Pacquiao-Marquez IV: Pacquiao’s legacy hangs on the balance

Carlos Cinco

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Contrary to popular belief that a fourth fight will be insignificant, or will be a bore, Pacquiao-Marquez IV is the most important fight of the series

SINGAPORE – Somehow, with Manny Pacquiao, you get the sense that his recent slide has more to do with motivation than it has with age.

Though it’s true — those tree trunk-like legs aren’t as springy as when he was an up-and-coming 25 year old looking for a big payday — Pacquiao hasn’t exactly kept a mental edge like a hungry, youthful prizefighter either.

They say the sport of boxing is a young man’s game – and these two ‘old-timers,’ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez will look to turn back the clock once again to provide fans with another instant classic.

For Pacquiao, the absolute key to the fight is good preparation. Like his stablemate Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. learned the hard way just this past weekend, Pacquiao needs to keep 100% focused on training at all times and set all external, out-of-the-ring ordeals aside else be left in wanting.

Mission to knockout

The last time Pacquiao scored a knockout was when he completely obliterated Miguel Cotto in the 12th round back in 2009, a whole 3 years ago. Every fight since then has gone the distance and has failed to please many of his fans.

Everyone knows the fiery spirit of combat is always inside “The Pacman,” yet instead of show itself, it has given way to politics and bible studies.

Pacquiao however, does appear to be a man on a mission, even scribbling a note on a piece of paper saying “I need to knock him out” during the L.A. leg of Top Rank’s promotional World Tour.

Ingredients to a KO

Pacquiao will get the knockout the same way he’s always gotten every single one before, by throwing caution to the wind and loading up on a thousand power shots all at once. There’s just no other way to beat Juan Manuel Marquez convincingly aside from that.

He should stop trying to solve the riddle of Marquez by attempting to box him. At this point everyone should acknowledge the fact that yes, Juan Manuel Marquez is the better boxer. Period. That’s not to say that Marquez is a better fighter, but better boxer? Yes.

Remember that Pacquiao straight left that Marquez likened to a bullet? Pacquiao needs to unleash that – a million times over. Aside from employing the relentless aggression and boundless energy that he has become famous for, I just don’t envision any other way Pacquiao can shut Marquez up for good.

Pacquiao can only be Pacquiao if he gives 100% dedication to training. A lot of his strengths rely on his physical gifts. If his body isn’t operating at full capacity, he can’t expect to give a satisfying performance. It’s as simple as that.

If Pacquiao can return to his roots as a two-fisted monster who doesn’t let up, then maybe he can land that left hand bomb that has troubled so many – maybe then he can finally get that knockout he so craves.

ALWAYS CLOSE. Manny Pacquiao escaped with a majority decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez in their last fight together. (AFP FILE PHOTO)

Of course, there’s also that ‘other’ part of the problem – Juan Manuel Marquez. The Mexican pugilistic icon is a maestro of the Sweet Science and what makes matters worse, is he has totally figured out Pacquiao’s fighting style.

It’s no secret that he’s been Pacquiao’s kryptonite for the past 8 years.

Marquez has Pacquiao’s timing and rhythm down pat. He has the ability to make Pacquiao follow him around the ring wherever he wants and score the points that win rounds. The only time he doesn’t have success outboxing is when Pacquiao comes at him with punches in bunches.

Every other instance aside from that, and Marquez knows how to deal with it. This makes Marquez, and the December 8 fight, probably the most important night of Pacquiao’s career.

Legacy at risk

Contrary to popular belief that a fourth fight will be insignificant, or will be a bore, Pacquiao-Marquez IV is the most important fight of the series.

For Manny Pacquiao, the outcome of this fight will either have him go down in history as the beast from the east who knew no equal, or he will be known as Manny Pacquiao, a good boxer who got beat by Marquez 4 times.

On the flipside, Marquez’s legacy is already rock solid, even if he doesn’t beat Pacquiao convincingly. He gave boxing’s only 8-division world titlist hell for three fights and is generally known to be perhaps the greatest counterpuncher in the sport today.

Marquez however, will always remain a shade under Pacquiao in terms of greatness, win or lose.

This contest means more to Pacquiao than it does to Marquez, hence the public outcry against another bout between the two.

So much of Pacquiao’s reputation and overall legend is riding on this fourth fight.  If Pacquiao loses, he can kiss the Mayweather fight goodbye.

Should he win, then he’ll be the closest he has ever been to a grand finale against ‘Money May’ in 2013. – Rappler.com

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