By John F. McKenna: Later this year Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) will finally get his chance to avenge his razor thin loss in 2008 to Filipino Superstar Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s).

Marquez is adamant that he won both of his previous fights with Pacquiao, which resulted in a draw and a loss on his record. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s hall of fame trainer has said time and again that Marquez is the one fighter who has Manny’s number and he expects another transcendent war between the two.

One thing must be pointed out however when we are attempting to analyze the third fight of the Pacquiao – Marquez trilogy. Manny Pacquiao is not the same fighter he was in 2008.

The last time Pacquiao and Marquez fought it was at 130 pounds. That was the last time Manny fought at that weight. Since that time he has fought at 147 pounds and has grown into a legitimate welterweight and is comfortable at that weight. Marquez, who will be 38 years old by the time he squares off against Pacquiao in November is a lightweight and is comfortable fighting at that weight. Juan does not handle the extra pounds well when he attempts to move up in class. His November battle with Pacquiao will be at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Marquez was blown out of the water when he fought at that weight in September of 2009. Mayweather did not honor the agreed to weight in that fight and came in at 146 pounds.

Manny Pacquiao will have a significant advantage in his Showdown with Marquez. He handles the additional weight much more efficiently than Marquez does. In addition, Manny’s skills have improved dramatically. He punches harder, is much stronger and is more skillful than the fighter who dropped Marquez four times in their previous encounters. Most amazingly, despite being stronger and packing on more muscle, Manny has not lost any of his blazing speed.

To be quite honest I doubt if Juan Manuel Marquez has much of a chance at defeating Manny Pacquiao. It is true that styles make fights and Marquez has given Pacquiao fits in the past, but in this fight Marquez has too many strikes against him. It is doubtful that he will be able to handle the new and improved version of Manny Pacqquiao at 144 pounds.

One thing is certain in this fight. Marquez will either win or go out on his shield in the attempt. After calling out Pacquiao for the last couple of years he cannot pull a Shane Mosley and go into full retreat if he gets stung by Pacquiao and it is likely that Marquez will get stung early and often by Pacquiao.

Manny for his part needs to come up with an impressive win over Marquez. To boxing fans an impressive win means he needs to KO Marquez. Boxing fans were less than thrilled at the Pacquiao – Mosley fight and although it was not Pacquiao’s fault that Mosley chose to run away after being knocked down, Manny was embarrassed at the outcome of the fight and needs a stellar performance in this one.