By Peter Wells: Usually when fighters have two classic wars that are so close that those watching can’t agree on who won then both those fighters will both go on to greater fights. But sometimes there’s an exception. Manny Pacquiao has gone on to become the best boxer on the planet and beaten everyone put in front of him with ease.

His only competitor in the PPV department is also his greatest rival in boxing, which shows how popular the Philipino icon has become. As for Juan Manuel Marquez he’s had to pull himself back up, fighting the top guys out there that no one else wants to fight. Now he has another chance to take what he believes he deserves.

In the first fight it looked over after just one round, when Juan Manuel Marquez hit the deck on three occasions. It was a tremendous fight back from the Mexican warrior but on my card it just about wasn’t enough. But one of the judges Burt A. Clements scored the bout 113-113 and only scored the first round 10-7 to Pacquiao even though the three knockdowns meant it should have been scored 10-6. His excuse was that he didn’t think that they could score below 10-7 – i guess we’ll take his word for that.

The rematch took a while to happen but once again the only man to hit the canvas was Marquez, but this time only once. It was another classic and in my book i had it dead even but i don’t dispute the Split decision in favour of Pacquiao.

Since that defeat he went on to beat Joel Casamayor (W TKO 11), in a highly entertaining and competitive fight, which was a draw going into the 11th round. Then he won another classic fight against “Baby Bull” Juan Diaz (W TKO 9), again the fight was even going into the 9th round. Next up was a needless money fight against the man known as “Money”. Floyd Mayweather’s return fight was as easy as a sparring session as he knocked down Marquez on route to a one way unanimous decision. It was just another example of how styles make fights. Afterwards he stepped back down to Lightweight where he defeated Juan Diaz in a less exciting rematch which he won by decision. Another classic followed when he defeated Michael Katsidis (W TKO 9) in a see-saw bout which saw Marquez hit the deck again. Then in a warm up fight he knocked out uninterested challenger Likar Ramos (W KO 1).

As for Pacquiao it’s just got better as he stormed into the Lightweight division dismantling David Diaz (W TKO 9), then captured the sporting world by surprise when he defeated and retired another Mexican legend in Oscar De La Hoya (W RTD 8). Then he dropped to Light Welterweight to take out “The Hitman” Ricky Hatton(W KO 2) and then won the WBO Welterweight title off Miguel Cotto (W TKO 12). After a bunch of exciting fights, that run ended when Joshua Clottey came to survive – and survive he did – in a 12 round bore. Antonio Margarito spiced things up a bit but was ultimately beaten up in another one-sided affair. Shane Mosley then made it a hat-trick of fighters to make it to the end against Manny but like Clottey he came for the cheque.

Many believe that Marquez having to move up in weight will give Manny a huge advantage but it’s hard to see this being nothing less than a close fight. Manny’s and Juan’s styles are just made to make a classic fight no matter how many times they fight.

Pacquiao is likely to be the aggressor but i’m sure he’ll be more controlled in his attacks than usual. Freddie Roach seems certain that a knockout is what is in store for Pacquiao, but i believe he’ll need something extra special to do that. Marquez may well hit the canvas but it’ll be a competitive and enjoyable fight for sure. I believe the final verdict will be close enough for Marquez to leave with his head held high knowing he went close to beating the best fighter of his era on three occasions.