Fight Review: Pacquiao-Marquez 3 "Majority Decision, Majority Disappointment"

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Commentating

We should feel spoiled. With the passing of the legendary Smoking Joe Frazier, we boxing fans have been treated to some wonderful lessons in boxing history. Every noted sports news syndication has given us all a stroll down memory lane into boxings’ riches golden archives to help relive the bouts that shaped the history of boxing.

In a time where boxer’s are more aware of their fiscal opportunities, the fans are often on the short end of the cash in. In reverse chronological order, we the fans were tortured a bit by Roy Jones Jr’s less that earnest effort to face certain top contenders during his reign on the top.

Tyson blessed us with his classic “line ‘em all up” career motto. Before that our beloved Sugar Ray Leonard made us wait 5 years before we were treated to a Hagler-Leonard bout. And then we have the golden era of boxing which produced boxing’s most coveted trilogy, Ali-Frazier. The best should fight the best.

Why should we feel spoiled? We’ve got our cake and then some. On deck, we have the possibility of a Mayweather vs Pacquiao show down. Outside of that epic possibility, many believe there’s no other fight worth being made. As a boxing myself, I was not exactly 100% excited when this fight was announced as I firmly understood Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum decided to select Marquez because he appeared to be declining. And to further mount his climb, Arum required the fight to be held at just under the welterweight limit. They were banking on Marquez performing poorly just as he did against Mayweather at 144lbs. Juan Manuel Marquez proved them wrong.

What happened was a fight of epic proportions. A third installment that was full of excitement and superb boxing mastery from two future hall of famers and living legends. Vegas had Marquez a 10-to-1 underdog due to Pacquiao’s winning streak, Marquez’ age and seemingly declining performance. But, Marquez, invested in intelligent training, made adjustments which he’s famous for, and showed the world the truth of Manny Pacquiao’s skills when matched up against a great technical boxer.

The match-up was fantastic as Marquez forced Pacquiao into a disciplined fight, even when Manny did his best to entice all out war, Juan the sweet pugilist, declared martial law by enforced boxing science.

The prime objective of the third bout between Pacquiao and Marquez was to achieve closure. On the overall scope of the bout, this was not possible. Juan felt robbed of his first two bouts against Manny. Manny, though a winner of one, had not be afforded the spoils of victory due to the consensus held largely by boxing fans and sports reporters who scored the bout a 1-to-2 point victory in favor of Marquez.

As a fan, I would have loved to see Marquez leave with a victory. Yet, I am happy to have witnessed such a spectacular display of the sweet science. This was a great boxing event all around. We witnessed history in the making.

Manny did not look against an aging technical boxing legend, who’s 38- which creates doubts about Pacquiao’s chances of defeating Mayweather. Marquez did not win in another close bout with Pacquiao. Neither fighter walks away with closure. Majority decision for Manny, majority disappointment for both fighters.

Alexander530

This review gives me an impression that a defensive boxer is the way to go. Aren’t they supposed to box? What kind of a fighter are you if you mostly wait for your opponent to attack? Jmm is the challenger. Shouldn’t he be the aggressor? It seems like no matter what happens, Manny will be blamed. If Manny decided to be boring and just wait for Jmm to attack, he would also be blamed for it. I do believe that Manny won. A true fighter should learn to attack, not play defensive.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000495768936 Valdo Mata

jmm was smart.. took manny off balance, with more clear shots and made it it his fight… he made many go to him… jmm did the perfect boxing match and clearly landed the crucial punches of the night… manny tried to attack jmm but did not succeed . many was frustrated and you could see at the end of the fight he was not convinced that he won that fight. marquez won the fight…

Dar Cortez

@Valdo did you really watch d fght?you’re damm stupid Just check the face of d 2 fightrs,Marquez was unrecognizable after the fight.You should watch the fight and count those straight punches landed on Marquez face .The slowmo replay was biased ,Manny did nt raise his hands bcause he was not able to knock dwn Marquez due to Marquez famous defence tecnique.

chifuli1974

I respectfully disagree with Alexander as the objective in Boxing is to hit and not get hit, which was what JMM tried all night long. Is been proven over and over again that if you brawl with Pacquiao you will get hurt and JMM had enough experience to know that counterpunching is the way to showcase the many flaws still on Pacquiao’s boxing skills. He made him lunge, he made him look off balance and without a clue. However, Marquez was not busy enough to edge it IMO. I had Pacquiao winning a close fight but had Marquez fought the last two rounds as he did the middle rounds the fight should’ve been his. Nacho made a huge mistake by telling his fighter that he was ahead. Bonehead move for such a experienced trainer, who by now should know that nothing in Vegas is secured. If you don’t think so, ask Oscar de la Hoya….