Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez: 10 Reasons Marquez Is a Threat

Manny Pacquiao will fight Juan Manuel Marquez next Saturday. The soon-to-be legend, also called Pac-Man, is a heavy favourite in this fight. Most Las Vegas casinos have set him as a 10-to-1 favourite.

In revenge, anyone betting on Juan Manuel Marquez could get up to seven times his initial risked amount. How come most casinos have set the line that high?

Juan Manuel Marquez has been wearing a shirt stating that he won the past two fights between them. Did he win them? This is another debate. However, there is one sure thing. Manny Pacquiao had two of his toughest career fights vs. the Mexican boxer often referred to as Dinamita.

Actually, one could argue that Marquez won more rounds than Manny Pacquiao in the first two fights. He would be right. Again, all the experts predict an easy win for Pac-Man. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, even goes as far as saying that the fight won’t go past six rounds.

Not so fast, boxing fans! Juan Manuel Marquez has been a threat to Manny Pacquiao in their past fights, and he is still going to be on Saturday, November 12.

Here are 10 reasons why Dinamita is a threat to Pac-Man.

Juan Manuel Marquez Knows How to Escape a Pacquiao Storm

Manny Pacquiao can be as explosive as any boxer in the world. When a Pacquiao storm is coming, many fighters don’t know how to react. Actually, most of them aren’t able to ever recover from it.

If anyone knows how to handle a knockdown situation vs. Pac-Man, it is Marquez. In 2004, the Mexican fighter recovered from three knockdowns in the first round. In 2008, he once again recovered from an early knockdown.

He was able to end both fights and even dominate the rest of the fight. Even if Pacquiao sends him down, Marquez isn’t down until the last bell. A knockdown will not affect Marquez as much as other boxers.

Do you remember some Rocky fights? The opponents were knocking down Balboa, while Apollo Creed and the Russian boxer kept shaking their heads each time Rocky got back on his feet. Everyone was amazed and discouraged to see him staying alive. It might be a movie, but this is what Marquez does in real life.

It’s hard on a boxer to see your opponent constantly resurrecting. Pacquiao knows it. He will feel it again on Saturday.

Juan Manuel Marquez Knows How to Fight Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao might be the best pound-for-pound boxer, but even the bests have their black beasts.

Angelo Dundee, former boxing corner of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, actually believes that Marquez will win. As he states, Marquez will always be a threat for Pacquiao, since he KNOWS how to fight him.

Do you want a good example? In 2002, superstar Shane Mosley lost twice to Vernon Forrest. On the other hand, in 2003, Forrest lost twice to Ricardo Mayorga. Guess what? Mosley was able to easily defeat Mayorga.

In boxing, styles make fights. The style of Marquez is difficult for Pacquiao and even with all the adjustments, it will always be.

Juan Manuel Marquez Isn’t Afraid of Manny Pacquiao

Juan Manuel Marquez is ready for this fight. Some boxers don’t know what to expect from the legend Pacquiao has become. They heard about his hard shots. They heard about his quickness. Actually, they keep acknowledging his greatness.

All these boxers are already lost when they get in the ring with this state of mind. It was the case with Clottey and Margarito.

However, Marquez isn’t afraid of Pacquiao. He already went down four times against him. He made 24 great rounds against Pac-Man. Do you think that he is impressed at all?

For once, Manny Pacquiao will face an opponent who is not scared of what will happen on the ring.

Juan Manuel Marquez Might Retire

Juan Manuel Marquez could retire after this fight. Nothing is sure about it, but at his age, this is an option. Truth is that Dinamita turned 38 in August. He accomplished 59 fights and isn’t getting any younger. If he doesn’t drink the Bernard Hopkins’ potion soon, he might need to call it a career.

Why could that make Marquez a threat? Definitely, it is additional motivation for him. Every boxer wants to retire as a champion or on a great win. How better could he do it than by beating the best fighter in the world?

Marquez must definitely think about it. If he beats Pacquiao, he could retire as the man who defeated the legend. It would concretize his legacy. Marquez won’t have another shot after this fight. It is now or never to make a final impressive stand.

Once the fight gets intense, Marquez will have this second-level energy coming in to help him threaten Pacquiao’s reign.

Juan Manuel Marquez Has Power

Juan Manuel Marquez can throw hard power shots. I am aware that he is going up in weight class, but still, Marquez can land solid shots to keep his opponent away.

Actually, if you don’t believe me, look at their record. Marquez has one more career knockout than Pacquiao.

While he might not be able to knock down the Filipino boxer, Marquez is able to get respect out of his power shots in the ring. Have you seen Pacquiao’s face after the first fight?

Too many people forget the power of Marquez and keep talking about Pac-Man’s. Actually, no one ever mentioned the number of knockouts by Dinamita.

Again, Marquez will not win by knockout, but can get some well-deserved respect for his shots.

Manny Pacquiao Could Be Too Confident

Manny Pacquiao is sure to win. Actually, he is already planning his next fight in Hawaii. His trip is already scheduled to visit the location.

Pac-Man believes that he is stronger and quicker than he was four years ago. Actually, he is right. He also believes that Marquez isn’t as strong because of his age. He also believes in his weight edge.

Actually, if it wasn’t about the hype produced for the media, Pacquiao would be confident enough to say that Marquez isn’t a threat. The Filipino champion is wrong on that one. He might not say it, but Pacquiao believes this inside of him. It’s a mistake and could be an advantage for Marquez on fight night.

Juan Manuel Marquez Already Fought Him Twice

Freddie Roach, Pac-Man’s coach, keeps saying that they have an edge. Indeed, they fought Marquez twice in the past, so they will have a better fight plan and will adjust. He is right.

However, don’t you think that this argument applies to Marquez as well? Yes, it does. Marquez had 24 rounds with Pacquiao and will use this experience to give him all the trouble in the world.

Juan Manuel Marquez Has the Right Staff to Threaten Pacquiao

Who is Manny Pacquiao’s trainer? Most people can answer by saying Freddie Roach. However, when we ask the same question for Marquez, who can answer?

I will answer it for you. His name is Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain. Again, most people will wonder who this guy is. Another bunch of people will laugh because of the “Nacho” mention. A small percentage of boxing fanatics will know him.

Beristain is a Hall of Fame trainer. He has trained some of the best Mexican fighters in the world. If I had to pick one man to draw a strategy for Pacquiao, Beristain would be in my top picks.

Juan Manuel Marquez Believes in His Chances to Win

Juan Manuel Marquez believes in his chances, and he should. Why would he lose?

In the first fight of May 2004, Marquez received a winning scorecard of 115-110 from Canadian judge Guy Jutras. Judge Burt A. Clements awarded a draw. However, Pacquiao sent down Marquez three times in this fight.

What does it tell us? Marquez won many more rounds than Pacquiao. Other than one strong round by Pacquiao (with three knockdowns), this fight was almost one-sided. Even CompuBox numbers agree.

In seven rounds, Marquez landed more total punches. In eight rounds, Marquez landed more power punches.

In 2008, history repeated itself. The CompuBox was clear again. Dinamita had landed more total punches and was a winner regarding power punches landed. In some rounds, Marquez was four times more active than the Filipino legend.

Again, one judge decided to give the win to Marquez.

Basically, out of six scorecards, Marquez won 33 percent of them, while Pacquiao won half of them. Marquez keeps wearing a shirt saying that he won the two previous fights.

Heck, Marquez has all the reasons in the world to believe in his chances.

Manny Pacquiao Aims for a Win by Knockout

Manny Pacquiao won’t be satisfied with a simple win. He doesn’t want to go to the judges’ scorecards. He wants a knockout win. It is a well-known statement. It could be a big mistake.

Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the only boxers able to counter-punch Pac-Man efficiently. If Pacquiao only focuses on the knockout win, his Mexican opponent will find more counter-punching opportunities.

I hope that Freddie Roach isn’t only targeting a knockout win. It would be the dream of team Marquez. If Pacquiao goes for the knockout win, which I assume, Marquez will be able to apply his fight strategy perfectly.

The Las Vegas odds might favor Manny Pacquiao, but don't count Marquez out that fast.

Note: I will describe the fight live on Saturday night on Twitter @TakeoSports