One of the hallmarks of boxing’s lower weight classes is that the tremendous hand speed of the fighters translates to action-packed matches. That prospect should be fully on display in tonight’s third meeting between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Both fighters have succeeded throughout their careers by going on the offensive, and it’s hard to imagine that pattern changing after two high-intensity bouts (the first a draw, the second a split decision for Pacquiao).
However, that same offensive mindset on Marquez’s part will ultimately hand the victory to Pac-Man.
Marquez—who argues that he should have won both of the first two meetings—has a great deal to prove in this contest. He’ll be doing everything in his power to win by knockout and avoid letting the judges have any say in the outcome of the match.
Unfortunately for Marquez, Pacquiao knows that he’ll be pressing and will be ready to take advantage of the openings Marquez can’t help but give him. Pacquiao is too smart to beat himself with aggressiveness, but Marquez is too desperate not to.
The danger for Marquez is magnified by the high weight limit for this fight (144 pounds, as compared to 125 and 130 for the first two meetings). Pacquiao’s punches carry a lot more power at this weight, and Marquez is unaccustomed either to fighting at 144 himself or to taking punches from a heavier fighter.
Pacquiao doesn’t need to win by knockout to have a great chance to come out on top in this match. Ironically, the fact that Marquez does need a knockout more makes it far more likely that Pacquiao will get one (for the first time in four fights) and come away with the victory.
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