DISRESPECT ISN?T MARQUEZ?S KEY TO A THIRD FIGHT WITH PACQUIAO!
By Jason Aniel
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Sep 2008
San Francisco, CA?If Juan Manuel Marquez wants to cash in and secure a third fight with Manny Pacquiao in not too distant future, he and his promotional team, specifically Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Shaeffer, should stop throwing backhanded insults towards Pacquiao. Throughout Juan Manuel Marquez?s hall-of-fame career, he?s resume and accomplishments have always stood on their own, letting his fists do the talking inside the ring.
The only ?demon? left in Marquez closet is that of the Pac-Man, a man he has yet to defeat in two tries. The first fight took place in 2004, where Marquez came back from three knockdowns in the first round to score a draw after 12 rounds. Both Marquez and Pacquiao felt they won the fight. A rematch was scheduled back in February of 2005, but Team Marquez refused to fight because they felt they deserved more money than what was being offered (reportedly $750,000). Pacquiao felt disrespected by Marquez?s refusal because he wanted the rematch. Whether refusing the rematch was an attempt to leave Top Rank or not, Marquez ended up getting robbed of his title in Indonesia for less than $100,000 back in 2006.
The rematch eventually took place last March of 2008, where Pacquiao won a split decision over Marquez in 12 rounds, with a 3rd round knockdown scored by Manny being the difference of the fight on the official cards. Every round ultra competitive; just watch the first round. It does not matter who you felt won the fight, everyone is in agreement that the fight was very close. Each fighter can make an argument that they won the fight. When writers talk about that fight, they first refer to the bout as a classic, thrilling bout. However, the first words you heard from Team Marquez after the fight was that it was a disgrace and that boxing took a step back because of the result.
Now, this type of rhetoric is not new to boxing. Oscar De La Hoya wanted to file a protest after his second loss to Shane Mosley. Rafael Marquez?s team threatened to protest after his decision loss to Israel Vasquez in their third fight. However, in both circumstances, neither camp went through with the protest and you can cite to their outbursts as heated reactions after a tough loss. And I?ll give Marquez the same leeway in that regard; he wanted the win so badly and to come up one point short was very disappointing to him.
However, the complaints did not end after the post-fight press conference. Marquez flew to the Philippines about 3 weeks after the fight to watch Gerry Penalosa fight in Manila. Marquez was scheduled to be in a couple of commercials but Marquez continued bashing the decision and disrespecting Pacquiao. He even confronted Pacquiao on live television to agree to a third fight. As a result, Marquez did not film those commercials.
Now once again, after an impressive performance in his lightweight debut last week, Marquez and his team are once again throwing verbal jabs at Pacquiao. At the post-fight conference, Schaffer stated that he believed Pacquiao would never want to fight Marquez again. Marquez continued to dismiss the decision of both fights, claiming he has already proven that he beat Pacquiao already.
Marquez deserves a third fight with Pacquiao in the future; there?s no argument about that. However, continuing to goat Pacquiao into a third fight by little ?disses? here and there may end up backfiring.
Not to say this method hasn?t worked in the past. Antonio Tarver was successful in insulting his way into a Roy Jones fight. At the post fight conference after Jones successfully won a heavyweight title back in 2004, Tarver called out Jones for refusing to fight. Eventually Jones and Tarver did fight, with Tarver winning two of the three fights.
However, sometimes making things personal with a fighter does not work. Ricky Hatton refuses to fight fellow Brit Junior Witter, even though the fight would be a huge event in England. Witter has continuously insulted Hatton, calling him a coward among other verbal punches.
And believe me, Manny is hearing what Marquez is saying about him and he?s not liking one bit of it. In text message, Manny emphasized that he does not acknowledge any person who does not show respect and that ?a REAL champion knows the meaning of respect!?
So Manny has to ask himself this question, ?Why should I give Marquez his biggest payday of his career when he has shown this amount of disrespect??
As far as two months ago, the answer was simple: Manny would be earning his biggest paycheck of his career as well. However, with the De La Hoya fight and possible fights with Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao can make big money elsewhere.
Top photo: Marquez speaking to reporters during his visit to Manila for the Penalosa fight. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
U2: Denys Berichyk Gives Ukraine Another World Champion
Sun, 19 May 2024Dallas Mavs Nip OKC Thunder 117-116 Advance to Western Conference Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 19 May 2024The future is bright for Dasma Cavite Spartans
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 May 2024Lone Survivor: Usyk Topples Fury to Win Undisputed Heavyweight Crown
Sun, 19 May 2024Undisputed: Oleksandr Usyk Drops, Edges Fury to Claim Heavyweight Glory
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 19 May 2024Elorde named to WBC body
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 19 May 2024Indiana Bests New York, Forces Game 7 in East Semis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 18 May 2024Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in Semi Finals at PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 May 2024Fury vs. Usyk: The Big One Has Finally Arrived
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 May 2024FM Arca remains on top in Vietnam Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 May 2024Weigh-In Results: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denys Berinchyk & Giovani Santillan vs. Brian Norman Jr.
Sat, 18 May 2024WEIGHTS FROM RIYADH: TYSON FURY - 262 LBS, OLEKSANDR USYK - 233.5 LBS
Sat, 18 May 2024THE UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MACHINE WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO FACE TOP CONTENDER GIOVANNI CABRERA ON SATURDAY, JULY 6
Sat, 18 May 2024Asia Supremacy: Team Philippines Eyes Strong Showing Vs Team Chinese Taipei
Sat, 18 May 2024THREE TITLE FIGHTS AND THREE UNDEFEATED BOXERS TRAINED BY ROY JONES JR. HEADLINE JUNE 28 BOXING CARD AT LEGENDS CASINO LIVE WORLDWIDE ON BLK PRIME
Sat, 18 May 2024