RING MAGAZINE EXPERTS DEAD EVEN IN PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ POLL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Mar 2008
A published poll of 20 boxing experts in the latest issue of Ring Magazine on the rematch between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 in Las Vegas has turned out ?dead even with 10 votes for each fighter? according to Editor-in-Chief Nigel Collins.
The Ring which is regarded as the "Bible" of boxing will have its super featherweight championship belt also at stake in the "Unfinished Business" rematch.
Collins informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that a dead even tally ?doesn?t happen very often, but it is understandable in this case because they fought a draw in their first match.?
Celebrated boxing historian Bert Sugar admits that he?s always been a Marquez fan but says that although he thinks the Mexican ?is excellent, he can be hit.? However, Bert Sugar believes that Marquez can outbox Pacquiao and win by decision.
ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael says he believes it will be ?a close fight either way but I lean towards Pacquiao? because he feels Pacquiao ?is better than he was the first time they fought.? Rafael noted that Pacquiao now ?uses both hands? and has a ?little better idea on how to box and use strategy.? The respected boxing writer concluded that while Marquez at 34 years of age and is still outstanding ?you just get the feeling that at some point he?s been in too many tough fights and that it will catch up with him.?
Junior lightweight contender Alex Arthur predicts the rematch will be ?an absolute cracker? adding that he thinks Marquez will win because he is ?a far better boxer than Pacquiao.? Arthur said he thinks Marquez is ?brilliant? and would love to fight him at some point.
Trainer Robert Garcia whose younger brother Miguel used to spar with Pacquiao noted that ?Manny is very strong and very quick and he goes into the ring knowing he can beat anyone.? But Garcia expects Marquez to win a close decision based on their first fight in which he pointed out that the Mexican ?won more rounds after being dropped three times? in the opening round and still came back which he said ?tells me that coming out fresh, he?ll be even better this time.?
The 10 -10 final tally came about after the Ring?s Philippine correspondent Ted Lerner and this writer picked Pacquiao to win by stoppage. Lerner said that Marquez will ?execute his plan early but lured by the sheer noise and hype of the event, eventually taking Pacquiao?s bait and getting suckered into a war. Manny, in the best shape of his life happily obliges him. Pacquiao by kayo in the 11th round in an all-time classic and leading ?Fight of the Year? candidate.?
We (Ronnie Nathanielsz, Manila Standard Today) noted that Pacquiao kept his word and trained for two solid months at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym and a focused and well-trained Pacquiao ?with his superior speed, quick movement and awesome punching power will win by a stoppage within eight rounds.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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