By Scott Goldie: I have read several different opinions on the upcoming November 12th, Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez contest; On review of the previous contests I must say I am in the similar position that Marquez deserved better scoring. I personally scored the first fight 113-112 in favour of Manny Pacquiao based on the 3 knockdowns in Round 1.

I feel after the first round of that fight Marquez came out and caused Pacquiao problems with affective counter-punching and fine pressured punches; the second fight I scored 114-111 in favour of Marquez but this was a very close decision as many rounds could easily have been given one way or another and it proves as the judges again varied and gave the decision to Pacquiao in this instance.

In both fights the cause of points going against Marquez was simply the knockdowns; when Marquez committed himself into a slug fest, trading punches with Pacquiao he was hurt bad! He fought on but knockdowns are simply not good when you cant apply the same to your opponent; Marquez could not knockdown Pacquiao then and he wont be able to now! when Marquez was strict, played off the counter punch and boxed Pacquiao he was much more successful and that’s how he dominated the fights majority. Simply put, Juan Manuel Marquez must keep strict and hold a high BOXING stance if he is going to have any chance of winning this third fight; past Pacquiao fights have proven you cannot go toe-to-toe with him and try to out punch, or out power him: ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. He is far to relentless, fast and powerful to cope with in that instinct. Pacquiao can be beaten, by boxing against him.

Thus in conclusion, Marquez; remain on your feet if possible. Commit to solid technical boxing and use your strengths against his weaknesses and you may have a chance. Whether the near 40-year-old has the skills now to defeat the typhoon Manny Pacquiao is yet to be seen. I generally believe that at this time Pacman is too relentless, strong, explosive and talented but I also feel this is Pacquiao’s most difficult fight in years and I do believe he needs to put Marquez away to cement himself as one of the all time greats. No more plodding around glorified punch bags. It’s time to see some boxing!