It's Time to Erase the Marquez Stigma
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Dec 2010
If there is anything that gives boxing icon Manny Pacquiao an irritating sensation, it is the mention of the name Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez is a nightmare to Manny Pacquiao, a zombie who kept standing up even after he had absorbed the best shot that the Filipino boxing icon unleashed.
Three knockdowns in their first meeting which ended in a draw (Manny clearly won that fight) and one more knockdown in their second meeting (which many said Marquez won) but still the Mexican Dynamite is back following his demolition of Michael Katsidis to taunt Pacquiao with a shirt that says he beat Manny twice.
Of course, that is a lot of bull because in my view it's even-steven.
Everybody understands that Marquez is just trying to get the goat of Manny Pacquiao.
"Nang-iinis" as they say it in Pilipino. Marquez is rubbing it in.
But beyond simply being considered an irritating nightmare who keeps on popping up in Manny Pacquiao's dream, Marquez, with his victory over Katsidis, which was again marked by a knockdown that he recovered from, presents himself now as a legitimate opponent for the Filipino boxing icon.
Forget Sergio Martinez. Bob Arum perfectly said it: Manny Pacquiao is great, but he is not superman. How can you possibly allow your 146-lb. fighter to go up against a legitimate middleweight who weighs almost 160 lbs?
Forget Shane Mosley. He may be a nice guy who deserves to get a break and earn several millions by fighting Pacquiao, but he is over the hill and fighting him would only give credence to earlier accusations that Manny's last few fights have been mostly against aging boxers.
The man of the hour is Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao must face him.
It is a must fight not only because there is a score to settle but simply because in the absence of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez is the last man standing in a boxing field strewn with bodies of boxers felled by the Pacquiao whirlwind.
When Pacquiao is done with Marquez, which I expect Manny to accomplish when they meet at the welterweight level, he would have erased that discomfiting and omnipresent smirk in the Mexican Dynamite's face and the stigma in his incredible boxing career.
But most of all, Manny Pacquiao will at long last be able to face the nightmare that has kept on haunting him and once and for all slay the zombie who keeps on popping up in his dream.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025