MARQUEZ IS PACQUIAO?S EQUAL
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 Nov 2011
Juan Manuel Marquez did not go down this time but still found himself at the losing end of the decision. Manny Pacquiao heard the booing of the crowd. Just like in their first two fights, the scores triggered a heated discussion among fans and boxing scribes.
The recently departed Joe Frazier was in the hearts and minds of fans as the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy was about to unfold. But as the rounds progressed, I remembered the name of another heavyweight great ? Ken Norton .
Just like Frazier, Norton gave Muhammad Ali fits in their third fight. Ali was trailing past the eighth and needed the fifteenth and final round to win against Norton at Yankee Stadium.
Marquez has played the role of both Frazier and Norton in Pacquiao?s career.
Just like in their second encounter, Pacquiao?s aggression and sporadic power bursts was enough to sway two judges in his favor. They did not have access to compubox in their judges? chairs but those who agree with their decision will point out the punch stats.
There are Filipinos who feel that anyone who speaks or writes against Pacquiao has committed an act of treason. But you have to give credit to Marquez. His right hand lead is deadly accurate; his sneaky uppercuts, a thing of beauty. He has the perfect style to beat Pacquiao.
Marquez, 9-1 underdog, who was picked to lose by knockout in various surveys, raised his hand after the sound of the final bell. Pacquiao has his arms at his sides. But that was before the final verdict.
Marquez? Hall of fame Trainer Nacho Beristain promised a ?wonderful surprise? for all of Pacquiao?s fans; Quite an understatement, judging from the body language of the fans here at home who watched the event live on PPV in various sports complexes, restaurants and hotels.
It was a close fight with a few rounds too close to call. But the words ?not fair? did enter my thoughts as the decision was announced. It may be too simplistic or na?ve on my part to use the words ?not fair?. Real life has so many grey areas for it to be fair and boxing is no exception. But I?m sure Team Marquez is thinking ?Why don?t they give us the close rounds??
Marquez could have changed the course of boxing history not once, but thrice. Unfortunately for him, there were judges who disagreed every time. But the fans and writers who agree with him are becoming more vocal. He has demonstrated time and time again that he deserves our respect. The kind of respect that unfortunately, do not get reflected on the score sheets.
Should we fault the fighting style of Marquez for his losses to Pacquiao? It has never been in his nature to come forward. He doesn?t need to. He knows he can read Pacquiao coming in. He has perfected his counterpunching and they have consistently been accurate. He has demonstrated it twice before and Freddie Roach and Pacquiao still grope for an antidote.
Pacquiao did try his best to win in the way he knows how - Go forward and release. It is also a fair argument to say that aggression counts for something. And also to be fair to Pacquiao, he was not involved in picking the judges.
After three fights there is still little to separate the two boxers. Maybe we should go back to the fifteen round distance for match-ups like this one. Marquez has shown that he is at par with Pacquiao. In the eyes of many, he has become even more than that.
FOCUSING ON PACQUIAO:
Pacquiao has boosted the boxing industry here in the Philippines. To use as an example, for almost every month this year, we see Mexican boxers fighting in Cebu City. But Pacquiao will turn 33 next month and there are questions that need to be asked:
1.Is he slipping? If he is, it was not noticeable before because he was fighting bigger, older and slower opponents. Is this the opportunity Floyd Mayweather has been waiting for?
2.Have the rigors of politics and showbiz commitments taken their toll? He is a world class athlete but still human. The human body can only take so much. Is this something more than ?leg cramps??
3.Is Philippine boxing really prepared for life after Pacquiao?
These are just some points to ponder in the aftermath of a fight that has left a lot of questions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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