Tweet
This is the post I wrote on my facebook, sort of a stream of consciousness thing directed at non-boxing/casual boxing fans, to sum up my entire view of what happened tonight:
Juan Manuel Marquez—a testament to dedication and perseverance. After years of getting ducked by Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, his more-popular featherweight countryman who would rather fight each other three times before granting him a shot, Marquez found his window opportunity in 2004 when Pacquiao, coming off a win against Barrera agreed to fight him. Despite getting knocked down THREE times in the first round, Marquez came back dominating from round 3 on and in all honesty, probably deserved to win a decision. The fight was ruled a draw. That is the measure of a man, to overcome such daunting odds, to will yourself to be back in the fight. But the perseverance wouldn't stop there. Not by a long shot. Over the years Marquez has followed his nemesis up the weight divisions biding his time for an opportunity to challenge Pacman again. In 2008 they fought again and Pacquiao won a split decision (this fight I felt Pacquiao won, but it was close enough to leave some doubt). Getting up there in age, Marquez defied the odds and made an impressive campaign at lightweight as Pacquiao became the greatest fighter in the sport two weight divisions north, defying his own set of odds as he miraculously carried his power up to 147 and won what was viewed as an unwinnable fight against Oscar De La Hoya. The same unwinnable fight Marquez was tasked with making winnable in 2011 when he had to jump the two weight divisions, as Pacquiao did three years prior, in order to face his greatest in-ring foe. Marquez had looked pedestrian against Mayweather, been knocked down against mediocre fighter Michael Katsidis, didn't look like he had what it took to unseat the great Manny Pacquiao. The odds were as high as 6 to 1 against him. Putting increased focus on upper-body strength and conditioning, Marquez ensured that it would be his power, not just his counter-punching, that would prove to be the equalizer. And it was, as most observers believed he was robbed of a victory. Now tonight at age 39, the long journey and quest for the ever-elusive victory against the man with all the fame, accolades, and respect he himself has sought after all his life, has finally come. The smartest fighter in the sport has now made the strategical adjustment he needed to become one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Not to mention Marquez's nose was busted in this fight as well, meaning this fight would not have lasted much longer. He was down on the cards and probably losing the round he got the knockout in, so he needed something big and something quick. The knockout shot was of course, a counter-punch, the punch that has come to signify his entire career, intelligence and above all, patience. I can't say enough about this performance and I encourage everybody who hasn't yet, to watch the highlights of the first two fights (the third was kind of dull) and then watch this in its six-round entirety. If that doesn't make you a fan of the sport, I don't know what will.
And of course, this likely brings an end to the career of another all time great, brought down by overconfidence, as so many of the best are when they reach a certain level of success. Pacquiao's heart lies in Congress, helping his people, and after a knockout like this, I sincerely hope that's where he stays. His performances against De La Hoya, Cotto, Hatton, Morales, Barrera, and of course Marquez have been nothing short of legendary. It's been a pleasure watching him through the years giving me countless hours of entertainment and fanboy gushing on more forums than I can count, but a source of frustration as the dream fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. was and never will be made, and the ever-present feeling that he could have been even greater had he committed himself fully to his craft, the way Marquez has done all his career. Ultimately it came down to who was more focused, who was more hungry, and the old adage, who wanted it more. It's clear Marquez's want will allow him to accomplish anything (well, maybe except against Mayweather) and Pacquiao's lack of focus brought an undoing to his storied career. And don't even get me started on what this means for PEDs testing in boxing, that is an issue that needs to be addressed. Not to spoil a victory, but a 39 year old man doing what he did against an ATG is sure to raise a few eyebrows and rightfully so. Even still, a bittersweet night for boxing, as Mayweather-Pacquiao is no more, but the fitting conclusion, above all else to a fighter's story of perseverance.
Juan Manuel Marquez—a testament to dedication and perseverance. After years of getting ducked by Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, his more-popular featherweight countryman who would rather fight each other three times before granting him a shot, Marquez found his window opportunity in 2004 when Pacquiao, coming off a win against Barrera agreed to fight him. Despite getting knocked down THREE times in the first round, Marquez came back dominating from round 3 on and in all honesty, probably deserved to win a decision. The fight was ruled a draw. That is the measure of a man, to overcome such daunting odds, to will yourself to be back in the fight. But the perseverance wouldn't stop there. Not by a long shot. Over the years Marquez has followed his nemesis up the weight divisions biding his time for an opportunity to challenge Pacman again. In 2008 they fought again and Pacquiao won a split decision (this fight I felt Pacquiao won, but it was close enough to leave some doubt). Getting up there in age, Marquez defied the odds and made an impressive campaign at lightweight as Pacquiao became the greatest fighter in the sport two weight divisions north, defying his own set of odds as he miraculously carried his power up to 147 and won what was viewed as an unwinnable fight against Oscar De La Hoya. The same unwinnable fight Marquez was tasked with making winnable in 2011 when he had to jump the two weight divisions, as Pacquiao did three years prior, in order to face his greatest in-ring foe. Marquez had looked pedestrian against Mayweather, been knocked down against mediocre fighter Michael Katsidis, didn't look like he had what it took to unseat the great Manny Pacquiao. The odds were as high as 6 to 1 against him. Putting increased focus on upper-body strength and conditioning, Marquez ensured that it would be his power, not just his counter-punching, that would prove to be the equalizer. And it was, as most observers believed he was robbed of a victory. Now tonight at age 39, the long journey and quest for the ever-elusive victory against the man with all the fame, accolades, and respect he himself has sought after all his life, has finally come. The smartest fighter in the sport has now made the strategical adjustment he needed to become one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Not to mention Marquez's nose was busted in this fight as well, meaning this fight would not have lasted much longer. He was down on the cards and probably losing the round he got the knockout in, so he needed something big and something quick. The knockout shot was of course, a counter-punch, the punch that has come to signify his entire career, intelligence and above all, patience. I can't say enough about this performance and I encourage everybody who hasn't yet, to watch the highlights of the first two fights (the third was kind of dull) and then watch this in its six-round entirety. If that doesn't make you a fan of the sport, I don't know what will.
And of course, this likely brings an end to the career of another all time great, brought down by overconfidence, as so many of the best are when they reach a certain level of success. Pacquiao's heart lies in Congress, helping his people, and after a knockout like this, I sincerely hope that's where he stays. His performances against De La Hoya, Cotto, Hatton, Morales, Barrera, and of course Marquez have been nothing short of legendary. It's been a pleasure watching him through the years giving me countless hours of entertainment and fanboy gushing on more forums than I can count, but a source of frustration as the dream fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. was and never will be made, and the ever-present feeling that he could have been even greater had he committed himself fully to his craft, the way Marquez has done all his career. Ultimately it came down to who was more focused, who was more hungry, and the old adage, who wanted it more. It's clear Marquez's want will allow him to accomplish anything (well, maybe except against Mayweather) and Pacquiao's lack of focus brought an undoing to his storied career. And don't even get me started on what this means for PEDs testing in boxing, that is an issue that needs to be addressed. Not to spoil a victory, but a 39 year old man doing what he did against an ATG is sure to raise a few eyebrows and rightfully so. Even still, a bittersweet night for boxing, as Mayweather-Pacquiao is no more, but the fitting conclusion, above all else to a fighter's story of perseverance.
Comment