By Daniel Burns: After two fights, 24 rounds and four knockdowns, Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO’s) will once again step back into the ring with Filipino superstar and number one ranked pound for pound best fighter on the planet, Manny “pacman” Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s). These two ring warriors will do battle for a third time on the 12th November at the MGM grand hotel in Las Vegas to close the curtain on this controversial but exciting saga of fights.

Rewind back to the 8th may 2004, when these two ring legends first met in the ring. It was for the W.B.A and I.B.F featherweight championships of the world. Marquez was put on the canvas three times in the first round of the fight. It looked as if Pacquiao’s speed was to much for the Mexican legend and he was about to finish him off, but in true fashion as Marquez has showing over the years his “never say die” attitude managed to get him back into the fight. His determination to get into the fight was working as he was starting to hurt Pacquiao with his shots. After 12 rounds of non-stop action, the judges scored the fight a draw.

Four years later, on the 15th march 2008 these ring legends met for a second time. This time for the W.B.C super featherweight championship of the world. As soon as the first bell sounded the non-stop action started once again. Marquez was again put on the canvas by a Pacquiao straight left hand, which significantly would be the defining moment of the fight. Once again it was an all out war and a very close fight in which the pacman won a split decision. Many boxing experts and writers thought that Marquez done enough to snatch the victory that night.

These two fighters have taken different routes since the last time they met. Marquez has dominated the lightweight division, becoming the best lightweight in the world beating the likes of Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KO’s) and battled hardened Australian Michael Katsidis (28-4, 23 KO’s) proving he is top of the division. Pacquiao mean while seems to be a completely different fighter. Moving up the weight divisions destroying the likes of Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KO’s), Ricky Hatton (45,-2, 32 KO’s), Miguel Cotto (36-2, 29 KO’s) and Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KO’s). Pacquiao seems to have taken his speed and power up through these divisions, which has been his key for wining his 8th world title in his eighth weight class. This is something of remarkable, for a boxer to start off as a flyweight then take his speed and power all the way up to light middleweight is phenomenal.

This time the fight will be at welterweight for the W.B.O championship of the world. Pacquaio will have weight advantage and I believe that his speed and power will be key for him to win this fight. I think he needs to get Marquez out early if he wants an easy night if he doesn’t, Marquez is going to make it a very uncomfortable night for the Filipino superstar. For Marquez to win the fight I believe he needs to come and fight and make it very uncomfortable for the pacman, and also focus on the body as much as he can. Pacquaio has been knocked out by body shots before, yes it may have been a long time ago but a good body shot on a fighter that has been knocked out by one before will do the same thing again and Marquez has the power to do it.

No doubt this fight will be a classic and will be a good end to the trilogy. Who will win? Will Pacquiao’s speed and power be too much for the Mexican legend? Or will Marquez’s “never say die attitude” overwhelm the Filipino superstar?

Good luck to both boxers may the best warrior win.

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