The yin and yang of boxing, Manny Pacquiao’s best battle may have been against Juan Manuel Marquez.

But so many doubts and questions were left unanswered.
Manny took over boxing after his last rematch with Marquez. He conquered greater heights and has been boxing’s pound-for-pound king.
Marquez didn’t do badly, either, winning against Juan Diaz twice and Michael Katsidis.
However, it has been almost four years, since he fought Pacquiao. The gap is so wide, and Manny has slowly developed into a complete fighter.
The contrast in styles makes it still intriguing to watch their third encounter.
Expect all-out offense against slick counter-punching.

Pacquiao, who fights in the welterweight division, naturally becomes the bigger fighter compared to Marquez.
However, looking at the table, there aren’t extreme physical advantages to be had.

Juan Manuel Marquez has the bigger chest, biceps and fists compared to Pacquiao. However, Pacquiao’s wrists are Manny’s vital advantage, not just against Marquez but all his opponents.
He has the wrists of a heavyweight fighter.
Mike Tyson and Joe Louis, who were knockout punchers, were fighters in their prime. Both fighters had eight-inch wrists, the same as Manny.Wladimir Klitschko only has a 7.5-inch wrist, so basically Pacquiao is very unusual, especially as a former 105-pounder.

Juan Manuel Marquez Style

Jab
Juan Manuel Marquez’s jab may be underrated, but he throws a very good one. Even Freddie Roach has acknowledged Marquez is one of the best jabbers in the world (http://www.boxingscene.com/roach-pacquiao-style-changes-marquezs-jab–44251).
It’s clearly an element in Marquez’s arsenal.
Uppercut
We saw how Marquez dismantled Juan Diaz with a left uppercut that opened a bad cut on Diaz’s right eyelid. It was also a right uppercut that finished Diaz.The uppercut may not be Marquez’s bread and butter, but it can be equally effective as his jab.
Pacquiao’s chin will most likely withstand Marquez’s uppercut. If he knocks Pacquiao out, it definitely won’t be because of Manny’s chin.
Defense
Juan Manuel Marquez prides himself on counter-punching. It’s his best defense against opponents who move forward.
However, Manny Pacquiao’s movements are more calculated now. Marquez will have to do more than counter-punch.
He needs to up the ante. He needs to frustrate Manny, then go for the kill. He needs to fight a Josh Clottey-style defense until Manny opens up.

Manny Pacquiao Style

Jab
We all know this is not Manny’s top arsenal. He is not an outside fighter like Lennox Lewis, Felix Trinidad or the Klitschko brothers.
But this has become Manny’s unheralded weapon. Freddie Roach has done a superb job in refining Manny’s jab. The new Manny goes to attack with a jab, then follows with deadly combinations. Before, he would just brawl.
This was essential when he moved from one division to another. Expect a slightly conservative Pacquiao against Marquez, with lots of jabs and in-and-out combinations.
Uppercut
Manny’s uppercuts are more precise and are released from unorthodox angles. Usually, his uppercut comes after a series of combinations. Pacquiao unleashes his uppercut in tight situations, such as in a corner. But Marquez, when in a corner, dips his right knee to avoid punches, then counters while maintaining his stance. That is usually how he gets the best out of his opponents in a corner.
Defense
Manny’s offense is his best defense. Usually, Manny’s opponents go into defensive mode once they taste his power. Moving three divisions up since he last fought Marquez, Manny’s power has been increasingly dangerous. Marquez can counter well with Manny, but doubts will arise. How well can Marquez take Manny’s increased power?

Conclusion
Both fighters have their strengths and weaknesses. And all of those doubts and questions will be answered after November 12.
There won’t be any controversial decisions this time.
Manny has more advantages compared to Marquez, but we all know about Marquez’s counter-punching skills. When they say, “It comes in threes,” we all hope everything is settled in the third fight.

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They say it comes in threes… And now Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will slug it out for the third and final time.
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Antonio DeMarco watched a kid throw his half-eaten pizza in the dumpster and remembered how hard life had been.

He had to eat people’s leftovers from garbage cans to dumpsters just to survive.

This humbling experience is what keeps him grounded after all these years. It’s what keeps him moving forward with every failure or setback that happened on his career.

He had stood his ground against the late Edwin Valero. However, he was clearly outclassed and out boxed by an offensive dynamo on his first-world title fight.

Antonio never took it as a sign to give up…the will to survive…the will to get up. He can’t think of anything worse that could make him quit, maybe when you’re in the bottom for too long, you just get used to it.

Antonio is popular among Mexican boxing fans, not because he is a Mexican, but because they can really relate to his struggles. He becomes a symbolism for those who felt helpless and unwanted. This is a person who basically has his clothes as his only possession and became successful because of sheer will and determination.

Last October 15 was not only the culmination of his success but also the story of his life. He was trailing on the scorecards against the two-time champion Jorge Linares. With a welted and grotesque face, DeMarco rallied and scored an 11th round stoppage.

Many could have folded out and quit if they were in his shoes, but Antonio never doubted himself. Never did he think about losing, even if he was way behind. He could have absorbed three more rounds against Valero on 2010 but it would’ve still been for a losing cause. He lost to the better fighter that night and his trainer wanted him to quit.

This time against Linares there won’t be any white flags standing. This is how he goes through life. Poverty was never an excuse and when everybody expected him to fail and live his life in a dumpster, he strived to fight his way to the top.

Fighting back his tears, Antonio looked at his belt for one last time…from eating on garbage cans to winning a world championship belt, it was such a remarkable feat.

When they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, Antonio literally means it.

Article can also be found in bleacher

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Beyond the comfort of the Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio City as the tiny drops of rain started to pour down gently on Manny Pacquiao’s shoulder. It brought him to a childhood memory that put a smile on his face as he continues to run in the high-altitude terrain. It was the rain that became their bonding time with his siblings as they played along mud holes in a small town in General Santos. There he threw punches in the air weaving and ducking the raindrops as if it was possible to do.

In just a split second, it was as if time stops and everything seems to be moving in slow motion. The young Manny unknowingly instilled on his mind that on impossible situations, everything becomes possible if you try.

The rain comes from a tiny drop of water then becomes bigger until it reaches the vast ocean.

Who would have thought that a drop that is barely visible to the naked eye becomes so big and so grand.

That is why Pacquiao always felt a connection with the rain. With over billions of people in the world he stood there on the top…the boxing icon and the reigning pound per pound king. Yet, humble on ways you cannot fathom. Manny knows all of these things shall pass. Nobody stays on top forever…even the mighty walls of Jericho crumbled down. Everything is a cycle… like the rain that has gone through the top and goes all the way down through the rivers and back.

As the former two-division champion Jorge Linares became Pacquiao’s sparring partner for his upcoming fight, Jorge knows it’s going to be a good experience; however, it won’t be a pretty one. One heated exchange that left Linares’ eyebrow bleeding and was lucky he got his head gear on. This is how Manny imparts his knowledge if you want to be on top, then you have to feel the pain… no shortcuts… hard work…hard work.

As the drizzle of rain stopped and the road’s slippery texture becomes completely dry…everything goes back to normal. We won’t see another Manny Pacquiao…not in this lifetime. But like nature’s cycle, there would be that someone who fills up the void, a one in a billion chance like a tiny drop of rain that becomes majestic.

Beyond the comfort of a four-cornered shelter…on a place where nobody seems to know…there would be that someone weaving and ducking and throwing punches in the rain…

Everything becomes possible if you try…

Article also found on my bleacher profile

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Juan Manuel Marquez knows that his November fight with Manny Pacquiao will be one of the biggest fights of his career.

It won’t be like the first encounter, when he salvaged a draw, or like the close split decision he lost three years ago.

This will be his ultimate battle, his swan song before hanging up his gloves for good.

For the first two fights, Juanma was always the underdog, but still came close to winning against Pacquiao. However, this time, he is truly the underdog, in every sense of the word.

At 38 years old, and with 59 total fights under his belt, Marquez is a step slower. His quick reflexes have sometimes betrayed him, and it’s slowly becoming more of a mind game for Juanma— when the mind is willing, but the body is not.

Push, push, push.

As he goes through another grueling session, he knows Manny Pacquiao won’t rest; he sustains his energy from the first round all the way to the 12th. Pacquiao always prepares to go to war for 20 or more rounds.

Never give him an opening. Counter…counter.

This is what made him successful in their last two fights─every Pacquiao onslaught countered with precise and calculated punches.

“Pak…pak,” as the sound of the gloves hitting the mitts echoes throughout the gym. “That’s it… that’s it,” as Nacho Beristain loudly applauds his prized pupil.

This is what Marquez has been craving for the past three years.

He has handled fighters far younger than Pacquiao, and he stood his ground against the much heavier Floyd Mayweather Jr. There is no such thing as impossible in boxing; as long as you’ve got two arms, you’ve got an equal chance of winning.

This has become the only thing that keeps Marquez going: chance.

Manny Pacquiao has been steadily improving after his fight with Marquez three years ago. He’s fought bigger and more powerful punchers, and almost knocked out every one of them.

Marquez will now be facing a two-fisted monster, who had been campaigning in the welterweight division and light middleweight for his last four fights. Juanma looked bloated when he fought Floyd, and he was slow on his punches.

It has become an improbable feat to conquer.

However, Marquez won’t listen, and he won’t doubt himself going into his third fight with Pacquiao. He simply doesn’t care when critics say he’s old; he is prepared to die in the ring.

Chances…chances…

It’s slowly becoming a mind game.

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An exuberant Floyd Mayweather Jr. was shown on HBO 24/7 working hard at 1 am in the morning. Then someone said that “while everybody is sleeping, we are working.” However, right across the Pacific, right along the small city in the islands of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao has just started his day working out, doing his usual routine.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are two different individuals but have been bonded by one common thing and one common trait… greatness.

They are the two best fighters in the world and the two biggest names in boxing. In a perfect world, we would love to watch the two fighters fight and square it all off in the ring. However, beyond the realms of the four cornered ring, there are repercussions in making this super fight. Both fighters got their demands and both fighters ego and pride needs to be met. It has been almost two years since the initial talks started and for the most part, it all ended with both parties in disagreement. This is seemingly normal with the fight this magnitude it needs enough time and some sacrifices for this to work. The world has been patiently waiting, lurking and anticipating. This has become the nurtured plant that is slowly growing its first fruit.

This needs to happen, boxing needs it and the people’s uproar is becoming to be deafening. Both fighter’s legacies depend on it.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. unceremoniously knocked Victor Ortiz out when Victor became too friendly and failed to protect himself on their fight last Saturday. It was a legit punch, but it shows Floyd’s true nature—he wants to win, and he will do anything to protect his immaculate record.

There is a big contrast on how Manny Pacquiao could have done if he were in Floyd’s shoes—there is always a room for an apologetic person.

Floyd and Manny are two very different persons. Floyd comes to the ring with bravado while Manny goes directly into a corner and pray. However, they have similarities when it comes to charisma and showmanship. They are connected with the same destiny… and if for some instance, this super fight won’t happen then each fighter leaves a stain on their legacy.

Amidst, all the talk about 2012 as the end of the world we anticipate the clash between the two best fighters in our generation. The winner takes it all, but the loser will still remain a legend.

As Floyd took care of Victor Ortiz, now Manny will have to take care of Juan Manuel Marquez this November. One good performance against another… like the day welcoming the night… both are connected and yet so different. This fight will happen… at least if the Mayans believed next year would be the end of the world, we die happy.

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No one really embraces the villain role more than Floyd Mayweather Jr. does.

Almost everybody hates him, and people watch him to lose. It’s not the convenient path to go. However, every direction you take from the very first step you make; no matter how far or how long it all ends on the same finish line.

Understanding Floyd means you have to put your shoes on his and take a deep look inside the mask he has been wearing for most of his career.

Ever since his controversial defeat on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Floyd has been undefeated for 16 years winning 41 with 25 knockouts. Throughout his early years, boxing became his sanctuary. With a troubled childhood and his father locked up because of drug smuggling, it was boxing that became his only sanity. It became his refuge when everything goes wrong.

Floyd is just tired of being the victim whom he created a mask to cover himself. The mask became his alter ego—confident, cocky and arrogant. It brought him five different division belts, championships, fame and lots of money on the table. The mask had been on Floyd for too long that it became already part of him.

With all the trash talking, money burning and domestic violence Floyd has made more reasons to hate him. Nobody really could fathom how his mind works. But this is what he wants… this is what he likes the public to perceived—the evil villain who wants to rule the world. So engrossed by his role, he would do anything just to stay on top. And for the entirety, he is successful on what he did.

Nobody really wants to watch a movie with two good guys fighting. And just like a battery that works with two different polarities boxing still needs Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The epic battle of good versus evil will eventually happen. Floyd will eventually fight his true equal.

Nobody stays on top “What goes up must come down.”

It’s his destiny to be one of the best in boxing, but it’s his choice to be on the other side.

There is always a blue print to everything… sooner or later there would be someone better, someone faster and someone much stronger.

Nobody really knows what’s inside Floyd’s mind…nobody understands and somehow nobody cares.

Love him or hate him that’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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As the dawn reveals the early morning rays of the sun, we are always reminded of chances. The chance to enjoy life to the fullest, correct our mistakes, as well as the chance to forgive and to ask forgiveness. Each morning reminds us that we are still alive and that we have been given another opportunity to live.

For years Oscar De la Hoya had been living with chances, but failed to see the daylight. He had money, fame and power. He had a good life, a beautiful wife and two healthy kids. However, he still felt there is something left—a void that has gotten bigger each day.

There was no amount of money and no amount of accolades that could fill the emptiness. Alcohol became his constant ally, his ever loyal companion in times of soul searching.

And one addiction leads to another as he started taking cocaine then having marital affairs.

Everything has been slowly crumbling down. Somewhere down the line it has got to stop. He had been living two lives—one was the Golden Boy people loved and the other a troubled soul.

It takes a lot of courage to speak up and a lot of strength to be humble in defeat. For years, he had been battling his inner demons that it got to a point of taking his own life. But when he tried committing suicide, he found that something kept him from going through with it. They say that when you’re at rock-bottom there is nowhere to go but up, however, Oscar stayed in the middle.

Last Tuesday was his chance of liberation. He thought about it for thousands of times before agreeing to an interview by Univision’s Teresa Rodriguez. He could have silently gone into a rehab and kept everything in the closet. He had a good career and as a future hall of famer, there is so much to lose and so little to gain.

Oscar thinks about his life. He thinks about his struggles all the way to the top. He remembered how many lives he had touched. Then he thinks about his mother and how he trained to achieve his mother’s dream for him to become an Olympic gold medalist.

It is one memory that apparently kept him going throughout his entire ordeal aside from his family’s love. This is not what his mother wants, this is not the life she wants her son to live.

The moment Oscar started talking, it seemed as though each load was taken off piece by piece. His heart was free. This was his chance to make everything right. He may not be able to pull others up, but this is his way of not letting them fall.

There used to be something missing, but somehow he finally made his peace.

Oscar De la Hoya has found his meaning.

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The busy sound of the city streets, the traffic horns and sound of bells ringing, slowly becomes a normal synchronized rhythm. However, everything stops for a moment with people praising, clapping and blowing their horns harder as the pale skin and red hair Saul Alvarez passes by. The 21-year old who became the youngest WBC junior middleweight champion is loved, and treated like a celebrity in Mexico. Many already donned him as the next boxing superstar.

Everything was laid down for him, from winning a silver medal in the junior Mexican national championships, then winning the title the following year, all the way from his first professional fight after just 20 amateur fights.
He was Mexico’s new golden boy, and Saul gamely embraced it.

He had what it takes to be a champion, the charisma, excitement, and yet he has something that sets him apart from a typical Mexican fighter. He is like Picasso working in the ring. Every fight is like a master piece slowly unfolding into your eyes. He is a complete package at a young age. He can slug it out and then methodically dissect his opponents. He can avoid three punches then gives back four punches in return.

Saul wants to be the best and follow the footsteps of the great Muhammad Ali. But somewhere down the line being the best means you have to fight the best. And it doesn’t have to be fighters who donned the same family name of a future hall of famers. Like Matthew Hatton which is Ricky Hatton’s brother and Jose Miguel Cotto, who is the brother of Miguel Angel Cotto.

There are no shortcuts and no free passes, everything goes into the chain. Logically, to stay on the top is to beat all the opposition or the nearest threat.

Winning against Alfonso Gomez this September 17 doesn’t really mean anything for Saul’s career. He is expected to win and dominate Gomez in a convincing fashion. That has been happening for most of his career─ he was always expected to win.

The real test would definitely be against Vanes Martirosyan, the undefeated Armenian who is equally fast and talented as Alvarez. Vanes is the number one contender that is slowly making waves in the boxing ring together with his infamous coach, Freddie Roach. If that fight happens, then it would be Saul’s ultimate acid test.

He is destined to greatness ever since the first time he put on some boxing gloves while he was still twelve years old.

Out of the ordinary synchronized rhythm of a normal busy life. One goes out of the norm. Saul who was called “Canelo because of his cinnamon hair comes out special… Mexican fans knew they have a rough diamond in the making. It is his destiny… it’s in his genes…, and Saul is just a fight away.

One Vanes Martirosyan fight away…

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