Does Pacquiao need Marquez?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 01 Dec 2006
Juan Manuel Marquez has once again found his name mentioned in the Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes due to his recent victory over Jimrex Jaca. Thirty one months ago they figured in a nail biting draw that showcased the best that both men had to offer. It was also a tale of two fights.
The first tale involved Pacquiao?s overwhelming ?shock and awe? blitzkrieg that almost blew Marquez out of the ring in the very first round. It was a blowout, but referee Joe Cortez allowed the fight to continue.
The second tale involved Marquez getting off the canvas three times and slowly but surely with cool but effective counterpunching ?stole? a draw from the jaws of defeat. It was one of the best resurrections ever seen since Biblical times.
But the fight left a lot of questions and controversy. Which of the two tales represented the truth about that match-up? There was also the scoring error that allowed the draw to happen. There was also Pacquiao?s swollen left hand and blistered feet.
What has happened since then? Team Marquez priced themselves out of a rematch with Pacquiao and wound up losing his championship belts and a close controversial decision to Chris John in Indonesia for minimum wage. Marquez has since then lost his lofty status in the pound per pound rankings.
Pacquiao on the other hand figured in a bloody trilogy with Erik Morales and came out on top. He has since been in the top two of every pound per pound list imaginable. He has blossomed into boxing?s most exciting draw.
So, does Pacquiao really need Marquez?
The Mexican has shown that he can knock out the Tersdak Jandaengs and the Jimrex Jacas of this world. But is he really ready to face Pacquiao again?
The Pacquiao of 2006 is definitely better than the Pacquiao of 2004. He is more at home in the limelight of Las Vegas and is used to the pressure of the great expectations of millions of his countrymen. He is also stronger, smarter and is now a two armed fighter.
It is also a question of Marquez needing Pacquiao. He definitely needs to continue rehabilitating his image after the Chris John fiasco. There is also national pride at stake as Pacquiao continues to be the thorn on Mexico?s side.
But Pacquiao has bigger fish to fry. There is the lightweight division with the likes of Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz. Pacquiao taking the lightweight belt as homage to the Philippines? greatest ever, Flash Elorde- who failed twice in his bid for the 135 lb. title- would definitely have more historic significance.
There is also the rematch fans have been waiting for three years involving Marco Antonio Barrera who does have a WBC superfeatherweight belt. But another interesting question would be - does Pacquiao?s popularity and victories render alphabet titles null and void?
Pacquiao?s motivation may be the need to erase all doubts regarding the Marquez draw -- to prove that Marquez did not really possess kryptonite that day. But then, does the Pinoy Superman really need to go out of his way to find Lex Luthor?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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