We have all heard it many times coming from famed promoters and boxing legends… Styles makes fights! Some of us are willing to bet that Marquez vs. Pacquiao 3 will be a mismatch at a catch weight of 144lbs. Perhaps it may be that, but I seriously doubt it. I do think it will be competitive once again and a hell of a fight for the judges to score. If I’m right, and Marquez, even at two divisions out of his weight class, still manages to give the Pinoy trouble, then I see him having major problems with Mayweather’s counterpunching abilities! This only tells me that counter-punchers are Pacquiao’s weakness! Now… if he beats Marquez soundly, as Mayweather did, then we’re back to square one and it could prove to be a hell of a fight that could go either way!
The closest Mayweather has come to losing was against Oscar De La Hoya via split decision. I’ve never seen Oscar behind on anyone’s scorecard to my knowledge except for possibly Ike Quartey (came back late in the fight), Felix Sturm (came in out of shape and was handed a gift victory), and “Sweet Pea” Pernell Whitaker (was given another gift decision) after 7 rounds completed. This including the Mayweather and Hopkins fight as well! De La Hoya was beating Mayweather, not by being the better boxer, but just by outworking him. You can’t win many rounds in the eyes of the judges, when you’re getting pounded on the ropes, even though most of the shots being thrown at you are being blocked. Your inactivity will make you lose the round! This will be Pacquiao’s game plan against Mayweather.
“Money” Mayweather, on the other hand, will try and fight at his pace and most probably want to keep the fight in the center of the ring, where he can use his speed and movement to try and pot shot Pacquiao and frustrate him.
Here’s hoping that one day we will see these two fighters in the ring; for now, though, there are more questions than answers:
1) Can their egos be set aside long enough for them to cash in on the richest fight in history (probably $50+ million each)?
2) Can the unfounded steroids claim by Mayweather, which resulted in a lawsuit by Pacquiao, hinder the fight everyone is dying to see?
3) Can the build up of this magnitude collapse if Pacquiao loses to Marquez?
4) Can Mayweather’s legal problems land him in jail and ruin the chances of this fight ever happening?
5) Can Mayweather’s inactivity ruin his chances of making this fight as competitive as it can be or perhaps lose in a tune-up fight?
6) Will Mayweather ever come back to boxing this year or even next year?
7) How long will Pacquiao wait around for Mayweather to come back to boxing before he retires?
Stay tuned folks because all this will make a great HBO 24/7 or Showtime 360 series quite entertaining!
