No one wants to hear a bout leg cramps. No one wants to hear about the opponent being too defensive. No one will accept any excuse. Manny Pacquiao must stand and deliver a dramatic KO this Saturday night against the smaller, more battle-worn Juan Manuel Marquez Saturday night at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The fan base will accept no substitute for a clean knockout or a blood-ridden stoppage. The Anti Pacquiao Legions will hoot and holler if all Manny does is take a one-sided decision after rounds. The stage is set with a general consensus from those in his camp and longtime observers that this training camp was the best one Pacman has ever had. I’m not saying Pacquiao has been to perfect in this, his 59th professional fight but there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, not to mention catcalls from the Mayweather Legions, if Pacquiao does not record KO Number 39. If we know one thing about Mexican Ringmaster Marquez it is this, that he’s in it to win it. He figures to lash Pacquiao with some heavy blows early on and Pacquiao must, just as he had to in their first 24 rounds, respond with heavy artillery of his own. Many, including Coach Freddie Roach, have keyed in on the halfway point, meaning the sixth round as the finishing line for Juan Ma.
