As a boxing and mixed martial arts enthusiast, I have predicted months ago how the fight would be like between Manny Pacquiao and Manuel Marquez for the third time they meet in the boxing arena. As expected, the Mexican´s counter-punching ability and experience made it appear “Pacman” as a loser. How did in the world the decision favor Pacquiao?
Technically in the judges´ perspective, the challenger needs to clearly beat the champion in such dramatic fashion to become the new champion, not necessarily to knock him out if you can´t, but somehow immobilize him from slugging you off and push the pace of the game. Marquez and Pacquiao was a classic example. Though Marquez settled clean counter shots, he was unable to slow Manny down…That counts on the judges´ eyes. The same controversy haunted the UFC´s “Machida and Rua” light heavyweight contest few years back. Just like what Rua did on their next battle, if Marquez wanted to dethrone Pacquiao, he must have pinned him down in the mat and prove to the world that he can stop or slow Pacquiao down. If it was Marquez´s game plan to wait for Manny to engage and him to counter, then it wasn´t enough to become the division´s new champion on the judges´ eyes. Though the viewing public has its own judgment about the fight, everybody should know that emotion is not a criterion at all to render the victor to someone who landed great shots but never shut the champion down – which in fact it was Pacman who dictated the pace of the entire fight. It should be a mile distance away of damage done to defeat the reigning belt holder – that´s the essence of the sport that has judges on the sideline who render decisions when the fight goes in distance.
In the flipside of the story – on acceptance, for the first time I witnessed Manny lie on his face when he said he clearly won when asked about his thought of the fight in the post-fight interview. Though it´s not him to blame why Marquez lost contrary to most people´s judgment, his statement caused to lost some fans…I myself for one (momentarily). He knows even towards the last round that he was losing. His corner reminded him since the end of 7th round but he never showed more combinations as expected. When the bell finally rang to end the fight, he was in absolute resigning stance – hands, head down while Marquez´s hands are exuberantly raised.
I am not a judge myself so I´m not judging Manny on this cloudy chapter. It always feels "heavenly" when we give people a chance to redeem themselves. You have the fourth chance Marquez, but I´m not sure if Bob Arum gives you. Manny, keep your head down when you need to.
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