Manny Pacquiao Needs to Treat Juan Manuel Marquez Fight as Last Great Challenge

There's been a lot of talk about Manny Pacquiao potentially fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The only problem is, that fight isn't guaranteed to happen. That's why any talk of Pacquiao looking past rival Juan Manuel Marquez before their fight on Nov. 12 is ludicrous.

While Mayweather may be Pacquiao's greatest opponent of his career one day, Marquez has already proven to be one of Pacquiao's greatest.

In their first two fights, Marquez battled Pacquiao to a draw and a split-decision. He's earned the right to be called one of Pacquiao's most honorable opponents, and he's certainly going to bring it in Las Vegas.

In case you haven't been keeping up with what's been going down before the rivals' third fight, there has been a wealth of intrigue. At one point, Marquez flew to the Philippines wearing a T-shirt reading "I beat Pacquiao twice," basically insinuating that the judges got it wrong both times.

Pacquiao has said he wants this to be his most explosive victory (via East Side Boxing),  and trainer Freddie Roach has him hitting mitts adorned with a photo of Marquez. Pacquiao doesn't usually get too riled up before a fight, but Roach may actually have to hold him back from being too aggressive against Marquez in the ring.

On top of this, Marquez has beefed up, according to PhilStar.com, looking more like a bodybuilder than a boxer. Marquez is making it a point that this fight will ultimately define his level of greatness.

If you add in the fact that Marquez's exceptional counter-punching has always matched him up well against Pacquiao, you have the makings of a great fight. Marquez may be 38 years old, but even Pacquiao knows that means nothing when fighting his bitter rival.

Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum has already said he doesn't think there will ever be a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. Great fights have become few and far between these days for Pacquiao.

In the end, he needs to understand this very well could be the final great challenge of his career.