Pacquiao told to think twice

He was the reigning WBO welterweight champion, but was clearly not in the league of the legendary challenger, thereby making  some pundits swear Jessie Vargas could hope to deliver a reversal only if a different, or inferior, Manny Pacquiao would report for the championship.

Sorry, but it was the original Pacquiao who came to do battle. Not exactly Class A, not truly dominant, in fact deficient in defense, but great enough to confirm his place among the world’s boxing’s elite.

Pacquiao also appeared hot and very saleable, despite failing to score a much-desired knockout. He readily received a nod, a thumbs-up from Floyd Mayweather Jr. at ringside.

Pacquiao himself appeared quite delighted.

“Why not? Not only for me but for the fans of boxing,” he gleefully agreed after the prospect of a rematch with Mayweather, who dealt him a comprehensive thrashing in May 2015, was instantly brought up.

Promoter Bob Arum would next give The Rematch a high 75 percent of happening.

There were in fact early talks about Pacquiao-Mayweather Part 2 possibly going up next May.

Freddie Roach would also harp about a trilogy, although Mayweather has not manifested any clear positive sign from his retirement couch.

There were also those who started to wonder if The Rematch would be truly great for boxing.

Not so fast, please, cried Pacquiao nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, who felt boxing fans deserve a fiercer, more exciting combat than the first encounter that got dubbed Farce of the Decade.

“I think it would be more of the same,” said Marquez, adding Paquiao has become too careful, affected inside the ring.

“Fans want to see the Manny Pacquiao of five years ago, aggressive, with that power, searching for good opponents.” Marquez explained.

Marquez, without suggesting Mayweather would again prove  superior and too elusive, said Pacquiao, if he hopes to fully redeem himself, should try fighting the likes of Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia and Terence Crawford.

Marquez said these are competitive fights fans want to see.

He said The Rematch would definitely end up the same way it ended when the top rivals fought for the first time over a year ago.

“But promoters will have to do what benefits  everybody,” Marquez quipped philosophically.