONNOR MITCHELL SIGNS FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AND DREAMS OF SURPASSING HIS LEGENDARY FATHER
    , Fri, 17 Oct 2025
  • CONWAY-LIDDARD YORK HALL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • PR Run - Break Your Record on Oct. 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
    , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • Mendoza bags bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • SHANNON RYAN: I'M READY TO BRING 'KAOS' TO YORK HALL THIS WEEK
    , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • Nikita Tszyu Health Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 15 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 OCTOBER 2025: Ennis Wipes Out Lima; Vianello Defeats Barriere; Makhmudov Outpoits Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Omar Juarez Set for Homecoming Clash Against Omar Rosario on October 18 i
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.