Juan Manuel Marquez: Is Pacquiao-Marquez 3 His Redemption?

When Juan Manuel Marquez stepped into the ring to throw leather with Manny Pacquiao in their trilogy battle, he wanted to make right the wrongs he felt fate had dealt him—he wanted redemption. However, the boxing gods conspired against him for a third time, and his much sought-after atonement dissipated right before his unbelieving eyes.

In 2004, “Dinamita’s” first encounter with the Filipino congressman ended in a controversial draw, with some ringside observers just about giving Marquez the win in their featherweight title clash. That was no consolation to the Mexican native; however, he dusted himself down and soldiered on.

Prior to his second clash with the “Pac-Man” in 2008, Marquez had defended and lost his WBA featherweight crown, but had also captured the WBC super featherweight title along the way—an unanimous decision win against the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera.

Yet the title that he’d won almost a year to the date of his second bout with Pacquiao was cruelly ripped from his grasp by way of a split decision.

Once again, Marquez was victim to another contentious verdict. He licked his wounds and continued to the next phase of his career.

By the time they met in the third and final meeting in 2011, Dinamita was already a three-division world champion.

The stage was now set for what should’ve have been a case of third-time lucky. On the line was Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight crown, and the rest is history.

Three fights, and each time Marquez was shorn of glory. However, to be the man, you have to beat the man.

Leaving his fate in the judge’s hands was never a good idea and he’s only himself to blame.

Marquez vs. Pacquiao III was not his redemption, but a monumental failure on his part.

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