Pacquaio with a record of 45-3-2, 34 KOs while Marquez with 48-3-1, 35 KOs, it was an epic 4 years in the making.  Both fighters are toe to toe in their own departmental skills.   However, we didn’t see a conclusive ending last Sunday.   

The first date between the two was in May 2004, but it wasn’t a candlelit meeting.  It was pound for pound knuckle sandwiches that got served as dinner.  Pacquiao was able to topple Marquez three times but Marquez stood his ground and made his way to the 12^th round.  It was declared as a draw.  Manny was equivalently bruised but he should have been the victor that night.   

A Sunday morning in 2008, March 16 in the Philippines, I watched quite a similar ball game between the two.  I woke up early to catch the live telecast at Off the Grill.  But this time, I think they reversed roles. 

Freddie Roach continuously trained Pacquiao, a natural lefty, in developing a powerful right hand as an additional armament.  Unlike Marquez who brought a lot of game plays to execute, confusing Manny a bit, Manny only had a few.  But Manny being a spontaneous and genius fighter as well, played along with Marquez.  Round 3 showed that one power punch and Pacman can very well own the game. 

The fight went to the 12^th round with both brilliant boxers standing, dressed in cold blood.  The fight was a close match.  But my 2 cents on it:  I have to give this one to Juan Manuel Marquez.  Pacman himself had a “shocked” face when he heard his name called as the winner.  He was NOT expecting to win at all.  At the most, he might have expected a draw.  Much as I admire Pacquiao’s boxing abilities, Marquez should have won that fight.  Pacquiao was the one engaging the fight, but it was Marquez who scored so many blows.  He was the one consistent throughout the game.  Moreso, the person who is challenging the champ should have a really convincing win to strip that person off of his belt.  The win for me wasn’t clear-cut.   

I guess what goes around comes around.  Pacman should have won the first, but it was a draw.  This time it should have been a draw or a Marquez bout, but Pacman won it stripping his opponent of the WBC belt. 

For me, the business is still obviously unsettled.