Pacquiao-Marquez IV, the final encounter?

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

TWO WEEKS to go and we will be watching another encounter of two world boxing icons, the Philippine’s pride Manny Pacquiao and Mexico’s legend Juan Manuel Marquez. This will be their fourth clash and many agree this will be their final chapter. It could be but I guess it all depends on the outcome of the fight. As far as I know a fifth collision is still inevitable if the result proves to be a draw or if Marquez wins the fight unconvincingly and results in an unpopular and very controversial decision. That is a big possibility.

Their three previous encounters clearly showed that the two protagonists are evenly matched. And I guess that’s what promoter Bob Arum wants. For him a fifth fight means another mega bucks. “I believe it’s easy to market a Pacquiao-Marquez V than a Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley rematch,” Arum said. He’s right.

The two pugilists are promising a very different fight this time with both predicting a knockout victory to erase the doubts over their three previous fights. Marquez luckily salvaged a draw in their first encounter despite being knocked down thrice in the first round. Pacquiao in his second encounter with him scored a split decision merely because of the knockdown he scored in the third round. If not for that knockdown, Pacquiao obviously lost the fight. There were no knockdowns in their third meeting but Pacquiao luckily got the nods of the two judges to score a majority decision that badly annoyed and irked Marquez and claimed that he won the fight including the first and the second clashes. And this is the reason why Bob Arum is bankrolling again the fourth fight just to solve the problem once-and-for-all as to who’s really better of the two. It’s a moneymaking venture for the three in particular. And in case Pacquiao losses via a knockout, I believe gone is the mega bucks plan to collide with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. that the world is waiting for. The knockout could happen but it’s unlikely. Or it could be the other way around and that’s what the Pacquiao camp is wishing for.

Pacquiao is determined to win his fourth fight against Marquez and Marquez as well. Marquez, 39, is now in the twilight of his sterling career and Pacquiao will just turn 34 this coming December 17 (a day before my birthday.) Pacquiao, despite dropping his vices like gambling and womanizing, critics say the congressman from Sarangani has slowed down because of his other activities, i.e., as an actor as well as a TV personality with a weekly program on GMA 7, recording artist and above of all, as a lawmaker. But I don’t think so. These critics can rant and complain but I believe they’re still for Pacquiao.  Me? I’ll just stay neutral for an obvious reason and you, dear readers, know why. But like you guys I also don’t want to miss the fight. So back to the big question: Do you think this fourth fight will be the final encounter of the two? “I don’t think so,” said my friend Boy Lalicon.  Kung may na-knockout ay wala ng fifth fight at kung close decision na naman ay malamang meron pa,” he explained, echoing my words. Let’s wait and see.

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My big congrats to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. and the board members of Pangasinan for leading our province bagged the “Best Performing Province in Region 1 2011-2012. Keep up the good work guys and more power.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. HEBREWS 4: 12-13

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