Boxings next trilogy? Will Pacquiao and Marquez do it again?

March 4th, 2009

Last Saturday nights showdown between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz proved many things. The minor note taken away was the fact that the fight proved Juan Diaz is a formidable talent that hasn’t learned the art of fighting with a severe cut, after twice now falling short to a determined veteran who took him in deep waters.

The major note was that as amazing as it was to witness Diaz struggle, again, it was far more amazing to see the efforts of the man responsible for that action.

Marquez continues to be one of those rare forces in the sport that rarely gets the attention he deserves, yet does all that he’s supposed to do when the spotlights come on.

Close, But No Cigars….

Of all the fights on Marquez’s resume, the most intriguing of them all have been the hotly contested showdowns with Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao.

In the first fight, despite the three knockdowns, Marquez was able to do enough to actually land a draw on the fight cards, meaning he out boxed the sports pound-for-pound champ well enough to keep it close despite spotting him three points for the knockdowns.

In the second showdown, things got even crazier as Pacquiao was given the nod on the scorecards, yet more than 20 boxing scribes around the sport showed unofficial cards that would have all given the nod to Marquez. Unfortunately for Marquez and his supporters, the cards that those boxing scribes tallied up didn’t make it to the record books, and there’s very little that can be done to change any of that at this point. Two Failed Attempts, One More Hope…

The only thing that Marquez can hope for is that he be given a shot at redemption. Trouble is, Pacquiao is looking for bigger and better things ahead, and most probably remember only moments after their last fight when both Arum and Pacquiao said in no uncertain terms that there will be no rematch, and if so, it won’t be any time soon.
With Ricky Hatton on the slate for May 2nd, and a potential battle of the sports two most recent pound-for-pound champs looming in the Fall with Mayweather, Marquez’s chance of landing a trilogy between the two are fading fast. Some may choose to be a bit unhappy with Pacquiao, but he’s paid his dues in the sport and now finds himself in the drivers seat. In other words, if he doesn’t choose to take the dangerous rematch, he has the right to look the other way. Unfortunately for fight fans, that doesn’t bode too well for a guy who’s used to taking on all comers at a moments notice.

Right now, Pacquiao has a major decision to make.

Follow The Leader

After years of watching Oscar and Floyd get ripped for seeking the big money fights, it’s now Pacquiao’s turn to either follow their footsteps or break the trend and give the hardcore boxing fans what they want. Most would love to be Manny Pacquiao for a day, but equally as many would hate to be the guy standing in his shoes when it’s time to make that decision. If he fights and loses…he loses in more ways than one. If he doesn’t take the fight, in the mind of the fans he loses in the worst way. Oddly enough, Pacquiao may soon learn what many fight fans already believe....which is the fact that no matter what, either way, he can’t win!

The only way to change that is to take the fight. Whether he does it or not, only time will tell.

Stay tuned!

(Follow more of Vivek Wallace’s work at Eastside Boxing, and 8CountNews, or show some love at Myspace and Facebook).