InsideBoxing.com (March 16, 2008) - Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1) had said before tonight’s fight against Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2) that the fight would be an all out war.
He
was as close to being correct as was the judges score cards.
Marquez lost his wbc super lightweight crown to Pacquiao when scorecards of 115-112 and 114-113 saw Pacquiao the victor. The judge seeing Marquez winning scored the fight 115-112.
There may be some controversy regarding the outcome of the match (i scored the fight 114-113 in favor of Marquez) but the fight was very close.
Marquez being knocked down in the 3rd round was probably the decision maker favoring Pacquiao.
These fighters traded solid punches throughout the bout, but Marquez was apparently treated as the contender and not the champion.
Las Vegas odds-makers had Pacquiao a 2-1 betting favorite. Compu-box totals had Marquez throwing, and landing, considerably more punches than Pacquiao.
This is where the knockdown was considered the deciding factor in giving Pacquiao the benefit of a split decision.
There
will not be (and rightfully so) another Marquez vs Pacquiao.
The new wbc super lightweight champion (130 lbs) is preparing to take on the current wbc lightweight (135 lbs) champion, David Diaz in late June in Las Vegas.
Promoter Bob Arum had said earlier in the past week that should Pacquiao be victorious against Marquez, Diaz would be next.
Furthermore, Arum (anticipating that victory) says that Pacquiao will be looking to unify the lightweight titles by taking on newly crowned 135 lbs champion Nate Campbell.
The 36 year old Campbell just recently went into Cancun, Mexico and upset Juan Diaz for the wba, ibf and wbo lightweight belts.
This fight (should everything fall into place) will be held in the new Venetian casino in Macau, the Chinese territory that, in 2006, generated more gambling revenue than the entire Las Vegas strip.
Should all of Bob Arum’s plans develop, this could become one of the all-time boxing spectacles and being compared to the ali-foreman and Ali-Frazier battles abroad, which developed huge revenues, would not be a reach.
There will be one major obstacle keeping this from coming to fruition.
David Diaz is, and will be, no pushover.
Either the team of Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach is not working or Pacquiao needs to re-dedicate himself to the gym and forget about music and the movies.
Pacquiao was unwilling or unable to produce the energy level we’ve become accustomed to in taking on Juan Marquez.
Moving up in weight will require his full attention as his power and stamina will most definitely be tested.
Manny Pacquiao has some soul searching to do in the next few days.
His time frame for decisions has been narrowed by none other than his promoter bob arum.
Attempting to fight David Diaz in late June will mean recovering from the nasty gash received in the Marquez fight and training to take on the bigger and stronger lightweight champ Diaz.
Being the Pilipino national hero of boxing, Manny Pacquiao has established his legacy in both boxing and his country. Does he continue to have the hunger necessary to move up in weight? Or is this the attempt by promoter bob arum to “milk the golden cow” for all he’s worth?
The battle last night gave some more validity in calling Pacquiao the “Mexican assassin”. Do not for one minute think that this title will not be the focus of the Mexican people as well as David Diaz.
What he and his promoter are lining up could possibly lead to his own assassination!
Some crucial decisions must be made by Manny Pacquiao in the next few days.
Honor and country are at stake versus world-wide fame and the lure of mega-bucks.
Whatever the decision (and it must come quickly) Manny Pacquiao makes, it could possibly be one he will either regret or cherish for the rest of his life.
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