Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Why Neither Fighter Has a Big Advantage over the Other

This Saturday marks a great day for boxing, as Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez go at it for a third time, and neither one is more of a favorite than the other. 

The first time these two fought was in 2004, and it ended in a draw after 12 great rounds. The second time these two fought was in 2008, and that ended in a split decision in favor of Pacquiao. 

The third fight between Pacquiao and Marquez will once again be a great battle, but nobody has an enormous advantage. 

Marquez's age has been plagued as an issues, as well as his size. People praise Pacquiao's speed and power, but Marquez can take a hit and keep on going. 

Those who doubt Pacquiao point out that he has so much going on with endorsements and politics that he will be distracted for this fight, which will help Marquez.

That is unlikely because Pacquiao has been fighting forever, and he knows the proper ways to prepare for a fight. He won't approach Saturday any different this time around just because he's a busier man. 

Marquez has had the opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. and some believe that is a huge plus for him. Who better to hear it from than Marquez himself. 

He told Kieran Mulvaney of ESPN that he isn't fazed by Pacquiao and his past helps him. 

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"The biggest difference, obviously, is that Mayweather doesn't come to fight. He's a defensive fighter, he's not going to give you anything." By contrast, "Pacquiao is a great fighter, a spectacular fighter who's coming for you. We're going to be ready for him, and if he makes a mistake, we're going to make him pay for it. The other guy wouldn't make a mistake. He wouldn't fight."

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The 38-year-old isn't thinking clearly here because Pacquiao rarely makes mistakes. Marquez will, of course, be ready for it like any boxer would be, but the likelihood of that happening is very slim. 

Both have their reasons for this fight, and Marquez might be a little more motivated since he hasn't beaten Pacquiao. 

One would think that would give him a great advantage here, but it's not like Pacquiao isn't determined to beat Marquez for a second time. 

In fact, there were scoring issues in the first fight, and Pacquiao believes he should have won. 

Nevertheless, the past is the past, and now it's time to focus on Saturday's fight. 

It will be a great fight, that will likely last all 12 rounds unless one fighter comes out really hot. Neither fighter has a big advantage over the other because both are extremely talented boxers that will be ready for a long night.