Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Why Marquez Has a Puncher's Chance vs. Distracted Pac-Man

Generally, when an opponent is matched up with Manny Pacquiao he is considered destined to fail.

Throughout the years, Pacquiao has proven he's not only one of the greats of this generation, but one of the greats of all-time.

But despite Pacquiao being heavily favored on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, rival Juan Manuel Marquez has a puncher's chance.

Or, to be more specific, a counter-puncher's chance.

One of the biggest fears in Pacquiao's camp is that he will come out too aggressive against the man who has been one of his toughest opponents throughout the years.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has also proven to be one of the best in boxing throughout the years. And he hits the nail on the head when describing Pacquiao's last two fights against Marquez.

Said Roach, via The Telegraph:

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"Instead of fighting his own fight, he followed Marquez and began fighting his fight—big mistake. I think Manny won both fights though Manny made them closer than they should have been. I'm worried that Marquez could have Manny's number. He is the only fighter who seems to have figured out Manny's style. That is why I am training Manny for the knockout—to clear the air on who is better. Manny is going to shut up Marquez once and for all—I'm sick of his whining."

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Tweeted Sky Sports:

And that is exactly the problem. Pacquiao should be looking to win the fight, not dominate. You expose yourself too much, and Marquez has proven he can make you pay.

While Marquez's T-shirt labeled "I beat Pacquiao twice" may be misleading, he did fight the boxing great to a draw and a split-decision.

Stylistically, Marquez poses problems for Pacquiao. By design, he's a counter-puncher, and one of the best, at that. Besides facing a superior fighter against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marquez also struggled because Mayweather was a better version stylistically than himself.

Mayweather, one of the great counter-punchers in the sport today, forced Marquez out of his comfort zone, beckoning Marquez to push the fight at times.

But against Pacquiao, one of the most dominant offensive forces boxing has ever known, Marquez has a chance of landing a few knee-buckling counter-punches while Pacquiao goes in for the kill.

Tweeted Sun Star Publishing:

That's why I'm expecting this to be Fight of the Year.

Tweeted one fan:

Despite Marquez being 38 years old, this is far from an easy fight for Pacquiao.

He better fight smart, or he could find himself on the wrong end of a ferocious Marquez counter-punch.