Manny Pacquiao: Why Marquez Fight Is a Lose-Lose Situation for Pacquiao

Nothing is worse than entering a fight where everybody believes you are going to win.

Manny Pacquiao is the 8-to-1 favorites to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez in their November 12 bout, and all of the money is coming in on Manny.

At the age of 38, Marquez is six years older, a much slower puncher and not nearly the fighter he was during the first two bouts. The pair fought to a draw back in 2004 (a highly controversial decision) and Pac-man won in a split decision in 2008.

Since then Pacquiao has only gotten stronger and wiser in the ring. On paper this should be an easy victory.

If he goes on to win, then nothing more than “Pacquiao needs to fight Floyd Mayweather” stories will be written. Marquez will be shoved to the side as the old man that wasn’t a worthy opponent. Criticisms of who Pacquiao fights will continue to be brought up.

If he loses, then his reputation will be absolutely shattered. The draw and split decision suddenly don’t look like a fluke and maybe Manny isn’t the incredible fighter we all thought he was. It would do irreparable damage to his lasting legacy.

At that point the only way he could turn things around would be to beat Mayweather in a knockout. Considering that the odds of those two stepping into the ring are getting slimmer by the day—that’s a long shot.

Sure Pacquiao is going to make a ton of money off the fight. Anytime you can make over $20M in a night…it’s a no-brainer. Yet he has no chance of making any sort of positive impact on his boxing legacy.

Beating a 38-year-old that’s six years older than Pacquiao is not going to make him the best fighter of this generation. Losing will make everyone re-think just how great of a boxer Pacquiao really is.