THE fabled trilogy in boxing is rare enough and normally delivers its basic function in the grand scheme of this sport. To establish once and for all who is the better fighter. A controversial decision, a staggering upset or a 1-1 record; these can all be usually be solved by the third fight. But when it can?t, the crescendo of any rivalry has to be made, a quadrilogy.
We?ve been lucky enough to experience one in the last decade with Israel Vasquez vs Rafael Marquez. Now the other Marquez, Juan Manuel, is to compete in one of the most highly anticipated fights this century. A fourth match up with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
With the fight between Mayweather Jnr looking like a forlorn hope, Pacquiao was always going to have to choose between a rematch with either Marquez or the man who beat him in June earlier this year, Timothy Bradley. In terms of performance and finance I think he?s made the right decision.
Marquez is a much bigger name than Bradley with the punters who will actually purchase the PPV based on the buy rate figures from his last fights – Marquez outdrew the ?Desert Storm? by half a million people. It will depend on how well Bob Arum can sell the fight but you could easily see their fourth fight outselling their clash last year. Although Pacquiao would be lying if he said money isn?t a factor when deciding his next opponent, he has enough in the bank already to last until his pending transition into politics. So now in his career he needs to pick the fights that will establish his legacy not just as the best in the world today ? and with Mayweather Jnr around that?s still a tough ask ? but as one of the best of all time. Marquez offers that.
In his fight with Bradley, 92 per cent of the scorecards collected by official and unofficial judges gave the Filipino the victory that night and it was a shame that two members of the other 8% disagreed. His third fight with Marquez though was a different story. While the Compubox stats favoured the champion in terms of punches landed (including power) and punches thrown, the opinion amongst journalists and fans was split almost 50/50. Pacquiao has said that he has more to prove against Marquez then against Bradley and he?s right.
There is a danger that casual fans will become ?bored? of Pacquiao vs Marquez but in truth this fight was almost a necessity. In most ?grudge? matches involving multiple fights, there is always at least one fight that has a clear-cut winner. Not in this case. Pacquiao may have a 2-0-1 record but it could easily have been 0-3-0 the fights were that close. The fights on their own have been terrific and the outcomes have triggered so much debate in boxing circles, why would anyone get bored of this?
In the grand schemes of things this fight should determine how good Pacquiao still is and how close he remains to the top of that mountainous peak he?s climbed over his 17-year career. A Marquez victory will be greeted with jubilation in Mexico and admiration all over the world ? except a few islands in the Pacific – as the bridesmaid will finally have his ultimate moment in the sun toppling a P-4-P champion.
But take all the money, controversy and wider implications out of this fight and at the bare bones you are left with this. Two men who still cannot be separated after 108 minutes of boxing trying desperately to prove who is the better man. That?s why this fight needed to happen.
