By Tom Drury: I will start this article by saying what a great fight we as fans witnessed on Saturday night between former eight division champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Juan “El Dynamita” Marquez. Once again these two fighters put on a show that will never be forgotten by the boxing world. Pacquiao and Marquez exchanged leather three times previously. The first bout ending in a draw and second fight ending in controversial decisions in favour of Pacquiao.
The fourth installment didn’t seem to catch the imagination of the fans, trainers and analysts. Sure they would be seeing a repeat of a controversial decision or a lack lustre performance by Pacquiao, who in the minds of most people involved in boxing, was on the decline. Pacquiao was arguably back to his dynamic best last Saturday night, notably so was “El Dynamita”, which made for a fantastic fight ending with a sight most thought we would never see. Pacquiao was left unconscious on the canvas in the 6th round after receiving a devastating pin point straight right hand from Marquez. Undoubtedly the punch and knockout of the year.
Does this mean Pacquiao-Mayweather is dead in the water? I sincerely hope not. Pacquiao has lost no credibility in his fight with Marquez. Both fighters expressed there desire to end the fight in a knockout and they delivered.
Pacquiao still has a huge following in America as a crossover star and a whole country behind him in his native Philippines. His money generating potential will not subside. He also proved last Saturday night he still has the fire and fight in him that he showed against Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton.
Fans have expressed that Mayweather-Pacquiao is now not the exciting prospect it once was now that the Filipino has suffered a knockout loss. This is not true. We can never truly understand the fight game and compare previous wins, losses and opponents. Pacquiao destroyed Cotto, and Mayweather struggled and by his own admission said it was the toughest fight of his career against Cotto. Paquiao destroyed Hatton in 2 rounds, while Mayweather took ten rounds to beat him. Mayweather has also avoided Antonio Margarito at all costs. We all know Mayweather destroyed “El Dynamita” in a lopsided decision but this holds no weight or proof Mayweather can beat Paquiao. I still hold the opinion Mayweather has never exchanged leather with a fighter like Pacman.
People that compare Pacquiao and Marquez as similar fighters (and due to that Mayweather would be victorious against Pacquiao) is ridiculous. Marquez and Pacquiao couldn’t be more different as fighters; one a go forward powerful volume puncher and the other a powerful technician that relies on his great counter punching abilities.
Mayweather is neither. He is a defensive masterclass that does not like to fight and takes pot shots at his opponents. He does counter but does not have the ability of Marquez in that specific skill. Pacquiao-Mayweather needs to happen in 2013. The fight will sell out any venue and break all records in pay per view revenues without doubt, and the fans will finally get to see the fight that boxing needs. I say Pacquiao-Mayweather early next year then a fifth and final installment of Pacman-El Dynamita late 2013 before Pacquiao hangs up the gloves from the sport.
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