Pacquiao vs. Marquez: How Was Marquez Able to Earn a Draw Against Pac-Man?

Manny Pacquiao sent Juan Manuel Marquez down three times in the first round of their first fight. Usually, when you hear this statement about that fight, you make the assumption that it was a clear and easy win for one boxer.

However, when you look at the judges’ final scorecard of this fight, the story is different. Actually, on May 2004, Canadian judge Guy Jutras gave a 115-110 win to Marquez while another one had a draw.

The Filipino boxer is a living legend and probably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. How was the Mexican native boxer able to earn a draw decision against Pac-Man? Even more, how could he overcome three early knockdowns to escape with a draw?

The Real Controversy

Juan Manuel Marquez keeps mentioning that he has been robbed twice, once in 2004 and the other time in 2008. Many people agree with his statement. It could be debatable.  

However, few people talk about an irrefutable mistake committed by a judge. This one is written black on white and can’t be denied. In the first round of the 2004 fight, Marquez went down three times. Pacquiao clearly won that round.

Judges Guy Jutras and John Stewart scored it as a 10-6 round for Pacquiao. However, judge Burt Clements’ scorecard had a 10-7 round for Pacquiao. Indeed, Clements made an unforgivable mistake by counting two knockdowns instead of three.

Judge Clements had a draw result. If he would have scored this first round appropriately, Pacquiao would have won this fight by split decision.

Definitely, Marquez got helped by this judge to end up with a draw decision.

Juan Manuel Marquez Dominated the 11 Following Rounds

An error has occurred on one scorecard, but it doesn’t take away the incredible comeback by Marquez. On the three judges’ scorecards, the Mexican fighter won respectively Rounds 5, 7 and 10 of the 11 rounds following the atrocious Round 1.

You have read it right. On one scorecard, Guy Jutras’, Pacquiao only won one of the final 11 rounds.

Compubox numbers were telling about the same story than the scorecards. In the final 11 rounds, Marquez landed more punches in seven of them. He also landed more power punches in eight of them. In fact, at some point, Dinamita outpunched Pac-Man by a four-to-one ratio.

How Things Turned Around

After the three early knockdowns, Marquez enters the second round with a bloody and broken nose. Pacquiao probably thinks that he can finish the Mexican fighter. The Filipino champion keeps trying to land his fatal straight left hand. Flurries are coming from everywhere.

However, Marquez makes a stand with a solid right hand followed by a left uppercut. Pacquiao instantly calms down and Marquez starts to counter-punch efficiently from there. At this moment, the fight changes completely.

Starting on the third round, Marquez is constantly able to time Pac-Man. He takes total control of the fight. In the fourth round, Marquez catches Pacquiao with a solid right hand. The Filipino man answers by raising both arms in the air. No worries, he is all-right.

In the fifth and sixth rounds, Marquez lands a few more solid right hands. Actually, Pacquiao is sent a few times in the ropes. His punches are down by almost 50 percent compared to the first round.

Starting on the seventh round, Pacquiao tried to adjust but will never be successful. Marquez is able to time him efficiently until the 10th round. The last two rounds show two desperate fighters throwing punches without any concern for the defense.

The fight ends with two bloody boxers. If you turned the television on at the second round, you clearly believe that it is a unanimous decision win for Marquez.

The X-Factor

Marquez is courageous and a determined fighter. This is part of the reason why he was able to earn a draw in the first fight, back in 2004. However, none of it would be possible without a natural trait.

Marquez has the ability to recuperate quickly after being knocked down. It boxing, this aspect can hardly been taught. At best, you can improve it with some tips, but this kind of recuperation is special.

Dinamita has a special way to get back in the fight after a knockdown. Few fighters can do it, and none of the actual boxers do it better than Marquez. This is the only way that Marquez was able to earn a draw in this fight. Without this, he was out after one or two rounds.

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