There should be a tango or no Pacquiao knockout

By Al S. Mendoza

IT takes two to tango.

In like manner, it takes two to box.

I say this again since today (Sunday, Nov. 13) is the much-awaited clash between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

It is scheduled for 12 rounds.

Pacquiao is staking his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.

The limit is 147 lb, but they are fighting at a catch weight 144 lb.

That was done to accommodate Marquez, who is a natural lightweight at 135 lb.

But instead of being grateful, Marquez keeps on harping that he was robbed of victories in 2004 and 2008.

Which is a pity because in both fights, Pacquiao was the real winner.

After absorbing three knockdowns in 2004, Marquez was fortunate to escape with a draw.

In 2008, Marquez kissed the canvass again, in the third round.

Rightfully, Pacquiao snatched a split decision win after that fight.

In short, in 24 rounds with Marquez, Pacquiao never dropped even just for once.

In contrast, Marquez fell four times.

So, for Marquez to claim he should have won both fights was pure crap.

That’s why if Pacquiao is angry, you can’t blame him for that.

That’s why if Pacquiao decides to knock out Marquez right in the very first round today, he’s well justified.

Even Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s Hall-of-Fame trainer, is pissed off by Marquez’s pronouncements he won the first two fights.

“I told Manny that if he sees an opening right in the first round, he should go for it and knock out Marquez,” said Roach.

Roach’s original prediction was for Marquez to fall in six rounds.

But as the fight neared, Roach was of the increasing belief that Pacquiao can knock Marquez out “even in the first round.”

“I’ve never trained this hard,” said Pacquiao.  “I want all issues to be settled with finality.”

The knockout will happen anytime, why not.

With Pacquiao, a knockout is almost as certain as night replacing day.

But then again, as I said, it takes two to tango.

And it takes two to box.

Pacquiao did not knock out his last three opponents and that’s because two of them—Clottey and Mosley—refused to fight.

The case with Margarito was different:  He was made of granite and no amount of axe-like blows from Pacquiao could chop down a man made of granite.

But with Marquez, it could happen.

Four times he fell against Pacquiao.

There’s no reason he wouldn’t fall again.  This time, the first time it happens, it will be for good.

But first, Marquez should mix it up.  Otherwise, we wouldn’t have a tango in Las Vegas.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments