In Hollywood, sequels happen frequently, but rarely do they every live up to the original. In boxing, do-overs are also a big part of the sport, and usually subsequent bouts fail to capture the drama of the original. Pacquiao and Marquez will meet for the fourth time, and while the action has dulled as the fighters became more familiar with each other, the dramatic reading of the scorecards have become a bigger part of the story than the 12 rounds that precede them. Pacquiao wants to leave no doubt, and Marquez insists on finally getting his hand raised. The difference in this fight is that Marquez now has the body of a full fledged welterweight, and I believe he may be a infatuated with his new found power. This will lead to the counter-puncher to be more aggressive and take more punches. Which will lead to him getting countered and dropped. While he will have his moments, as he always does. The knockdown will again be the difference between sadness and euphoria.
Pacquiao w pts 12
Jason Pribila
Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania
USA
********
Three times I’ve picked Marquez to topple Pacquiao and on at least two occasions (Fights II and III) I’ve been accurate from my vantage point. The Pacman has blinding speed and wrecking ball power but technically he’s a level beneath the superb Mexican who is wonderfully adept at releasing counters to thwart the Pacquiao assault. Marquez, almost exclusively, wins the position battle against his southpaw opponent by getting his left foot outside Pacquiao’s right foot, which was most evident in Fight III when he rendered the legendary Filipino’s straight left hand meaningless. Marquez knows Pacquiao has power in the right hook but it is not a fight ending shot and, for me, he solved his arch rival in their first encounter. Pacquiao has been haunted by Marquez for almost a decade and he needs that definitive victory but his ego is likely to be his undoing. I see Marquez mixing the tactics he employed in Fights II and III, hitting with more power but countering enough to, once again, drown Pacquiao’s vaunted aggression. If the judges score on clean punching and ignore ineffective aggression then Marquez finally gets the “W”.
Marquez pts 12
Tom Gray
Motherwell
Scotland
********
Well these 2 should know each other pretty damn good, 3 fights spanning 8 years, 36 rounds, 108 minutes. Marquez in my opinion has won more rounds, Pac has had the marquee moments (3 knockdowns round 1 of first fight, knockdown in round 3 of 2nd fight) but I felt the best over all performance was their 3rd fight last year that I feel Marquez clearly won, close but clear. At age 39 I just don’t know if he can do it again. If he can he wins, but my pick is Manny another decision.
Pacquiao w pts 12
James Smith aka Smitty Host
IN THIS CORNER TV
Las Vegas
USA
******
For a fourth and most likely the last time, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will meet in the ring to do battle. Pacquiao is coming off a loss to Tim Bradley, a fight that he should have won. Marquez has faced Pacquiao three times, two losses and a draw. When they face each other in Las Vegas, both know anything can happen. To be honest, I think Marquez wants to win this fight more than Pacquiao, even though he is six years older. For Marquez to win, he will have to waste no time and go strait at Pacquiao and make a statement. He must fight every round like it’s the final round. Manny Pacquiao must also waste no time, an aggressive Marquez will not shy away when it comes to getting hit. In his last few fights Pacquiao appears that he may have peaked, don’t get me wrong, he is still a great fighter with amazing skill, but expect a more hungry Marquez. I see the fight going the distance, Marquez knocking down Pacquiao for a count in the later rounds and sparking a brawl. Pacquiao will survive the count but will lose on points due to the knockdown. By all rights, the should be enough for Marquez to edge out a win, but as we all know, anything can happen in Vegas.
Marquez pts 12
Ron Valderrama
Phoenix, Arizona
USA
******
my forecast is based on what is their weight. Marquez is coming to heavier weights from the same weight class as Manny and is naturally a bigger, stronger man, when showing the same digits on the scales. And at some point between light weight and welter he gets really stronger, than Pacman. Also, Marquez has one of those boxing styles, who are not intimidated by southpaws at all. (Cotto, Hatton, Margharito, and especially Oscar just knew nothing about fighting southpaws. Fighting southpaw is a nightmare for them. People like Tszyu or Maquez are southpaw hunters, southpaws are their preys!. So, unless Pac fights Marquez in 135 or in 150, I expect Marquez to go through the torture of another 12 rounds with Manny, but convincingly whip Manny’s ass, convincingly enough to get judges nod. Marquez SD12
Marquez pts 12
Dmytro Mossienko
Donetsk
Ukraine
Pacquiao= 5
Marquez = 6
December 8, 2012
