Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez: 10 Reasons This Fight Will Be Close

Manny Pacquiao takes on his greatest rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, this Saturday November 12 at the MGM Grand. Many are discounting Marquez's chances because of his age and size disadvantage.

If people only knew the intense inside knowledge these warriors have of one another, they may have to change their views on this fight.

Though Pacquiao may be the favorite to win, thanks to his history-making run of recent bouts, Marquez is the only man to bring him close to defeat twice, and he's hoping three times's a charm.

10. Marquez Has a Better Conditioning Coach Than Before

Marquez's new conditioning coach, Angel Hernandez, was wrapped up in steroid controversy years ago.

Now, according to Ring Magazine, Hernandez says, "I've never been banned from coaching. I have the curriculum. I have the science degrees. What we're doing is strictly science."

Whether his methods are legal or not, Marquez has the muscular structure he didn't have the first time he moved to welterweight. This may mean Marquez will be able to hang with Pacquiao much easier.

9. Fighters with a History Don't Fall to Each Other Quickly

Throughout boxing history, great trilogies have shown to be a product of two fighters who just so happened to know each other's abilities so much that they can help but push the other.

In 1959 when Ingemar Johansson dropped Floyd Patterson in Round 3, Patterson came back and knocked Johansson out in Rounds 5 and 6 of their two later battles in the early 1960s.

The 1970s trilogy between Muhammad Ali and the late great Joe Frazier didn't cool down with time. It got even more intense in its third entry.

8. Pacquiao and Marquez Both Have Legendary Trainers

Both fighters have great, world-class trainers that have been praised heavily for their work.

Nacho Beristain has trained Marquez and his brother Rafael Marquez since they were kids. Freddie Roach has trained Pacquiao for the better part of a decade now.

Both fighters and their trainers will engage in a chess war that will likely not allow the other to become the victor so easily without a vicious fight.

7. Pacquiao Eats Right Hands for Breakfast and Marquez Loves Feeding Them

Pacquiao may have become a better two-handed fighter over the years, but a decent right hand can and still catches him often in the heat of combat.

Marquez has one of the sneakiest right hands in boxing and he has often caught Pacquiao with it during their first two encounters.

Pacquiao will likely be cautious of Marquez's right hand this time and won't be so quick to jump in, but Pacquiao's speed will be harder to time at welterweight than it was at super featherweight.

That makes for an interesting battle of timing between the two warriors which should make this final chapter an even one.

6. Marquez's Chin and Lack of Knockout Losses

Marquez is a little smaller and a little older, but his chin is still as durable as it has been his whole career.

A lot of noise is made of how Pacquiao took some bigger man's shot and survived Cotto or Margarito, but Marquez has built a career out of  getting knocked down or hit hard only to come back in dominating fashion.

Both chins will not give in to each other, leading to a wild shootout that won't end by an early knockout. That much is clear.

5. Marquez's Mexican Heart and Pacquiao's Filipino Warrior Spirit

Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round of their first fight, yet still fought on to give Pacquiao the most trouble in his whole career.

Marquez and Pacquiao delivered an amazing second fight punctuated by the fact that Pacquiao would not relent and Marquez would not give up.

When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, great things happen. That is precisely what is happening here.

4. Pacquiao's Camp Secretly Underestimating Marquez

Ever since the beginning of the promotional trailer for this fight, Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have said they are dedicated to this fight completely, yet they make early knockout predictions.

Now that may not seem contradictory to some, but these eyes see that as completely backwards.

Pacquiao is supposed to train as if this fight will be as hard and tough as before and most likely will go the distance.

To say he will  train to knock Marquez out is a game plan that could get him in trouble.

3. Both Fighters Vow a KO Victory to Settle the Score

Marquez wants to knock Pacquiao out and not rely on the judges' scorecards this time.

With both fighters wanting to knock each other out, both will train for an intense match of explosive exchanges that could go either way.

Marquez is an expert of close-quarters exchanges while Pacquiao is an expert at making powerful exchanges. Who wins the most exchanges is not an easy question to answer until it is actually seen live.

2. Pacquiao Hasn't Fought a Very Competitive Fight in a While

Pacquiao's been cruising through his latest stream of competition since he left Marquez in the super featherweight division three years ago.

Pacquiao creamed Hatton, Cotto, Margarito, Mosley, just to name a few. But not to discredit Pacquiao, these men were not at their very best.

Many were either coming off major losses, still trying to find their way after losing a big fight or too old to pose the type of threat Pacquiao needs to have a competitive fight.

Marquez has set a blazing trail since losing to Pacquiao by split decision. He's knocked out Joel Casamayor, Michael Katsidis and Juan Diaz.

They may not be Pacquiao, but Diaz and Katsidis were both younger hungry opposition. Casamayor is a legend in his own right.

Pacquiao returning to Marquez is a type of fierce competition he hasn't faced in years. He'll need possibly  a few rounds to adjust to the closeness in speed and reflexes.

Then Pacquiao can heat things up to start taking rounds. In the meantime, Marquez will likely take an early lead. November 12 will reveal how long he can keep it. 

1. Both Men Have a Country on Their Backs

Marquez proudly represents Mexico every time he steps into the ring.

Pacquiao proudly represents the Philippines every time he enters the ring.

Each is the best fighter from their respective countries fighting today.

Each is an elite warrior wearing a country's pride in the blood running warm in their veins.

Each will not want to disappoint that country that they revere so strongly.

Their absolute competitive best is something they MUST give.

If not for themselves, then at least for their countries that look toward them as heroes.