When the bell rang after their 36th round of action, both Manny Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez knew they both were at the mercy of the judges. By majority decision and fair margins, Pacman escaped with a hard earned victory. I was shocked to see Marquez be that successful at that weight for the majority of the fight. After the dust settled and I reflected on the fight, I view Manny’s victory as more of Marquez’s loss.
Manny fought hard but could not figure out Marquez. Marquez proved that regardless of the weight, which he carried very well, that he has the formula to beat Pacquaio. Marquez was extremely accurate and landing the harder, more accurate punches. Going into the 10th round, I had Marquez up 5-4. There were 2 swing rounds which could have gone either way, changing an individuals scorecard. From the corner of Marquez, the famous Nacho Beristain convinced Juan Manuel that he was clearly winning. Winning? This was an extremely close battle that was in the hands of the judges who depending on how 
they viewed the fight, could have Pacquaio up 6-3 at this point. Pacquaio controlled the ring while Marquez controlled the pace. A judge could favor either quality and have either fighter up significantly. Unfortunately Team Marquez did not see that and allowed Juan Manuel to go through the last three rounds in a lackadaisical state. This was the hugest and most frustration part of the fight. Marquez was on the verge of beating the top pound for pound fighter, and seemed to be the problem that Pacquaio had few answers for. He made his way to the final bell. Marquez gave Pacman 3 easy rounds in an already close fight. With the several swing rounds, Marquez should have boxed as aggressively as the first nine. He would have come away with the victory. Instead, we cry robbery and ignore the fact that he gift-wrapped the final three rounds and asked them to be hand delivered to Pacquaio.
Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, but didn’t. Marquez could have beaten Pacquaio. We saw him win a handful of rounds with the possibility of more depending on how the swing rounds were scored. Marquez would have beaten Pacquaio if he continued to fight with hunger in rounds 10-12. Marquez should have beaten Pacquaio but was convinced by his corner that he had already done enough to win. Marquez did not beat Pacquaio because of those last three rounds. The judges had it right with all different interpretations of the swing rounds.
I hope HBO reairs the fight with additional behind the scenes footage to hear the different camp reactions to the decision.
well spoken rob,when you fight champion push him to make mistakes so that you can capitalize on them which is what marquez should have done,cause there was a time where manny started to be impatient when marquez caught him with few punches he should continued doing so not relying on judges,pac-man has make sure that he throw clean punches and control the ring and the last two rounds,marquez mistake was to put his head infront of pa-man so that he can punch very well,pac-man won the fight without a doubt
@Edgar,
I don’t think Marquez wants a fourth fight. He’s already frustrated with the outcomes of the three fights. He’d have to knockout Pacquiao to get recognition. Even then they would call it a draw.
manny pacquiao left the fight in the hands of the judges and he won ? your point just because hes the champ shouldnt make a difference a win is a win
Why did Marquez leave the bout on the hands of the judges knowing the last two outcomes. He should have continue to be aggressive and a knock out could have secure the win.
but either way. What now? do you really want to see pacquiao-marquez 4?
this is to jay marquez was more aggressive in the mayweather fight this is the punch stats Total Punches Landed: Mayweather 290/493; Marquez 69/583
as you see he threw 100 more punches but thats not his game and he lost like every round in that fight so for you guys to say and im talking to rob that he should of went after it and be off his counter punch game think again
I’m agreeing with bill major on this one. He said it simple and true, couldnt have said it better myself. Marquez wasnt aggressive enough so he got out scored.
actually pacquiao should of kod marquez,i felt he was to cautious . marquez was just countering and didnt go after it , threw way less shots . …..pac out fought him. no controversy here. its BS !
@ Rob Rutz
Rob, who are you to say that Marquez let down in the last three rounds?
He is a counter puncher, that’s how he fought the entire fight, he waited for his opportunity. You’re quick to blame Marquez but not Pacman. Why didn’t Pacman push the fight even more the last rounds? Why didn’t Pacman win each round decisively?
I’m not saying that Marquez won and I’m not saying that Pacman won either, this fight was clearly a draw. And if you’re going to use the argument about “you got to beat the champ to be the champ”, Marquez is a champ and is the 5th or fourth ranked pound for pound fighter, he wasn’t just a contender.
I had Marquez with a well earned victory. Rob must have been watching a different fight.
hbo commentary rides pac-man dick they only talked about him when marquez landed all the effective clean shots such bull shit
Marquez was considering retirement after the fight. Hopefully he reconsiders. After all, he is still the lightweight champion.
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