Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Third Bout Will Define Both Boxer's Careers

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez battle for the third time in their illustrious careers. The third time will be more than a charm as both boxers' legacies will hinge on the outcome. 

This may be a far cry from the boxing match that every fan in the world really wants. Floyd Mayweather hangs in the distance as a vision of what could be. 

In a perfect world, we would be guaranteed to see what many agree is the boxing match of the century. If Pacquiao did indeed box Mayweather, it would answer just one question we have on his career. 

The other pressing question has to be the blemish left in the first two bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez. A boxer that has no equal in Pacquiao has a candidate in Marquez. 

The third part of this trilogy will answer once and for all whether Marquez is merely a vigilant puncher that is never quite down for the count, or if he is so much more. 

The two have met for two razor-thin decisions that left questions on who was the superior fighter. Pacquiao has since gone onto amaze us with speed and cunning in every fight since. 

Marquez has been just as stout, only falling short to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Yet, there is little fanfare for the man who has taken Pacquiao to the distance. 

A loss for Marquez would shape his legacy as an illustrious career that was a shade short of being legendary. 

For Pacquiao, there is far more to lose and just as much to gain in the ring November 12. A loss would derail a fairy tale ending. 

Pacquiao may be a few fights short of retirement. The story has already been written in a stirring possible bout with Money May. In order for that fight and his career to have the same gravitas, he needs to get over on a man that has proved problematic for him in the past. 

Marquez has taken the best from Pac-Man, and still came back fighting. Marquez is a worthy warrior that will prove define the twilight years of Pacquiao. 

With an unquestioned victory, Pacquiao will have answered every single question except one. The only thing left for him is to defeat Floyd Mayweather. Doing both would leave Pacquiao's legacy as pristine as any legend before him. 

This may not be the ultimate fight we all crave, but there is certainly a great deal at stake for both stars. November 12 will decide just how we see these fighters decades from now. That is certainly enough to make it a must-see event.