Ironically it was the performance before the KO that made me think 'Pac is back'

[Beercules]

No. I can't say I agree. He was affected by everything marquez threw at him, the knockout was coming and you could tell. His feet were heavy and his punches weren't affecting marquez in the slightest. Marquez even looked like the bigger man in the ring that night and his legs looked fresh, while pacquiao's looked tired in the 6th round. I don't know how he trained for that fight, but he didn't appear conditioned as well as he used to be to me. He looked like an aging fighter next to a guy that was older than him.

Lol you're joking right ? Juan with a broken nose barely breathing, Nacho about to have a stroke in the corner and you say Pac was looking bad before the KO?

[Doctor_Tenma]

That's what I said as well, vintage Pacquiao. Of course he was still lunging in and getting off balance but that's always been him. Regardless he looked as good as he's ever looked. Marquez was very fortune that Pacquiao didn't take his time, I don't think Pacquiao ever had Marquez at a more vulnerable state than that, Pacquiao may have gotten way too overanxious because it really looked like it was that time for him. Still, that's just a testament to how great both fighters are really.

[Dinamita 03]

That's what I said as well, vintage Pacquiao. Of course he was still lunging in, getting off balance but that's always been him, regardless he looked as good as he's ever looked. Marquez was very fortune that Pacquiao didn't take his time, I don't think Pacquiao ever had Marquez at a more vulnerable state. That's just a testament to how great both fighters are really.

How was that more vulnerable than the first round of the first fight?

[Doctor_Tenma]

How was that more vulnerable than the first round of the first fight?

That being the only exception, wasn't thinking.

[PAC-BOY]

He got hit by a good shot.

[Motofan]

I agree with TS that the last Marquez fight was the best PAC has looked in a little while against a top level guy. He was quick, sharp and I had him ahead by a couple points at the time of the stoppage. If his chin isn't cracked he will ruin Rios in a Margarito type way.

[Warrios]

Lol you're joking right ? Juan with a broken nose barely breathing, Nacho about to have a stroke in the corner and you say Pac was looking bad before the KO?

lol no I'm fcking not actually. This is what happens when you do away with Strength & Conditioning imo. Manny is a great fighter, but he's not so special that he can just choose not to put in the work like he used to.

Nacho's face usually always looks confused or bothered, that's irrelevant. Look at Pacquiao's legs, it's beyond being off balance here and there, it's looking uncoordinated and tired. I don't know how else to say it. He looked weak, at least compared to Marquez in the same ring.

[BennyST]

Before that KO by hulked up Marquez Pac looked to be on point, most impressive he looked since Margarito imo, such a shame that he literally ran into that punch . As long as the 'switch' hasn't been pushed on Pac's chin and he beats Rios he's still the guy that will give Floyd his toughest fight. The question is his chin, with talk that he was sparring with Ruslan before the Marquez bout (dumb move by roach) maybe he had some residual effects? And in addition the strange body transformation that Marquez went through might have had an effect on his future ability to take a punch..

Pac is mentally strong though it's remarkable really, dude was put to sleep and reportedly played chess and doesn't seem to be really shattered mentally like other boxers.

In conclusion it's not whether his physical attributes have declined, because I believe this is largely a myth, his speed, power and stamina have declined since Hatton which I believe was his absolute prime, but they haven't declined as drastically as people have made out, the question is his chin.

Marquez had exactly the same body transformation for the 3rd fight, but he couldn't even knock Pac down.

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/441/761/132352332_crop_650x440.jpg?1321136636

Had nothing to do with his 'transformation' and everything to do with landing a perfectly timed counter shot.

[BennyST]

How was that more vulnerable than the first round of the first fight?

I do agree with what he said. That was the first time Marquez looked genuinely on the verge of being too hurt to continue.

I think it was a combination of Marquez being older and slower than ever, but still having his usual offensive arsenal and just going for it, and Pac looking as good as he has since Cotto and really trying for the KO.

That's what happens when you go all out trying to KO Marquez though. You get KTFO in return.

[Doctor_Tenma]

I do agree with what he said. That was the first time Marquez looked genuinely on the verge of being too hurt to continue.

I think it was a combination of Marquez being older and slower than ever, but still having his usual offensive arsenal and just going for it, and Pac looking as good as he has since Cotto and really trying for the KO.

That's what happens when you go all out trying to KO Marquez though. You get KTFO in return.

Watching it live I remember thinking the next round may be it for Marquez but we're talking about Marquez here so nothing is a certainty. I didn't think Marquez was gonna recover in time to stand up to Pacquiao in the proceeding round. I guess it's debatable but one thing that always strikes me is Maquez made a serious error that luckily for him didn't get him, an expression that could have been interputted as him not wanting to continue in the first fight, he laid his head back after the third knock down, both hands to his face...glad Cortez didn't see it as such.