IT was billed as the Fight of the Decade and, for once, the promoters got it absolutely spot on and the hyperbole was justified. This was a classic, thoroughly deserving of its pre-fight billing and shall long be remembered in the minds of fight fans the world over.
In a city whose very lifeblood relies on the certainty of roulette wheels, card decks and slot machines obeying the laws of mathematics, neither Manny Pacquiao nor Juan Manuel Marquez wanted an outcome that relied on anything other than the certainty of a knockout. ‘No more doubts’ was the mantra surrounding the fourth meeting of these two modern-day legends on December 8 at a packed MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Both fighters had stated in the pre-fight build-up that the only way to silence the doubters and secure their legacies was to dispense with the need for the scorecards. Controversy had marred all their previous encounters and had detracted from what were sensational contests; each fighter claiming three straight victories despite what the record books may show and what their respective detractors may claim. What was beyond doubt was the skill, heart and determination of both these men and their need to gain resolution to questions that have lingered since their first meeting eight-and-a-half years ago.
Almost identical records, boasting 77 knockouts between them, showed that both protagonists possessed the firepower to end contests early and make good on their pre-fight claims. But would the distractions of Pacquiao’s political career and Marquez’s advancing years prove to be a more decisive factor in determining the outcome? Many argued that, at 39 years of age, Marquez was no longer in his prime and that the six-year age difference between them – in a division that relies on speed and agility – would prove insurmountable.
Both fighters entered the ring in superb physical shape. Marquez, weighing 143lbs, looked the bigger of the two men even though he was the lighter by four pounds. It was a very busy, close opener – Pacquiao just shading it with a couple of solid, straight lefts that caught Marquez flush. Round two continued in much the same vein, with Pacquiao keeping Marquez’s defence occupied with chopping right leads and straight lefts; his superior movement keeping him out of Marquez’s range and notching him another 10-9 score on the judge’s cards.
But round three lit the touchpaper and the fight exploded into life. Pacquiao looked faster and more hurtful than ever. He was fluid and loose, firing shots from all angles. In contrast, Marquez looked tight and bulky, unable to counter with the speed and agility that had made their previous contests such classics. However, midway through, Marquez caught Pacquiao with a huge, looping, overhand right that sent Pacquiao sprawling on his backside across the canvass. Pacquiao hung on for the remainder of the round, looking shaky, using his foot speed to stay away from further trouble and make it back to his corner for a much needed minute’s rest. 10-8 to Marquez.
With the fight all even, round four began conservatively, neither fighter willing to take chances. It wasn’t until midway through the round before the leather really began to fly, both fighters exchanging crunching blows; Marquez trying to capitalise on his success in the previous round and Pacquiao sufficiently recovered to throw combinations. It was another close one, difficult to call. Most observers still had it all square going into the fifth, a round that could have decided the fight in either way.
Unrelenting aggression from both fighters saw the crowd on their feet before Pacquiao caught Marquez with a straight left that sent the Mexican to the floor. It was a clean shot but, in fairness to Marquez, he was caught slightly off balance – his left foot unable to readjust with Pacquiao’s right foot planted just outside his own – and he only touched down briefly on his left glove. Nevertheless, fired with his success, Pacquiao charged in but soon found himself on the receiving end of a big, Marquez right hook. It shook Pacman and had the crowd on their feet again; the Mexican’s fans seeming to have taken the majority of the 16,000 seats. It was toe-to-toe stuff, fearsome blows being landed by both fighters before the fight swung again in Pacquiao’s favour towards the end of the round. He connected with combinations that jarred Marquez’s head backwards and sent him across the ring. Pacquiao trapped Marquez in the corner, looking for the finish – raining punches down at will before the bell sounded. Marquez was lucky to hold on.
An air of expectancy hung in the arena as they came out for the sixth. Pacquiao was on top and looking confident. He was busy and aggressive, starting where he had left off in the fifth, bouncing on his toes before planting his feet and delivering his trademark rat-a-tat-tat flurries. Marquez was looking tired and marked, his cheeks puffy and smeared with blood from a cut across the bridge of his nose. Perhaps over-confident, Pacquiao charged forward time after time, looking to connect his concussive left behind a lead right. But when the end came, it was swift and final. Pacquiao came forward again, looking to unleash one last combination before the end of the session. Marquez, with his back to the ropes, slipped outside Pacquiao’s lead, bringing his own right crashing through Pacquiao’s guard. It only travelled six inches before connecting flush with Pacquiao’s chin – the full force of his shoulder and body driving it back into his chest. In Marquez’s 62-fight career, he has never thrown a sweeter right hand. Pacquiao was out cold before his momentum sent him falling forwards, face first, onto the ring apron. It was two, long, worrying minutes before he regained consciousness. The nature of the knockout was reminiscent of Tommy Hearns’ demolition of Roberto Duran back in what many consider to be a golden age. But, on this performance, these fighters and this fight would have graced any era.
After the fight, Bob Arum spoke enthusiastically about Pacquiao-Marquez V, suggesting that perhaps the two warriors may eclipse the six-fight rivalry of Jake LaMotta and Sugar Ray Robinson. Pacquiao’s claim on being the pound-for-pound king must now lie in tatters, as must a mega-fight with Money Mayweather. The appetite of the public for such a showdown shall never be what it once was, regardless of the outcome of a rematch. And, perhaps, on last night’s evidence and Pacquiao’s post-fight interview, a rematch does seem the likeliest outcome. After all, there would be few in Las Vegas unwilling to bankroll another instalment. For this was boxing at its most brutal and fascinating best. Styles make fights and in the 42 rounds that have defined this most enduring of modern day rivalries, Pacquiao’s all-out, come-forward aggression versus Marquez’s slick counter-punching have proved mesmeric and unmissable.
And so this time, there was no argument. No controversy. Boxing, the toughest sport of all, does not respect reputations nor heed convention. There can be no excuses for Pacquiao. He was caught flush with a peach of a punch that would have detached much heavier men from their senses. Boxing finds the truth. It is callous and unforgiving; merciless in exposing fading abilities and the ravages of time. But is Pacquiao on the decline? No. Prior to the final few seconds of round six, he looked as good as ever. Possibly better. Will he want to call time on a career after being knocked out in a fight which most observers had him winning? Again, no. Pacquiao-Marquez IV was all about leaving a legacy. In Pacquiao’s eyes, that legacy is still unfinished. In a division that is awash with big names and sublime ability, the fight saw two of its most celebrated exponents deliver in droves and the prospect of part five is truly mouth-watering.
