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Marquez-Pacquiao: technical

The US television commentators were all for Pacquiao and they didn't give Marquez the credit he deserved for his gameplan. The fight should be called as it is seen, not biased towards one or the other fighter.

Wayne McCullough
Quotes of the week

In May 2004 Juan Manuel Marquez fought Manny Pacquiao to a draw.

Marquez was down three times in the first round but fought hard through the rest of the fight.

After that fight Pacquiao fought and beat Erik Morales, Oscar Larios and Marco Antonio Barrera.

Marquez, however, went a different route. He challenged Chris John for the WBC featherweight title and lost but went on to defeat Barrera picking up the WBC super-featherweight belt and successfully defended it against Rocky Juarez.

Going into the rematch I wondered if Marquez would be ready for another quick start from Pacquiao and could he sustain his pressure? Would Pacquiao be able to counter the counter-puncher?

Marquez fought a technically better fight in their first meeting waiting for Pacquiao's shots and throwing long left jabs and hard right hands.

Pacquiao would jump in with straight left hands and right hooks but he left himself open for the right hand coming back from Marquez.

This time, if Pacquiao knocked Marquez down he knows he couldn't let him off the hook because their last fight ended up being a battle for 12 rounds.

Marquez needs to box on the outside and catch Pacquiao jumping in.

Pacquiao was ranked #1 in the super-featherweight division even though Marquez was the champion going into their rematch which took place last Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Smarter

The second fight was a good fight but not a great one. It was very technical and both fighters suffered cuts.

Pacquiao's cut was over his right eye caused by a punch in round eight. Marquez got cut by a head butt over his right eye in the seventh and again by a punch in the ninth round.

Marquez was the smarter of the two and was very accurate. Pacquiao predictably jumped in a lot leaving himself open to shots from his opponent but he stayed busier.

Marquez was knocked down in the third round and that cost him the fight on my card. I had Pacquiao winning by one point.

The US television commentators were all for Pacquiao and they didn't give Marquez the credit he deserved for his gameplan. The fight should be called as it is seen, not biased towards one or the other fighter.

Pacquiao lost the last round but still looked like a winner at the end.

Marquez fought a good fight but came up short by losing a split decision. The judges saw it 115-112 for Marquez and 115-112 and 114-113 for Pacquiao.

I personally think they should do it again!