MARQUEZ: "PACQUIAO LOOKS DIFFERENT AND MORE CAUTIOUS"
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Nov 2016
Juan Manuel Marquez, the only fighter whom Manny Pacquiao fought four times said that his boxing arch rival was not the same Pacquiao he used to face atop the ring.
Miguel Rivera of Boxing Scene wrote that "Marquez believes Pacquiao is still mentally haunted by the brutal knockout loss that he suffered back in the sixth round of their fourth fight in 2012."
Marquez and Pacquiao clashed in three bouts that ended in controversial decisions. In 2004, the first encounter ended in a split draw. The second bout in 2008 was a split decision win for Pacquiao, while the third in 2011 resulted in a majority decision in favor again of the Filipino boxing icon.
In the fourth match, Pacquiao was leading on points and was slugging it out with Marquez in a ferocious exchange of punches. Pacquiao landed a right hook that buckled Marquez's knees and broke his nose.
"He looks different compared to the Manny Pacquiao we know, with the speed and power," said Marquez in an interview in Golpe a Golpe. "We saw him get hit by a fighter who doesn't have a strong punch. Jessie Vargas, out of 27 fights has 10 knockouts, so he doesn't have a strong punch but yet he staggered Pacquiao."
With ten seconds remaining in the sixth round of the fourth Marquez brawl, Pacquiao had the Mexican backing into the ropes after he absorbed a right cross from the Filipino boxing icon. Pacquiao double feinted a jab, probably to set up his vaunted jab-jab-straight left combination. But Marquez ducked upon the second jab, and countered with a strong right hand to Pacquiao's mouth. Pacquiao was hurt and he fell face first to the canvas.
"I saw a different fighter, more cautious, more thoughtful in his attacks, and that helps you to ensure that your opponent doesn't knock you out. We saw that he is still thinking about that knockout loss, we saw it against Jessie Vargas. Those right hand blows that landed from Jessie Vargas made Manny Pacquiao think. Getting hit with that right hand counter is still fresh in his memory."
The lack of knockout victories could be attributed to the more cautious fighting style of the eight-division world champion as observed by Marquez.
"He no longer throws punches thoroughly, so he looks more cautious, fights more from a distance, and he's not looking like he did in the past when he fought with that speed, with this animosity to knock the opponent out. Today we see a more cautious fighter and he's not winning the fights like he used to," added the former four-division world title holder.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mason Storm: Abdullah Butchers Nakathila in Norfolk Showcase
Sun, 08 Jun 2025Return of the comeback
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 08 Jun 2025MANNY PACQUIAO IN CANASTOTA, NY (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Jun 2025Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 06 Jun 2025