'Filipunisher' insists he was robbed

MANILA, Philippines- If Manny Pacquiao is the Mexecutioner, Juan Manuel Marquez is the Filipunisher.

Unless a tragedy strikes, it appears Pacquiao and Marquez are headed for a third encounter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 12.

No fighter has given Pacquiao as much trouble as Marquez in two fights. In 2004, they fought to a split 12-round draw although if judge Burt Clements only knew the rules, Pacquiao would’ve won by a split decision. Clements scored the first round 10-7 for Pacquiao when it should’ve been 10-6 because Marquez was floored thrice. Clements turned in a score of 113-all after 12 rounds when it should’ve been 113-112 for the Filipino. The error couldn’t be corrected under boxing rules and Clements’ mistake resulted in a draw. In a 2008 rematch, Pacquiao decked Marquez once and settled for a hairline victory by split decision.

Although Marquez hasn’t beaten Pacquiao in two attempts, the Mexican insists he was robbed twice. He wore a shirt with the words in capital letters “MARQUEZ BEAT PACQUIAO TWICE!!” in the press conference after halting Michael Katsidis last November.

In 2009, Marquez even flew into Manila to confront Pacquiao and challenge him to a third bout. He created a mild stir at ringside taunting Pacquiao and showing disrespect during an Araneta Coliseum card that featured Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire Jr. taking on separate opponents.

Marquez will be 38 by November but he’s kept himself relatively fresh for Pacquiao. He has averaged only two fights a year since 2004 even as he logged 431 rounds to Pacquiao’s 341. Marquez and Pacquiao have figured in 58 fights each with their knockout rates almost identical. Marquez has 38 KOs in 52 wins while Pacquiao, 38 in 53.

If the third meeting pushes through, it will be a different situation for Pacquiao in that he will outweigh his opponent. In his last seven fights, Pacquiao has fought heavier opponents from David Diaz to Sugar Shane Mosley. Marquez is the reigning WBA/WBO lightweight champion. Pacquiao is the WBO welterweight titleholder. The lightweight limit is 135 pounds and the welterweight limit is 147. In between the divisions is the lightwelterweight class with a limit of 140 pounds.

Marquez and Pacquiao have agreed to meet at a catchweight limit of 144. Marquez has never weighed in more than 142 for a fight – that was when he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on points in 2009. Pacquiao has never scaled more than 145 3/4 for a bout. Because Pacquiao is used to fighting as a welterweight, he will likely check in closer to 144 than Marquez. Will the expectedly lighter Marquez be quicker than the bigger Pacquiao? Will a bloated Marquez be slower than Pacquiao? If speed is not an advantage for Pacquiao, will it make a difference? Will Pacquiao’s power compensate?

In his storybook career, Pacquiao has repulsed a slew of Mexicans – Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera twice, Erik Morales twice, Jorge Solis, Antonio Margarito, Oscar Larios, Hector Velazquez and Gabriel Mira. His reputation as a Mexecutioner is revered and intimidating.

But Marquez has his share of Filipino scalps. He has knocked out Reynante Jamili, Baby Lorona Jr. and Jimrex Jaca. And of course, Marquez claims he beat Pacquiao twice.

For the record, Marquez has lost five fights to Pacquiao, Mayweather, Freddie Norwood, Chris John and Javier Duran by disqualification. He has never been knocked out. Known for his recuperative powers, Marquez suffered four knockdowns in two Pacquiao fights but finished both bouts on his feet. He was also decked by Mayweather but survived to go the distance. And Marquez got off the canvas in the third round to halt Katsidis in nine.

William Dettloff, writing in The Ring Magazine, said, “Marquez is not just a fighter, he is an athlete of perhaps the most extraordinary kind, an old athlete in a young athlete’s body...he’s a fighter through and through, Marquez has effectively reinvented himself.”

Trainer Ronnie Shields said, “the guy is just determined to be the best, normally, when you get to a certain age and you get these young kids putting pressure on you, like these you guys are doing to him, they say, I’ll give up, but this guy, he wants to be the best fighter in the world.”

Marquez is a technician, not an exciting fighter but a deliberate and methodical clinician. He will jab and counter instead of come forward and brawl. Shields said Marquez has the style to beat Pacquiao. That remains to be seen.

Before facing Pacquiao, Marquez is booked to battle David Diaz in Mexico City on July 2. The man known as “Dinamita” should be able to dispose of Diaz. Marquez won’t let anything get in the way of a third encounter with Pacquiao.