Critics of Manny Pacquiao like to point fingers and make claims of cherry-picking and convenient matchmaking and, Lord knows, I have engaged in such behavior over the years as the Filipino Phenom has gotten bigger, both literally and figuratively, as a pugilistic icon.
In my opinion, the criticisms have been warranted in five of his last seven fights. However, as Manny's November fight with Juan Manuel Marquez approaches, this critic will go on record as saying that Pacquiao is fighting the right fight for all the right reasons. The one question, though, is whether the right fight is taking place at the wrong time.
The first two furious bouts between the modern day icons, contested at featherweight and then super featherweight, were pure fistic joy. Two battles between proud warriors who not only wouldn't back down, but, almost literally, couldn't.
In the eyes of many, Marquez, who came away with a draw and a close decision loss, actually won both encounters. The second fight was especially controversial, with even the likes of Filipino Sports analysts Ronnie Nathanielsz, Recah Trinidad and Ed Picson giving the nod to Marquez. But any way you cut it, both battles were close, fiercely fought affairs.
And ever since the controversial decision was read at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Juan Manuel Marquez has been aggressively campaigning for a rematch.
But Manny, literally, had bigger things in mind as he would immediately move up to lightweight to take on WBC titlist, David Diaz.
In my opinion, the criticisms have been warranted in five of his last seven fights. However, as Manny's November fight with Juan Manuel Marquez approaches, this critic will go on record as saying that Pacquiao is fighting the right fight for all the right reasons. The one question, though, is whether the right fight is taking place at the wrong time.
The first two furious bouts between the modern day icons, contested at featherweight and then super featherweight, were pure fistic joy. Two battles between proud warriors who not only wouldn't back down, but, almost literally, couldn't.
In the eyes of many, Marquez, who came away with a draw and a close decision loss, actually won both encounters. The second fight was especially controversial, with even the likes of Filipino Sports analysts Ronnie Nathanielsz, Recah Trinidad and Ed Picson giving the nod to Marquez. But any way you cut it, both battles were close, fiercely fought affairs.
And ever since the controversial decision was read at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Juan Manuel Marquez has been aggressively campaigning for a rematch.
But Manny, literally, had bigger things in mind as he would immediately move up to lightweight to take on WBC titlist, David Diaz.
Three months after Manny moved up to 135, so did Marquez and he continued to call out his rival, in search of redemption. By then, though, Pacquiao was counting the coins that accompanied a fight at welterweight with golden goose, Oscar De la Hoya. Marquez would keep up his campaign, but Pacquiao was no longer even pretending to pay attention.
Marquez stayed busy, cleaning out the lightweight division and taking his own money bout, a 2009 welterweight blow-out loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After exhausting all other options, Pacquiao finally came back to Marquez, who was still working toward a rematch and more than willing to sever his relationship with Golden Boy for the chance to even the score while collecting a mid-seven figure payday.
The best time for this contest would've been three years ago when both fighters were lighting up the lightweight division, but it just wasn't in the cards. So, now, fans will get the second best possible fight (need I see which is first?) at a weight and a time that is less than ideal for Marquez.
The Mexican warrior definitely has the style and mindset to beat the reigning WBO welterweight champ, the question is whether the 38-year-old will be able to execute effectively at an artificially bloated 144 lb. limit.
We shall see, November 12th.
Marquez stayed busy, cleaning out the lightweight division and taking his own money bout, a 2009 welterweight blow-out loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After exhausting all other options, Pacquiao finally came back to Marquez, who was still working toward a rematch and more than willing to sever his relationship with Golden Boy for the chance to even the score while collecting a mid-seven figure payday.
The best time for this contest would've been three years ago when both fighters were lighting up the lightweight division, but it just wasn't in the cards. So, now, fans will get the second best possible fight (need I see which is first?) at a weight and a time that is less than ideal for Marquez.
The Mexican warrior definitely has the style and mindset to beat the reigning WBO welterweight champ, the question is whether the 38-year-old will be able to execute effectively at an artificially bloated 144 lb. limit.
We shall see, November 12th.
Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com
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