WAS MARQUEZ ROBBED OF THE VICTORY?
Los Angeles, CA– In the mind of this writer whose in the minority, WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) squeezed out a close but clear decision victory over nemesis and huge underdog
MARQUEZ WINS A MORAL VICTORY
Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) Saturday night on HBO PPV. Marquez arguably pulled off the upset of the year, although unfortunately was on the losing end on the judges scorecards. A majority decision loss, with judges scoring the bout 115-113 & 116-112 in favor of the Filipino, while the third judge called it even at 114-114, was deemed controversial by some, however like the first two bouts many rounds were close and since the underdog Marquez performed well above expectation, in my opinion this altered the perception of both the viewers at home and those relentlessly booing in the arena.
PACQUIAO A CLEAR UNDERDOG VERSUS FLOYD MAYWEATHER
Based on his performance, or lack thereof versus the Mexican, Pacquiao would have to be considered a decisive underdog against Floyd Mayweather (43-0-26 KOs). Styles do make fights, and as witnessed by Pacquiao’s destruction of common opponents, a TKO over Ricky Hatton in two fistic frames, and an TKO 8 over a weight drained (and shot) Oscar De La Hoya, that this performance doesn’t necessarily reflect how he’d do versus Mayweather and vice versa. It is clear though that Marquez has his number and has a style that gives him fits. Floyd’s style has yet to be solved by anyone and that within itself would be a big hurdle for the Filipino, as well as Floyd’s advantages in size, defense and boxing skills. In the words of Pedro Fernandez, I concur “Manny Pacquiao couldn’t hit Floyd Mayweather on the ass with a ping pong paddle!”
DID MARQUEZ EARN ANOTHER SHOT AT FLOYD?
In fact Marquez who had previously laid the blueprint on beating the Filipino superstar, appeared more acclimated to the weight and may have secured himself a rematch with Mayweather. The little guy that Floyd was talking about facing on May 5th in many respects could be Marquez. It also appears that Bob Arum would be reluctant to put Manny in the ring with either Marquez or Mayweather at this point. It is clear since both parties waited to come to terms on the potential super fight that there was a chance it could lose it’s luster. Last night was the perfect of example of letting the steak “sizzle” too long. In one word last night Pacquiao looked “flat!”
-Kevin Perry