Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Pacquiao's Rival Made Right Move Bulking Up for Fight

There are some who believe that Juan Manuel Marquez made the wrong move bulking up for his third and final fight with Manny Pacquiao.

The concern is that Marquez won't be as quick with the added muscle, which would only assist the lightning-fast Pacquiao even more.

I don't doubt that the added muscle will make Marquez slower, but I do believe he made the right move in bulking up before the fight.

Marquez is older now. By default, he's slower than when he fought Pacquiao in 2004 and 2008. And he knows this.

By adding muscle before the fight, Marquez is trying to gain an advantage in at least one area, and that's why it's a great strategy.

Let's be clear, Marquez isn't going to go into this fight swinging for the knockout. He's a counter-puncher by nature, and one of the best in boxing. But by bulking up, Marquez has a chance of landing a more vicious counter-punch. If Pacquiao gets too aggressive and opens himself up, Marquez has a prime opportunity to do some damage.

I've said all along Pacquiao needs to be careful on the attack. He's repeatedly reminded us how much he wants to end this trilogy in dramatic fashion.

If he's not careful, Pacquiao will end this fight in dramatic fashion, but not in the way he intended.

Pacquiao's a very smart fighter. I don't expect him to all of a sudden forget about defense. But with Marquez's added muscle, the punches that land are going to hurt more and they may even surprise the legendary Filipino.

A surprise is the last thing Pacquiao needs against Marquez.