Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Their Most Significant Boxing Defeats

Before and during their rise to fame, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Márquez have both suffered career defining defeats.

Those defeats could have easily signaled a downward spiral in their respective careers.

The losses, however, could be the sole defining reason for Pacquiao and Márquez’s present standing in the boxing community.

In several days time, in what is the most anticipated boxing clash of 2011, Pacquiao (53-3-2) will throw leather with Márquez (53-5-1) for a third time.

One of the aforementioned legendary pugilists will more than likely stare defeat in the face, and not for the first time either.

Let’s take a look at that their most significant defeats.

Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Freddie Norwood

Sep. 11, 1999

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

In his first professional fight, Juan Manuel Márquez took on Javier Duran and lost via disqualification in round one.

That defeat did nothing to dissuade the young Mexican from continuing his path to boxing glory—Márquez went on an incredible 29-fight win streak, 22 via stoppages, and captured the WBO NABO featherweight title as well.

The fight itself was an ugly affair, and referee Joe Cortez didn’t help matters either—giving Freddie Norwood ample time to recover from one of two knockdowns suffered at the hands of Márquez.

If Cortez’ incompetency was enough, the judges' decisions were worse—Norwood was declared the winner via unanimous decision.

Márquez not only lost his title, but his win streak as well.

Result: Norwood via Unanimous Decision

Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Chris John

Mar. 4, 2006

Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia

After his controversial loss to Freddie Norwood, Márquez went undefeated in his next 16 fights, 11 via stoppage.

He regained his WBO NABO featherweight title and captured the IBF and WBA featherweight titles as well.

Nevertheless, before his fight with Chris John, Márquez was stripped off his IBF title due to promotional differences.

The fight turned out to be quite scrappy; Márquez was deducted two points for low blows.

Those points cost Márquez the fight and his WBA title.

The least Márquez could have hoped for was a draw, but those deducted points scuppered any chance of that happening.

Result: John via Unanimous Decision

Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao 2

Mar. 15, 2008

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

Four fights removed from his loss to Chris John, Márquez threw leather for the second time with Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao.

Their first encounter ended in a somewhat controversial draw.

Though, this time around, both fighters wanted to set the record straight.

On the line was Márquez’s WBC super featherweight title, which he’d won via unanimous decision against Marco Antonio Barrera.

If there were any questions about who won their first fight, this was the fight that would answer those questions.

In a scintillating rematch, either fighter could have gone home the winner, but as the judge’s decision is final, it was Pacquiao who narrowly edged it to capture Márquez’s title.

Result: Pacquiao via Split Decision

Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr

Sep. 19, 2009

MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

This fight was Floyd Mayweather’s return to the boxing fold after a 21-month hiatus.

It more or less had Marquez defeat written all over it—Marquez was outweighed, out-muscled and outfought by Money May.

Mayweather knocked down Marquez in the second round and proceeded to put on a jabbing clinic.

That night, Marquez was truly outclassed and loss the bout via unanimous decision.

Result: Mayweather via Unanimous Decision

Manny Pacquiao vs. Rustico Torrecampo

Feb. 9, 1996

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

The 17-year-old Manny Pacquiao was riding an 11-fight win streak coming into his fight with Rustico Torrecampo.

Pacquiao had failed to make weight and the punishment was a pair of eight-ounce gloves in contrast to Torrecampo’s six-ouncers.

Torrecampo controlled the first two rounds, but in the third he stepped things up a notch or two, landing a hellacious left hook to Pac-Man’s body or head (no one is quite sure).

Either way it was academic; Pac-Man went down hard and was counted out.

That was Pac-Man’s first taste of defeat.

He would, however, go on to compile a 15-fight win streak with 13 via stoppage.

Result: Torrecampo via KO in the 3rd

Manny Pacquiao vs. Medgoen Singsurat

Sep. 17, 1999

Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Pac-Man was only 19-years-old when he faced off with undefeated Medgoen Singsurat.

Pac-Man was also on cloud nine.  Since his first loss to Rustico Torrecampo, not only was he riding a 15-fight win streak, he had also won the Lineal and WBC flyweight titles.

Be that as it may, Pac-Man failed to make weight again and was stripped off his WBC title.

Pac-Man put in a lacklustre performance against Singsurat, and by the second round Singsurat began schooling his younger opponent.

In the third round, Singsurat threw his money punch, a ripping body shot.  Pac-Man crumbled to the floor and was counted out.

After his second loss at flyweight, he vacated the division.

Result: Singsurat via KO in the 3rd round

Manny Pacquiao vs. Érik Morales

Mar. 19, 2005

MGM, Las Vegas, Nevada

Pac-Man overcame his loss to Medgoen Singsurat and went undefeated in 15 fights with 13 coming by way of TKO or KO.

Along the way he captured the WBC and IBF Bantamweight titles.

He also won The Ring world featherweight title when he destroyed the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera via TKO in round 11.

Also, two fights removed from his clash with Érik Morales, Pac-Man had fought to a draw with his bogeyman, Juan Manuel Márquez.

In the Morales fight, Pacquiao was making his debut at super featherweight.

Morales came into the match well prepared for Pacquiao, and was adamant that he wouldn’t be a Barrera-esque type victim.

Morales took the fight to Pacquiao, and in the see-saw affair that saw both fighters gain the upper hand in various rounds, Morales prevailed to hand Pacquiao his third loss in 44 fights.

Result: Morales via Unanimous Decision