Following their classic battle to a draw back in 2004, then featherweights Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao split ways and took very different paths in their respective careers despite the fans wishes for a rematch.
Marquez would go on to win a couple of fights that were out of reach of the spotlight. Then after nearly a year off and a fruitless loss in Thailand for practically peanuts had many wondering if a rematch would ever happen.
Pacquiao meanwhile would cement his dominance of the featherweight division participating in seven world title fights, including a trilogy with future hall of famer Erik Morales. After each fighter defeated an uninspiring Marco Antonio Barrera, a rematch for supremacy of the super featherweight division absolutely had to happen.
Last night inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Top Rank, Inc., a rematch was had that tried to once and for all answer who was the better fighter and just as in 2004, a controversial decision followed. When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs) walked away from their second battle this time not with a draw, but a very close and hard fought split decision victory over multiple time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs).
It was improbable that the first round of their rematch would be as thrilling as the first round of their first meeting, where back in 2004, Marquez was knocked down three times.
This time the two warriors met and peppered each other rather evenly in the opening round of the twelve round championship fight. A right uppercut from Marquez landed low but had no effect as the two fighters headed to back to their respective corners at the end of the round. Pacman was able to sweep the close round on all three judges? scorecards.
With chants of ?Ole Ole Ole? reverberating throughout the arena, the pro Marquez crowd cheered on the defending WBC super featherweight champion, who executed with surgical precision. Marquez was practically reeling Pacquiao in by boxing and engaging the stronger fighter. Pacquiao played into Marquez? game plan and failed to make the most of his physical advantage. Marquez clearly suppressed the Filipino?s speed which is most effective weapon with combinations.
With few combinations from Pacquiao and many counters from Marquez the see-saw battle began. A left-right-left hook from Marquez as the round ended definitely shook Pacquiao and livened up the crowd.
A straight right hand from Marquez was felt by Pacquiao early in the third as the talented Mexican continued to find his target. An accidental clash of heads caused a temporary pause to the bout.
Pacquiao landed a jab-straight combination and then a left hook flush to the chin of his opponent put him on his back and the crowd on its feet. Beating the count with seconds left in the round Marquez fought to survive to the bell. Pacquiao made every effort to stop that from happening by battering the weak kneed Marquez almost to submission as he slipped upon the ropes to end the exciting round. The bell then rang to end the third round. Marquez actually then followed Pacquiao back to the wrong corner as he was still shaky from the thrashing he had just endured.
Pacquiao tried picking up where he left off in the fourth, but Marquez battled back reminding the heavy handed southpaw that he was still in the fight. Pacquiao was still hot on the trail of Marquez who seemed slightly hesitant to counter.
The volcanic crowd erupted with excitement. Right jab, straight, and a left stunned Marquez, who fired back with his opponent?s back against the ropes. The vocal crowd shook the Mandalay Bay Event Center as every connecting power punch sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Marquez battled back with a counter overhand right that landed well with under a minute to go in the fifth followed by another straight right. A straight right again from Marquez followed by a left uppercut and over hand right gave him control once more.
A clash of heads had Marquez bleeding from the outside of his right eye. Referee Kenny Bayless had a ringside physician examine the cut and clear the fight to continue.
Immediately after restarting a right from Pacquiao stuns Marquez and the two trade heavily to finish the seventh.
The close action continued into the eighth round as a right hand from Marquez opened up a cut on Pacquiao?s right eye. Pacman brushed at his bloody eye with his glove making it clear the bleeding skewed his vision.
Marquez backed Pacquiao up to the ropes working a left hook to his body. A half blind Pacquiao rushed after Marquez, who was easily able to side-step and make his opponent miss. Marquez landed at will during the round as he took full advantage of the cut effecting Pacquiao?s sight.
Entering the ninth round the bleeding had stopped but the eye of Pacquiao was swollen with his white shorts sprinkled with his own blood while Marquez continued to land accurately. An on target straight left from Pacquiao reminded the calculated Marquez of the power the southpaw has. Referee Kenny Bayless halted the action to have a ringside doctor again inspect the cut caused by head butt earlier in fight, however afterward the bout continued.
With very little separating the two fighters on the scorecards, a looping overhand left rocked Marquez almost dropping him as his wobbly knees barely held up. Pacquiao jumped on his weakened opponent with a right-left counter and took control of the round.
For the third time in the contest referee Kenny Bayless warned Marquez to keep punches up.
Entering the championship rounds, Bayless calls time for a low blow left hook from Marquez. Pacquiao shakes off the unintentional low blow as the crowd voices their displeasure.
The two fighters exchange heavily to end the eleventh round both appeared to be making a final push neither willing to give up the last rounds.
As the fighters ended the twelfth and final round the crowd roared as each side was certain their fighter was ahead. A big right hand from Marquez followed by an uppercut from Marquez had the crowd on its feet with under a minute to go. Pacquiao countered and traded as his corner continued to call for him fight to the bell.
The two fighters finished the contest with both fighters having raised their arms in victory as fans, trainers, fighters, and sports books eagerly awaited the decision.
Michael Buffer soon announced that there was a new WBC super featherweight champion as Manny Pacquiao won the bout via a split decision. Judges Tom Miller scored the bout 114-113 and Duane Ford 115-112 for Pacquiao while Jerry Roth had it 115-112 for Marquez in what was a very close bout to call. FightNews scored the razor thin contest 115-113 for Marquez.
?The knock down did not affect me, but like in 2004, it is not just about one round,? said a dejected Marquez, ?I haven?t lost anything at all. The people know I won this fight. The fight is not one round, I connected more punches more jabs I feel like I won. The people are the best judges. The people including him know that I won.?
The close contest and decision left many wanting more and most feeling as though Marquez deserved a rematch, again. Pacquiao states a rematch will not happen.
?I don?t think so. This business is over,? said Pacquiao of a possible rematch. ?I wasn?t sure but I always treat the final round as most important and I wasn?t going to take any chances. Marquez countered a lot more and moved around a lot more this time,? added the newly crowned WBC super featherweight titlist.
?When my eye got cut it made it difficult. But I feel I won the fight and I am happy to go on now,? said Pacman
Future hall of fame Freddie Roach saw the contest much closer than what he would have liked from his fighter. ?It was close but we came back at the end. It could?ve gone either way. Manny fought with him around the ring too much. Marquez may have had something to do with that. Manny was more disciplined in training than he was tonight.?
Any thoughts of a trilogy with Marquez are vanished as Pacquiao stated he is done with the featherweight division and will next be seen fighting for a lightweight title possibly against David Diaz who had a less than stellar performance earlier in the evening. ? Victor Perea
