Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez: Who the Experts Pick to Win

The attention of the boxing world will focus on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this weekend, when Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez complete the third leg of their epic trilogy.

There is plenty to talk about, because the outcomes of the first two fights have left enough room for debate as to who was the better man.

In the first fight, Marquez hit the canvas three times but got up to win the later rounds in a fight that was ultimately ruled as a draw.

The second fight did produce a winner on the scorecards, but went little further towards settling the debate about who is the better fighter.  Pacquiao scored a disputed split-decision victory in a fight where Marquez landed more power punches according to Compubox statistics.

To stoke up feelings ahead of the fight, the Mexican fighter wore a t-shirt bearing the moniker, “MARQUEZ BEAT PACQUIAO TWICE!!”

The taunt has struck a chord with Pac Man, and a picture of Marquez wearing it is displayed prominently by the speed bag in the Filipino’s gym.

Both men have vowed to settle the debate once and for all this weekend, but what do the experts think?

Freddie Roach (Pacquiao's Trainer)

Future Hall of Fame trainer Roach has stated that Marquez is mistaken to pack on muscle ahead of this fight, and he believes his man could register a quick victory.

“Don’t be surprised if this fight goes one round, I know that’s a bold statement,” Roach told the GMA News official website.  “I think he will try to exchange with Manny… There’s only one reason why they put on those muscles in so short a time.  And I think it’s a mistake and I love it for my guy.”

Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain (Marquez's Trainer)

Veteran trainer Beristain believes that his man Marquez has the edge when the fight turns into a toe-to-toe war, and he believes the Mexican’s best chances are to take the fight to the later rounds.

"If Juan Manuel dominates that combat zone, he will take Pacquiao to round 12 again,” Beristain told The Philippine Star official website.  “If Juan Manuel gets careless in technique, Pacquiao can knock him out because of his punching power which is superior.  But if we manage to make Juan Manuel understand that if he dominates that little space, he will beat him then he’ll beat him again.”

Oscar De La Hoya (Six-time world champion and founder of Golden Boy Promotions)

Future Hall of Famer De La Hoya defeated 17 world champions throughout his career, but suffered a stoppage loss to Pacquiao in his last fight.

De La Hoya believes Pacquiao has been competing and winning on a higher level than Marquez, and will simply be too good for the Mexican.

“It’s a whole different level because Manny’s been beating guys who are maybe superstars.  Guys like (Miguel) Cotto, guys like myself, guys like (Shane) Mosley,” De La Hoya told the ABS-CBN News website.  “Marquez has been beating guys that are just ordinary.”

Emanuel "Manny" Steward (Hall of Fame Trainer and HBO Analyst)

Steward knows a thing or too about big-time title fights, having trained over 25 world champions during his Hall of Fame career.  Steward believes the size and strength of Pacquiao will be the defining factor in an entertaining fight.

“I have to go with Manny Pacquiao though because he has the bigger more physical strength.  He is about nine or ten pounds larger naturally than Marquez, I know for a fact that Marquez’s real weight is still not much more than 130-132,” Steward told the Boxing Scene website.

“Marquez has good basic fundamentals and his balance is always good.  Every time Manny makes mistakes, which he often does, sometimes he runs in getting too overly aggressive and Marquez (will be) there to take advantage of it.  So Marquez will always be a problem for him.  To me it’s a compelling fight.”

Doug Fischer (Analyst for The Ring Magazine)

The Ring has Manny Pacquiao tabbed as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and Fischer expects no surprises on Saturday.

“Pacquiao will allow Marquez to take the initiative in the early rounds until he catches—and hurts—the master counter puncher with a counter punch,” Fischer said in The Ring’s official prediction of the fight. 

“The two rivals will battle toe to toe with Marquez getting the worst of it.  Marquez’s warrior’s heart will keep him in the fight but the referee or his corner will stop the bout by the late rounds to spare him undue punishment.”

Virgil Hunter (Trainer of super-middleweight world champion Andre Ward)

Hunter is one of the few people inside the sport of boxing who believe Manny Pacquiao will be beaten this weekend.  Hunter believes the familiarity between the fighters will work in favor of Marquez, and the Mexican warrior will pull off a split-decision upset win.

“To me, it’s a very difficult pick.  Logic says Manny Pacquiao because of the weight difference and things of that nature.  But I just can’t count out Marquez because he knows so much about Pacquiao,” Hunter told The Ring.

“I think that the competition and the different styles that Marquez has fought since their last fight has maybe given Marquez a better perspective to be in this fight.  So, I think that if the fight goes the distance, Marquez wins a split decision… If you want me to give my final verdict, then I will go by split decision.”

It is certain that for the rest of this week, many more experts and pundits will give their views on the fight, and the world will wait for these two men to settle the debate in the ring this Saturday.