A Fighting Chance Against Pacquiao

Boxing recently has taken it on the chin.

The last two big pay-per-view events, Mayweather/Ortiz and Hopkins/Dawson, came to scandalous conclusions. The sport needs a lift. And it just might come Saturday when Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) and Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) meet for the third time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Louisa Bertman

Manny Pacquiao has collected titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.

The first two bouts were fistic classics, and there is every reason to believe that the final installment of this trilogy will prove the same.

Pacquiao, 32, is the Filipino superstar who has collected titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. He and Floyd Mayweather are considered the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport. A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Marquez, 38, has won belts in both the featherweight and super-featherweight classes, and is currently the WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine lightweight king.

The two consummate artists of the ring last exchanged leather in March 2008 when Pacquiao nabbed a split decision. That night, Pacquiao scored a knockdown but Marquez had a slight edge in power punches, connecting with 130 shots to Pacquiao's 114. In their first bout in 2004, Marquez landed 20% more power shots than Pacquiao (122 to 100), but because Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round, the fight ended in a draw.

Knockdowns aside, many analysts contend that Marquez has won the majority of the 24 rounds these combatants have fought. Marquez, known as "Dinamita," firmly believes he won both fights and has put blood in Pacquiao's eye by making his dissent public. On a promotional tour in the Philippines, where the "Pac-Man" is not only a congressman but a veritable superhero, Marquez came clad in a T-shirt announcing, "MARQUEZ BEAT PACQUIAO TWICE."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his boxer usually likes everyone he fights. "Manny can be too nice. Like in the fight with [Shane] Mosley. He didn't want to hurt him. But while he won't say much, there is a gleam in his eyes about Marquez. He really doesn't like the guy. This one is very personal to him."

Asked why the otherwise respectful Marquez irks him so much, Pacquiao openly stated: "Mainly because he was saying that he was robbed in the first two fights. This third fight will answer all of the doubts and all the questions."

Louisa Bertman

Juan Manuel Marquez has won belts in both the featherweight and super-featherweight classes, and is currently the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine lightweight king.

As evidence of the fire in his belly, Pacquiao commenced training a month earlier than usual for this contest.

Roach said there's one thing he wants to see his fighter do differently on Saturday. "I want Manny to get it going quick this time and to get Marquez out of there before the sixth."

But his charge had better be careful. Unlike most opponents, Marquez seems to have Pacquiao's timing down, something Roach is very wary of.

A few years back, as Pacquiao was beginning his meteoric rise, Roach admitted, "There is only one guy I don't want Manny to fight and that is Marquez. He knows how to fight lefties." Marquez keeps his left foot outside his southpaw opponent's leading right foot and perhaps as a result has enjoyed great success in drilling Pacquiao with stinging counter right hands.

But things have changed. Unlike their earlier meetings, this contest will take place at the catch weight of 144 pounds. Pacquiao, who has already won a light middleweight crown (154 pound weight limit), is built on a bigger frame and is now more accustomed to the higher weight.

This is one reason Marquez no longer gives Roach the shivers. "Manny's not the same fighter he was last time. He is showing much more movement than he did back then. He is harder to hit. He used to depend on that straight left but now he has a right hook too. Marquez is a great counter-puncher. He likes it when you come after him. And that's what Manny did in the past. But we are going to make Marquez commit more in this fight." Pacquiao was in fact the more active combatant in the 2008 fight, launching 619 to Marquez's 511 blows.

As eight-time world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao trains in Hollywood for his upcoming fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, WSJ's Jason Gay spends some time with the boxing superstar to see how he balances life as a politician, musician, movie star and athlete.

One thing is for certain though: You won't see Pacquiao going in reverse for long during the fight. He is an offensive juggernaut who is always taking risks in the ring. In the past, he had a bad habit of charging straight in, bringing his left shoulder forward and squaring up, thus leaving himself vulnerable to the straight right. Marquez has had luck in moving Pacquiao into the crosshairs of his power lane by jabbing or feinting a jab. He was also able to drop left hooks to his body and head. But then again, Marquez has not always been able to avoid Pacquiao's immensely concussive left.

"This time it will be different," promised Marquez's trainer Ignacio Beristáin. "In their first fight, Juan got hit with a lot of lefts. In the second, fewer. There were three knockdowns in the first fight but only one in the second. None this time."

Still, Pacquiao's left may not be coming along the same delivery route. Ray Beltran, a longtime Pacquiao sparring partner, noted, "He was always fast and could punch, but Manny used to be kind of predictable. He moved straight in and out. Not anymore. Now he is always hitting you from different angles."

If form holds and Pacquiao emerges victorious on Saturday night, the question will immediately loom: What about Floyd Mayweather, who has indicated he is open to a faceoff with Pacquiao in May 2012?

Regarding the possible dream matchup, Roach calmly punches out his convictions: "Who would you take? A guy like Mayweather who throws 15 punches a round or Manny, who throws 80?"

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