Will You Watch Pacquiao-Marquez 5?

JMM’s KO Shocks the Boxing World!

With one second to go in Round 6, Juan Manuel Marquez shocked Manny Pacquiao–and shocked the boxing world–with what’s being called “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.”

This was the fourth go-round for the two warriors with JMM seeking his first victory against the Filipino icon. In their previous three feuds, the two fought to a draw with two wins awarded to Pacquiao. On Saturday night, Marquez was looking for sweet revenge and this time, he settled the score in Pacquiao-Marquez 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This fight would start “Round 37” in their storied rivalry.

But this fourth clash also had many saying “enough is enough,” saying they wouldn’t watch, vowing to never buy another PPV again after the controversial Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley bout. In Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV, nobody wanted that kind of judging drama to occur. But when this fourth collision was formally announced, I knew I’d watch. Theirs is a famed rivalry that extends to their Hall of Fame coaches Freddie Roach and Nacho Beristain as well. And Pacman and “Dinamita” are two gladiators, who against each other, promise fireworks in the ring.

The main thing boxing heads worried about was the judges’ decisions as Team Marquez and JMM’s fans have balked over the past rulings in their last three fights. On December 8, Pacquiao was the odds on favorite to win at the sports books, but Juan Manuel was the crowd fave, the “People’s Champ” as evidenced by their loud chants coming through the PPV broadcast. The fans were still incensed over the judges’ decisions in their three matches, and there was also a strong sense of controversial drama that could ensue in this fourth fight. But this time, the drama that came to a head during six rounds of this instant classic was fistic drama at its best, culminating in a shocking ending.

So for those that chose to not witness this fight, you missed out and what the masses are saying is, arguably, “Round of the Year,” “Fight of the Year,” “Knockout of the Year” and even “Upset of the Year.” Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve heard of Bruce Lee’s famed “1-Inch Punch”? Well after Saturday night, the fight world will forever remember Juan Manuel Marquez’s “2-Inch Punch”–a shot that changed it all. A “W” for Team Marquez in their fourth meeting with Pacquiao–with one second to go in Round 6. It was unbelievable.

In the first two stanzas, Manny started out well, looking similar to the speed demon the world has come to know. Moving his head more, the Congressman prizefighter took the first two rounds. But Marquez, a counterpunching wizard, had a couple of tricks up his sleeve. In Round 3, he knocked down his nemesis with a thundering right, in hindsight foreshadowing what was to come.

The next two rounds had the boxing world’s rapt attention. This was something special between two men who have come to know each other well.

In their epic Round 5, the tables turned again when Pacquiao delivered a left that caused Marquez’s glove to touch the canvas. The Mexican gladiator came back, exchanging leather as the duo engaged in a pure fire fight for the ages, with Manny appearing to inflict more damage. At this point, we all realized you can never doubt the heart, will and determination in both of these two true champs as Roy Jones Jr. kept exclaiming: “Marquez is hurt bad, Marquez is hurt bad, and Marquez won’t hold!”

Then came Round 6.

A battered Marquez, 39, was bleeding. The HBO announcers commented he appeared to have trouble breathing out of his nose, but Juan Manuel continued to engage in the battle. Smelling blood, Manny, 33, looked to finish his foe, moving in for the kill. But one second, one tiny little second, changed everything. At 2:59 of Round 6, Marquez landed a thunder shot, a monster right hand that connected on the face of the Filipino superstar.

The world watched Pacquiao go down face first, lying motionless on the canvas as referee Kenny Bayless tended to the fallen fighter. Marquez fans erupted while Manny fans held their breath as their hero was still and not moving. After what seemed like an eternity, the southpaw’s eyes opened and he came to.

And just like that, in one second, one punch with one second left in the round, Juan Manuel Marquez got his KO win over Manny Pacquaio. He didn’t want to leave it in the hands of the judges and with that devastating shot, no questions remained in this victory.

Instantly, the fans around the world took to social media to discuss, rejoice, analyze, commiserate, berate and argue over every little minute detail about this six-round war.

Pacquiao (ahead by one point on the official judges’ cards before the KO) said later in reports that he got caught with a punch he didn’t see coming. Many pro fighters have voiced their own opinions that this is nothing new in boxing, it’s happened to the best of them. When the TV screens showed Manny’s wife, Jinkee, understandably hysterical at seeing her husband out cold for the first time, the world also felt her pain and anguish.

And in the hours after the Marquez victory, social media continued to blow up. There were instant screen shots of Pacquiao lying prone, a sight we’d never thought we’d see. There are various memes running across Facebook with fans’ own brand of “humor” in the captions. There have been video clips posted showing Marquez training with that same shot he landed in Round 6. And countless “Monday Morning Quarterback” sessions.

And now talk of Fight #5 between the two champions. No doubt, it would be a lucrative fifth feud. Millions to be made and a victory up for grabs once again.

A “Quarrel for the Ages.” Respect for both champions.

We have heard Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank rave about this rivalry; we’ve seen episodes of HBO’s “24/7” document their training camps and personal lives. Now there will be tons of talk about a possible fifth fight between the two champs. And even though they share a heated rivalry inside the ropes, outside the ring, both prizefighters have shown mutual respect for one another with Pacquiao embracing Marquez and Manny telling HBO’s Larry Merchant he’d be open to a Fight #5.

Should it take place, will you watch Pacquiao-Marquez V?

When–and if–the two ever bang away again, I will be watching.