A Plea for Passion
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 09 Dec 2007
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II. Unfinished business, much anticipated rematch, fighting for pride. Whatever you may call this fight, it won?t get any better than this. Two boxers in their prime, the top two in their division facing each other four years after their dramatic first encounter.
It is not just the contrasting styles or the debatable draw, it is a chance to make history. Pacquiao will be going after a world title belt in a division once ruled by the legendary Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde. Their status as the top two 130 lb. fighters in the Ring magazine ratings puts the winner in line for a prestigious world title belt from the Bible of boxing.
Pacquiao?s performance in his last two bouts has also added an intriguing dimension to this fight. He has been noticeably on boxer-puncher mode instead of the usual whirlwind fan-friendly style that we are used to. Is this really a case of Freddie Roach finally succeeding in tempering the Pacman?s aggressive inclinations for a more disciplined offense or is this something else? He has won, but in a manner that is relatively tame. There are those who have lamented that they miss the old Pacquiao. Is it just me or did I see a raging inferno slowly extinguish itself during the rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera? Millions of Filipinos will not agree with me but I believe the Barrera of 1996 would have beaten Pacquiao that night.
There are boxers who do modify their styles because age and wear and tear caught up with them. Even Barrera did that. Muhammad Ali used the rope a dope more often when he could not float like a butterfly for fifteen rounds anymore. Even Arturo Gatti tried the boxer-puncher bit to extend his career. But, we are still witnessing a Pacquiao that has not even reached thirty years old yet.
Would it be really wise to play a chess match against Marquez? The enduring image of their first fight is the moment of near-carnage in the first round. That moment will have to be duplicated, even multiplied for Pacquiao to beat Marquez. A change of styles will have to take a back seat. A repeat of rounds three through twelve of that fight would mean disappointment for 80 million Filipinos.
Marquez does have bragging rights in Mexico. He remains the only elite 130 lb. boxer in his country who can truly say Pacquiao did not beat him. Would this be enough to ignite a fire inside the Pacman again? Only the old Pacquiao can beat Marquez. Anything else will come up short.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez Motivated for Saturday's Homecoming Against Ricky Medina
Fri, 05 Sep 2025SUNDERLAND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS McCORMACK EYES BIG WIN
Fri, 05 Sep 2025THE ROAD TO REYES CUP AND MOSCONI CUP | 2025 PLAYERS QUALIFICATION
Fri, 05 Sep 2025Statement from World Boxing following reports in the French media about French female boxers at the World Boxing Championships
Fri, 05 Sep 2025GenSan Is Our Version of Los Mochis - The City of Boxing Champions
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 05 Sep 2025Iglesias vs. Shishkin: Unsigned Hype
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 05 Sep 2025EDDIE HEARN PROVIDES AJ UPDATE AS PAT McCORMACK NAMES THE BIG FIGHT HE WANTS NEXT IN NEW MATCHROOM BOXING PODCAST
Fri, 05 Sep 2025Team USA’s Path to Gold Set at 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool
Fri, 05 Sep 2025DACS signs up with Amesco Drug
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 05 Sep 2025India’s Monika Singh Battles Aliya Soomro of Pakistan for UBO Youth World 108 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Sep 2025TEENAGE KICKS: WONDERKIDS LEO ATANG, ADAM MACA AND TIAH-MAI AYTON ARE READY TO LIGHT UP SUNDERLAND THIS SATURDAY
Thu, 04 Sep 2025150 to join Rotary Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Miguel Berchelt to Return in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; WBC Praises City’s Commitment
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Sep 2025Spicing up “Thrilla” card
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 04 Sep 2025SATURDAY: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina to be Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Deportes in the United States
Thu, 04 Sep 2025