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LAS VEGAS, November 11, 2011—Many believe Manny Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound boxer alive. He is one of the biggest draws in boxing, and being Filipino is an icon worldwide. Every fighter that has been put in the ring with him over the last few years have been easily destroyed. Except one. Juan Manuel MarquezMarquez and Pacquiao fought in 2004 to a draw. They fought a rematch in 2008 to a split-decision in Pacquiao’s favor. Marquez is also an accomplished fighter but believes that had he won either of the fights with Pacquiao that he would be the global icon.
Pacquiao is know for his speed, but Marquez’s resilience in the first two fights made for great battles. Marquez was repeatedly knocked down in the first round of the first fight and came to bring it to a draw.
Pacquiao vs. Marquez III will be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 12, 2011. A lot is riding the third installment of the trilogy. If Pacquiao wins then there is no doubt that he is the more accomplished boxer and the first two fights were decided accurately. This could also set up the fight that everybody wants to see which Pacquiao taking on undefeated Floyd Mayweather.
If Marquez wins then we are back to a draw. A win for each and a draw. Would that set up a fourth fight? If nothing else, it would set up Marquez for more of a draw in boxing and bigger paydays.
Both have their quirks while training. While Pacquiao is known to sing karaoke, practice for his post fight concert and watch movies starring himself amongst his entourage of 50, Marquez has been known to run with rocks in his pockets and drink his own urine.
Which approach will produce a win? We’ll find out November 12.Jason Black tweets live from ringside. You can follow along and comment here. Live tweets begin at 8 p.m. EST, with the main event set to start at 9 p.m. EST.
Pacquiao vs Marquez 1/3
Pacquiao vs Marquez 2/3
Live Right Now! This page will refresh every round.
Pacman - sporting an "Undisputed champion" t-shirt - says: "Clearly I won the fight."
There's quite a lot of booing.
Will he fight Marquez again? "I'm a fighter. It is my job to fight."
What do you have to say to Floyd Mayweather? "Let's get it on."
Maybe Marquez is hacked off: he appears to have left the ring before he can be interviewed. And he's pulled the plug on his way out of the room, so they can't interview Pacman either...
Marquez is now wearing a sombrero. He looks disappointed, but not angry. Philosophical but not defeated.
114-114, 115-113, 116-112
Winner, by majority and still WBO champion of the world Manny Pacquiao!!
They both think they've won. Of course they do. Marquez is walking around the ring with his arms in the air wearing a baseball cap. Pacman spends a few seconds praying in the corner and is then hoisted on shoulders to go around the ring. How will the judges call this?
This is it. Final round. Marquez's corner are telling him he's ahead. Of course they are. But Pacman is throwing more punches, even if he doesn't necessarily land more. Nobody going all out here. Too scared of giving up the big one. Both prepared to go to the judges. Some haymakers from Marquez fail to connect. Pacman's mouthguard comes out and there's a timeout in the corner. Back to the fight. Marquez throws a big right and then a combo. Marquez charges forward late on, but....Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez.
They're still trading punches, one for one. Pacman lands a big left uppercut to the body. But he can't follow it up. They land punches simultaneously consistently. When one lands a punch first, the other immediately counters. HBO's commentators are already setting this up for a too-hard-to-call score from the judges. It could go either way. it really could. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-10 Marquez.
Marquez hits Pacman hard with a combo counter. Marquez momentarily goes to one knee, but it's just a slight slip, and they keep going. Pacquiao considers claiming he's be butted. he certainly looks like he has a small cut above his right eye. But at the end of the road Pacquiao rallies. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 9-10 Marquez.
A cagey start to the round. Marquez lands a big right, but it looks like the back of Pacman's head, which the Filipino indicates to the referee. Marquez lands some more lefts and rights. Pacman makes a big right hand swing but fails to connect. Pacman finally looks to land some combos and then Marquez comes back with his own counter left-right combos. Pacquiao ends the round throwing himself forward with more combos. I was going to call that round to the Mexican until the final 10 seconds. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez.
Pacquiao bleeding inside his mouth. Marquez is deep in concentration. Pacquiao comes forward, Marquez comes back with two lefts, low to the body. A good left hand over the top from Pacman. They go back to trading punches. These two are so well matched. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 9-10 Marquez.
Round Seven:Marquez landing some good strong combinations. Pacman still dancing, but when he comes forward to try to land some big ones, Marquez steps back. Marquez lands a counterpunch that makes Pacquiao hesitate. But then a double right from Pacman drives Marquez back. Pacquiao's dancing is mostly - but not always - making it dificult for Marquez to make big hits. Another incredibly hard to call round. I'm having some sympathy for those judges. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez. Just. Again.
The first minute passes without a point scoring punch being thrown. Marquez lands several body shots that drives Pacquiao back. Pacquiao comes back and lands a left hook. Now they are starting to trade punches - when one lands a good shot, the other replies. A Pacquiao left is met by a Marquez right. Uh-oh, this one is going to be a judge's nightmare. Who was it said we may yet get Pacquiao-Marquez IV ? Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-10 Marquez.
Another cagey start. Marquez throws some big punches, but straight into Pacquiao's gloves. Pacman throws some combos, but they also fail to get beyond the defence. Pacquiao is knocked back by a strong right hand to the chin from Marquez, who is growing in confidence. Pacquiao looks too cautious. Marquez's best round and Pacman is getting a stiff talking to in his corner. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 9-10 Marquez.
Marquez still backing up. Pacquiao coming forward more now. Pacman looks faster on his feet. Lands a nice left-right combo to Marquez's head. Marquez aiming mostly at the body. Again at the end of the round they trade more punches. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez.
Still cagey. Pacman has the quicker hands, but is hanging back, trying to avoid the counterpunch. Marquez planting his feet and getting occasional body punches. The best punches land at (and almost after) the final bell. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 9-10 Marquez.
A football crowd atmosphere urging them on. Pacquiao coming forward. Marquez looking for chances to counterattack. Exchange of punches ends with Marquez landing an uppercut. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez. Only just though.
A cagier start than these two have had before. Lots of bobbing, weaving, some swings by Marquez that fail to really connect. Marquez has a mark on his nose from a Pacman jab. A late flurry of punches do no real damage. Guardian unofficial score: Pacquiao 10-9 Marquez.
Well, at least when he's finished his prayer/cry/moment of contemplation in the corner of his changing room...
to some fine old Mexican trad number...
changeme (that's not a real name) emails: "Pac will win on points but mayweather is a bridge to far"
kieran wong tweets: "@Busfield Manny to take it comfortably on points, then hopefully get to see the Mayweather showdown.come on pacman!"
Mark p tweets: "@Busfield Can't find it on any radio :-( , gonna have to rely on the refresh button lol, Manny in the 5th!"
Kento Stewart tweets: "@Busfield PacMan to end it on points or a late round TKO"
Steve Amoia tweetsa reminder: "Pacman's three career losses: Rustico Torrecampo in 1996 (KO in 3rd). Medgoen Singsurat in 1999 (KO in 3rd). Érik Morales in 2005 (Unam d.)"
Three of them.
They're taking a moment to remember Smokin' Joe: with ten tolls of the bell. It's properly moving.
Jason O'Connor tweets: "@Busfield Whats your prediction for the fight Steve?"
Phil Sawyer emails: "Come on, then, Steve. Cards on the table time. What's your prediction for the big fight? Pacman to take it on points for me."
Anyone who has seen my performances in our NFL Talkboard predictions game will know how much my assessments are worth, but here goes: Pacman. On Points.
JayGeraghty tweets: "@Busfield Calling Manny on points. Two fights away from head of state. Money Team watching"
Allen tweets: "@Busfield Born and raised in Europe. But tonight -once again- my Filipino blood awakens. #pacquiao"
Monico Perez tweets: "@busfield following your commentary all the way from Singapore! Thx for the great coverage! I like Marquez, but always cheering for Manny!"
Get off that fence, Monico
Bradley goes down twice in the eighth and his corner have finally seen enough. Bradley wins by TKO. He's talking to Manny via the camera. Fancies his chances. Pacman might throw some punches though, which would be a bit of a change from the fight we have just seen.
HBO have Bradley winning every round thus far, and Casamayor has been down twice. Seventh round. Bradley is going to win this one too...
Sepulchrave Groan tweets: "@Busfield Marquez cannot win - he's up against a superhero! Have you not seen the cinematic marvel that is Wapakman?"
