The first fight, which took place on May 5, 2004, was an all-out war, an instant classic, which ended in a disputed split decision draw?disputed because of such varying scores by the officials and one judges? misinterpretation of the rules.
Manny Pacquiao knocked Juan Manuel Marquez down and all but out in round one of that encounter and was not given the correct point difference on one official?s card. A correct score of 10-6 in favor of Pacquiao on that one card, in that one round, would have given the Filipino battler a split-decision victory. Marquez, from Mexico, fought back tremendously and made it a close contest indeed. Many thought that Marquez deserved the victory in spite of his horrendous first round. It was the kind of fight that deserved an immediate second fight.
Fast-forward to March 15, 2008, in front of 12,000 fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and countless others via HBO?s live simulcast. Juan Manuel Marquez, 48-3-1, 35 KO?s, risks his WBC Super Featherweight Championship against his one-time conqueror and peoples champion, Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao, 45-3-2, 34 KO?s.
Since they last fought, Pacquiao has gone 7-1 with wins over former champions, Erik Morales (twice) and Marco Antonio Barrera (twice). His only defeat was to Morales in the first of their three encounters. Marquez has earned six victories against one defeat in the same time period, beating Barrera and Rocky Juarez and losing to the undefeated Chris John in John?s native Indonesia.
While I wish it had taken place much sooner, it is not often that two of the top three fighters in boxing meet in the ring. This should be an outstanding bout and the fistic world is eagerly waiting for the ringing of the initial round to begin this long anticipated rematch.
Pacquiao at 29 years of age seems to be at the height of his fistic prowess, while Marquez, at 34, may be past his prime. Does Marquez have enough power and cunning to successfully defend his title? Will Pacquaio be focused and unencumbered by his celebrity to pull out the expected victory? We will discover the answer this Saturday evening on HBO Pay Per View.
Also on the card is a WBO Featherweight Championship bout between Steven Luevano. 34-1, 15 KO?s, and the challenger, Terdsak Jandaeng, 29-2, 19 KO?s, as well as a WBC Lightweight Championship match between David Diaz, 33-1-1, 17 KO?s, and Ramon Montano, 15-4-2, 1 KO. Flyweight Abner Mares, 15-0, 9 KO?s, will also see action against Dosdado Gabi, 30-3-1, 22 KO?s.
