Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Will Step Up in Weight Doom Marquez?

The first thing I watch for when a fighter is moving up in weight is timing. When it appears a fighter is having a problem getting off, that tells me they are not handling the weight well. 

That is exactly what I saw when Juan Manuel Marquez took on Floyd Mayweather at 147 pounds. This was partially due to the fact that Floyd was just naturally faster, but the additional weight was a factor as well.

Marquez is facing a similar situation as he prepares to take on Manny Pacquiao at a 144-pound catchweight. This time, struggling to get off will cost him more than being severely out-pointed, Pac-Man is going to put a hurting on him.

Manny has never really solved Marquez. Both of their previous bouts were controversial, and some would say Manny has been outboxed when you put all of the rounds together.

This is different, it has been more than three years since their last bout. Manny is bigger, stronger and more settled at 147 pounds or any freaky catchweight in the vicinity.

Marquez, on the other hand, has only fought one time over 140 pounds, and that was against Mayweather. Also, Marquez is 38 years old, he is taking a major risk adding that much weight at this stage in his career.

It appears he is taking the approach of trying to bulk up to slug with Manny. That will prove a mistake, he has proved he could take Pacquiao's punches in the past, but that was just that, the past.

Pacquiao will score the only decisive victory of this trilogy with a eighth-round TKO.