MANILA, Philippines—Many of the great boxers of this generation dream to fight Manny Pacquiao.
A fight with Pacquiao represents many things. A big paycheck, bragging rights, championship belts are just some of the more obvious reasons. None, however, would have the same reason as a fighter named Juan Manuel Marquez.
Although Marquez’s reason is clearly personal, it is not borne from hatred or contempt. Neither is his reason caused by any insults thrown his way by Pacquiao.
He simply wants to let the world know that he is the better boxer.
The 38-year-old Mexican clearly has cause to boast. The outcome of his two fights with the Filipino congressman was not definitive.
Many will not contest the fact that Marquez is the fighter that has given Manny the most trouble. Even the best pound for pound will not deny that.
This third fight, for all intents and purposes, is expected to be the one that will put all doubts to rest. Who is the better fighter, Pacquiao or Marquez?
Unfortunately, this hypothesis is just not this simple. So many variables are present and so much time has already passed since their last encounter in 2008.
Since that meeting where Pacquiao narrowly beat Marquez, the Filipino’s career has zoomed to levels never heard of in the sport.
Though he has not been able post knockouts at welterweight, he pummeled the much bigger Margarito into submission and took the fight out of Mosley with one punch.
Marquez, on the other hand, knew he had to prove himself if he were to get another chance at the Pacman.
In his desire, however, to play catch up, he took a very big risk, moved up to welterweight and went straightaway to the other man, many say is the best pound for pound, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Marquez lost that fight, revealing so many key variables with regard to his future.
He was not comfortable at the 147-pound category as he forced himself to gain weight, which made him look fat on fight day.
The additional pounds also diminished both his speed and power as he could not keep up with Mayweather.
Determined to get that third fight against Pacquiao, Marquez went back to lightweight and beat Michael Katsidis.
Many a boxing expert thought that maybe Marquez does have enough in his tank to pull an upset versus the fighting congressman.
Marquez feels that he has what it takes to beat Pacquiao as he continues to believe that he won both their fights.
We expect nothing less from both pugilists, who know that more than the title and glory, a place in history is at stake.