Pacquiao vs. Marquez III: 5 Things to Expect from the Fight

On November 12th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will lock horns for the third and, likely, final time. It will be a laborious, suspenseful fight for the WBO Welterweight Title.

Moreover, it will be a definitive fight of sorts, decisively crowning the best of the two.

Their rivalry has been clouded in controversy since their initial bout in 2004, which ended in a draw after going 12 rounds, and their last collision in 2008, which resulted in a split decision loss for Marquez.

Now, the rubber match and denouement to their storied trilogy will transpire very soon.

The arena should be electric, serving as a fitting ambiance for what will follow.

Let's take a look at five things to expect from Pacquiao-Marquez 3...

The Bout Will Garner a Very Strong Pay-Per-View Buy-Rate

Boxing and pay-per-view have gone hand-in-hand before wrestling and MMA ever joined the fray.

Fights are built on the strength of their publicity and to what extent they can draw certain demographics in.

The passion, the stakes and the age-old dynamic of two combatants being at odds with one another is sold to diverse segments of an audience that are drawn to seeing it play out.

Like any riveting soap opera, both boxers claim to have gotten the better of each other in their last two fights. For instance, Pacquiao underplays the close calls Marquez gave him, whereas the Mexican superstar feels he won both contests.

In a recent interview, Marquez wondered aloud why Pacquiao is mad at him. Certainly, one reason in particular is that the Filipino believes his date with destiny, Marquez, is not giving him enough credit.

All in all, the intrigue, controversy and the proclamations by both men are sure to entice many fans to purchase the fight.

Those holding their breath for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather should exhale upon realizing this is the next best thing.

The First Round Will Determine the Rest of the Fight

Marquez expects Pacquiao to lunge at him like a wild bull in the first round. The key will be how the Mexican averts and dodges the whirling dervish, establishing a methodical pace instead.

If Pacquiao gets a knockout or, in a callback to their first match, slams Marquez to the mat, it will be a very short night for the underdog.

It's incumbent upon Marquez to not play into Pacquiao's agenda, resisting the lure of trying to beat the left-armed assassin at his own game.

Being aware of the momentum, rhythm and preparing himself for the Filipino's early onslaught—and attempts to go for the first round knockout—are half of the battle for Juan Manuel.

Marquez Will Render Pacquiao's Left Hand Useless

If there is any quality that will allow Marquez to trump his popular opponent, it's his cunning and ingenious ability to match the fighter opposite him tit for tat in the technical skills department.

The Mexican is arguably one of the greatest technicians in his division, a connoisseur of form, posture, timing and strategy.

Adding to Marquez's tool box is his familiarity with Manny. He is cognizant of how to neutralize and evade the Filipino's left-armed assaults. The stratagem Juan Manuel employs is to shudder his rival's lead (right) shoulder with a jab or cross, causing him (Pacquiao) to fall off-balance.

"Pac-Man," in this case, would be lurching, trying to reestablish his equilibrium in order to rewind his left arm again, giving Marquez ample time to duck and sidestep over to his adversary's right side for a counter-punch.

The Fight Will Go All 12 Rounds

If their last two epic encounters are any indication, it would behoove one to prognosticate that their third go-around will be a similar back-and-forth and unrelenting affair between two foes, who will be fueled by their everlasting desire to overcome at the cost of each other.

Ironically, although the two have very different skill sets, they are evenly matched in that one man's strengths are another's weaknesses and vice versa.

Manny is an inherently aggressive breed of fighter whose new-found, streamlined style complements Marquez's analytical and heady approach to dissecting his opponent in the ring.

Pacquiao's greatest attribute includes combinations teeming with right hand set-ups and left-handed flurries, whereas the most effective part of Marquez's repertoire is his counter-punching finesse.

Offense vs. defense usually results in a stalemate.

Juan Manuel Marquez Will Be Victorious

After 12 rounds, the outcome will be left to the judges' scorecards, which will ultimately spell defeat for Pacquiao and victory for Marquez—the new WBO Welterweight Champion.

The stubborn underdog's counter-punching technique, refined style and heavier frame will prove to be too tough for the Filipino, who will be compromised.

The most important X-factor, which will ultimately fall in the Mexican's favor, is the 14-pound weight difference from the last time Marquez battled Pacquiao in 2008.

A more fortified base will surprise Manny, who was used to dealing with the lightweight version of Marquez, not the welterweight one.

Juan Manuel's bulkier physique—in conjunction with his in-ring style—is something "Pac-Man" cannot prepare for.

He can only make an educated guess.