“Unfinished Business”
Despite besting Marco Antonio Barrera in their rematch on October of 2007, many people were being critical of Manny Pacquiao’s suddenly souring reputation. His many distractions were starting to catch-up on his public image as lawsuits flew from a slew of various matters that was associated with him like an alleged tax evasion on a vehicle he brought in from abroad to rumors and controversies linking his name to an actress he starred in a film in. His alleged gambling and other extra-curricular activities were also taking heat from the media and his fans. And with a ho-hum performance against Barrera, people were also wondering whether all the distractions were also catching up on Pacquiao’s boxing career.
During the Christmas season, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach and his promoter Bob Arum stepped in to intervene and reminded Pacquiao the significance of his actions and his career. Roach and Arum took their turns in flying in from the states to the Philippines and sat Pacquiao down to address issues regarding his boxing career. Arum and Roach laid down an ambitious outline of possible mega-fights and title fights that would propel Pacquiao as one of the greatest the sport has ever seen, but before any of those could come true, it had to start from the source. Pacquiao had to understand and realize that despite his good nature, there were certain sacrifices he had to take to take his career to the next level.
Pacquiao’s career was yet at another crossroads. Will he follow suit to the requests of his trainer and promoter? Or would he be content with the accomplishments and riches he had already achieved? Next in line was some unfinished business. Juan Manuel Marquez was lined up to face Pacquiao anew. Four years after their epic clash in 2004 that garnered fight of the year accolades, both fighters would find themselves crossing paths once again. This time Marquez had the WBC super featherweight belt at stake and The Ring belt was also up for grabs.
For Marquez, it was personal. He was the last Mexican standing in the list of Mexican legends Pacquiao set forth in conquering. He also claimed that he was victorious and was robbed of a victory in his previous outing with Pacquiao wherein he came back from three first round knockdowns to masterfully box Pacquiao majority of the way. Incidentally one of the judges for that bout admitted an error he committed in scoring the first round 10-7 instead of 10-6 in favor of Pacquiao due to the three knockdowns which would’ve given Pacquiao a split-decision win. Regardless of the result however, everybody that knew anything about boxing knew they had to do it again.
And again they would in a bout fittingly dubbed “Unfinished Business”. On March 15, 2008 the rematch boxing fans were clamoring for was finally going to take place. The venue was the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and right from the promotional tours through the weigh-ins, passionate Mexican and Filipino fight fans received the bout with ardent support. It was another chapter to be added to the Philippines-Mexico rivalry that was initiated by Pacquiao’s dominance of the best boxers in the divisions he dwelled in who happened to be Mexicans.
The fight started off with Marquez picking up where he left off. He wasn’t landing a lot of shots but was definitely giving Pacquiao a hard time figuring out his approach as he used excellent footwork and counterpunching in keeping Pacquiao off-balanced.
Pacquiao was pounding his gloves already, signs that he was getting frustrated and flustered by Marquez. He still managed to outwork Marquez however though by connecting with more punches although it was evident that the pace of the fight started off favoring Marquez.
In the second round Pacquiao was still looking tentative but was definitely trying to be the aggressor. Marquez was fighting an intelligent fight however and seemed to have an answer for anything Pacquiao tried on him. Pacquiao was changing up his approach using double-jabs and doing some counterpunching of his own and using in-and-out movement to try and penetrate Marquez’s defense. In the dying seconds of the round, Marquez tagged Pacquiao with a perfect left hook that dazed the Pac Man and had his legs wobbly. It was Marquez’s best punch ever against Pacquaio, unfortunately for him though, the bell sounded and he wasn’t able to capitalize on the effects of the devastating blow.
Obviously shaken, Pacquiao retreated to his corner and was shaking his head as his trainer Freddie Roach gave him instructions. Despite the hit though, Pacquiao was still smiling as if acknowledging he got tagged by a good shot; challenges like this is what Pacquiao lives for. He was born to be a prize fighter.
The third round opened with Pacquiao continuing to look tentative and Marquez sticking to his game plan of waiting for Pacquiao to counterpunch and living off his aggression. In the last 30 seconds of the round, Pacquiao landed one of his vicious left crossed on Marquez that seemed to have the Mexican dazed as he was backpedalling. Pacquiao stalked Marquez while Marquez tried to fend him with jabs. At the 23 second mark, Pacquiao landed a powerful counter left hook that sent Marquez crashing to the canvas with his feet up in the air. Marquez gallantly got back up on his feet while receiving his standing 8 as the round was about to close. Pacquiao jumped on Marquez and hit him with another flurry that would’ve knocked Marquez down a second time had he not been able to hang on the ropes. After the bell sounded, Marquez still looking very much out of it was following Pacquiao to his corner as if he had lost his sense of direction. Referee Kenny Bayless redirected him to his corner where he was met with a concerned look from his trainer Nacho Beristain’s face.
And just like that, Pacquiao changed the complexion of the fight with the most devastating punch in the sport. What a weapon to have for any boxer, and Pacquiao’s left has knocked down more men than any one punch in the sport in recent memory.
In round 4, Pacquiao started strong and seemed to have gotten a rhythm for the first time in the fight. He was coming in and out and hitting Marquez with his punches with better precision than the previous 3 rounds. Marquez kept backing off, showing signs that he hasn’t completely recovered from the knockdown. Pacquiao repeatedly tagged Marquez with his right jab, left straight combos to the delight of his fans. HBO analyst Emmanuel Stewart commented, “Pacquiao seems to be much stronger now. His confidence looks like it has come back,” as the tempo of the fight started to lean towards Pacquiao’s favor. Marquez would keep trying though and landed some isolated shots, but they were too few and far away from the other to even consider the round competitive. (Pacquiao 10, Marquez 9)
Round 5 opened as HBO commentator Emmanuel Steward showered Pacquiao with high praise. Steward said,
“He loves to fight. You can see it in his eyes. I don’t think there’s ever been anybody in the boxing ring that loves to fight like he does.”
and further elaborated,
“I think that he would be rather doing this than anything in the world. Just looking in his eyes you can see the intensity and the fierceness. Certainly, he is a true fighter.”
The round though was turning back into a boxing match similar to the first two rounds. Marquez seemed to have regained his composure and was picking his spots with increased accuracy, Pacquiao in his part was also showing his improved boxing skills as he utilized his jab more often, picked off Marquez’s punches and also counter-punched when he had an opportunity. This round could’ve definitely gone either way. Compubox did little to help determine the round’s winner as both fighters logged in almost identical numbers with Pacquiao having a one punch edge in connects and Marquez a 2% edge in accuracy. Might as well toss a coin on this one or score it an even round. Depending on what you saw, and ringside judges did not have the privilege of a replay like I do, you can give the round to Pacquiao based on his aggressiveness or to Marquez for dictating the pace and bouncing back. Marquez also landed the best punch of the round with a straight right that connected flush on Pacquiao’s jaw. I’ll give that round to Marquez. (Marquez 10, Pacquiao 9)
Marquez opened round 6 with renewed confidence. He had gotten his bearrings back and Pacquiao seemed like he was starting to doubt himself again. Pacquiao was tentative and Marquez was masterfully outboxing him. HBO commentator Jim Lampyley commented saying “In rounds like this you can feel Juan Manuel Marquez out-thinking Manny Pacquiao.” Marquez countered Pacquiao and caught him out of position on various ocassions. (Marquez 10, Pacquiao 9)
At the midway point of the fight, Pacquiao was ahead my cards 57-56 with both fighters taking 3 rounds each and Pacquiao leading by a point becaise of the knockdown. Coincidentally I have the same scores at this point with HBO analyst Larry Merchant and Harold Lederman during fight night.
Round 7 started similar to how the last two rounds did. The fight was favoring Marquez’s pace and he was looking to continue his success against Pacquiao. In the middle of the round however, both men’s head would clash for an inadvertent headbutt that opened up a cut on Marquez’s right eye. The referee had to stop the bout momentarily for the ringside physician to check the cut and wipe off the blood that was dripping from Marquez’s eye. Sensing blood, Pacquiao jumped on Marquez and turned the fight back into a brawl. He connected in bunches with his combinations as Marquez seemed more like the fighter in round 4 trying to fend off a Pacquiao storm. Around the 1:10 mark, Pacquiao started a flurry that had Marquez wobbly for a second. Everytime Pacquiao fought at his usual relentless pace, it was evident that he came out on top but when he doubts himself and try to box with Marquez, he gets taken to school. In this round though, Pacquiao’s agression saw him through. (Pacquiao 10, Marquez 9)
Marquez opened round 8 with a vengeance. He went straight at Pacquiao and landed clean punches together with a straight right hand that opened a cut on Pacquiao’s left eye. Pacquiao looking obviously bothered by the cut was backpedalling and getting tagged in the process. Pacquiao in the past has had a hard time adjusting to cuts and in this instance, it was his lead eye that got damaged which affected his vision. In one instance, Pacquiao lunged back as if Marquez was stalking him when his opponent was simply standing still. He was having problems locating his opponent and seeing punches. He was practically fighting blind. It was as vulnerable as I’ve ever seen Pacquiao in a fight. He kept trying to fend Marquez off but the cut was really bothering him. Marquez took advantage of the situation as he landed with combinations and perfectly placed punches.
