Pacquiao vs. Marquez Predictions: Why Age Will Be Marquez's Downfall

When Manny Paquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez stepped into the ring three years ago, Marquez was experienced. Now, he's old.

Marquez is 38. When fighters start flirting with 40, they tend to age in dog years. His veteran experience allowed him to hold his own against Pac-Man in both of the previous editions of this fight, but at this stage in his career, his experience isn't going to compensate for the way his body has regressed.

Marquez has more experience than Pacquiao, but to suggest that Pacquiao is "green" by any means would be foolish.

Pacquiao makes up for whatever experience he is lacking with the raw ability that now evades Marquez. Physically, Marquez is outmatched.

Marquez will be able to speak of the two times he nearly took down Pacquiao for the rest of his life. He'll want to leave out the last part when he stepped into the ring a few years too late and got clobbered.

Obviously this is a fight we all still want to see, but if it goes to the later rounds, a younger Pacquiao is simply going to be able outlast Marquez.

Marquez is not the force he once was and being well past his prime will ultimately lead to a painful fight to watch. Pacquiao has gotten stronger, while Marquez has only grown older.

He's not walking into the ring with a cane or a walker, but he may walk out of the ring needing one.