The first two rounds seemed to pick up where they had left off, Marquez looking to counter and Pac being cautiously aggressive in taking the first two rounds. The third, however, was to change the fight entirely with Marquez flooring Pacquiao hard with a looping right hand, one that probably wouldn't have landed on Pacquiao a few years ago. Manny got up and did not look to be that hurt, considering how hard he went down. He fought back like a Champion, but to me did not look like Pacquiao anymore. He was flat footed and seemed like his reflexes had abandoned him, nevertheless he fought back and even floored Marqez with a left in the fifth. Even though Manny looked like he had gotten old, he was busting Marquez up and even had him in trouble at the end of the 6th, before Marquez landed a hard right to an oncoming Pacquiao to put him flat on his face and completely motionless.
I don't want to take anything away from Marquez, it was a hard fought victory and an epic and historical fight, so he deserves credit. I had said in a previous post that if Marquez boxes more aggressively and intelligently he would win, and intelligently box he did. Marquez engaged Pacquiao more than he did in the previous fight, but not too much. He likely did this because he knows that Pacquiao will come right back, presenting Marquez with opportunities to counter. To me this was rather clear, and I thought it was genius but it seemed to be working against Marquez as Manny was busting him up. That being said, Manny's reflexes were just not there and he relies on those to get himself out of the way of incoming artillery and it just wasn't happing this fight. He was getting caught a lot more than he had in their previous fights, so Marquez's plan worked brilliantly. Engage Pacquiao with one or two punches, then counter when Pacquiao comes back. The knockdown only served to speed this process up as Manny knew he had to get Marquez back.
It really was sad to see Manny in such a sad state, but it was inevitable. The man has been in several wars and no doubt has some miles on the odometer. This fact seemed to be evident in his last few fights where he looked less than stellar. It reminds me of when Roy Jones Jr. was knocked cold by Antonio Tarver, it was bound to happen eventually but none of us thought it could happen to either Jones Jr. or Pacquiao, at their best they seemed unstoppable. But with the way Pacquiao looked, I think its safe to say that its the end for a legendary fighter who has given us some fantastic fights and stellar knockouts.
As for Marquez, he took some shots but clearly was the better fighter, and looked it. While Pacquiao's skills have faded, he still carries that power. But Marquez valiantly fought through it, lured Pacqiao to engage him and finally got the win over his nemesis, which is probably more satisfying to Marquez than any belt, championship, or any amount of money. For Marquez it is a fitting end to a bitter rivaly that has lasted years. He certainly did not look like a 39 year old man in there and for that alone he should be commended but, its best to go out on a high note, and what better way to go out then by knocking out your nemesis and arguably the best p4p fighter in the world. Although, there is always a rematch with Mayweather, who also seems to be fading and now seems like a winnable fight for Marquez. Either way, congratulation to Marquez and to Manny, thanks for all the memories, enjoy your career in politics.
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