Pacquiao vs. Marquez: 3 Keys to a Pac-Man Win

Many believe Manny Pacquiao will win handily on Saturday. That would be beyond foolish as Juan Manuel Marquez has a very real chance at delivering a stirring loss to Pacquiao.

I understand how comfortable we have all become with Pacquiao's winning ways. It seems inconceivable that Pacquiao could possibly be on the losing side of any bout not featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr. along with him. 

Manny Pacquiao knows the precise recipe to take down Juan Manuel Marquez. What makes this bout so intriguing is that Marquez does as well. 

Marquez is the only fighter in years to take the legendary boxer to the peak of exhaustion. This will be a fight that Pacquiao should win, but his performance will mandate the following things:

1. Defense wins bouts

Pacquiao's defense has improved since the last time these two met in 2008. If Marquez is ready for Pac-Man's speed, he is hardly acquainted with the emergence of an impenetrable defense. 

2. Footwork

Marquez has bulked up for this bout and will be looking to lay some hurt bombs on Pacquiao. Pac-Man does have speed and footwork on his side. The older Marquez will struggle in the later rounds as his endurance is put to the ultimate test. 

Marquez can't hit what he can't find. As the crucial later rounds unfold, an exhausted Marquez will have less sting to those punches. 

3. Put Marquez on his butt

This may seem like a no-brainer. Every fighter wants to get a flurry of knockdowns. It is how Pacquiao delivered this in the first couple of fights that must be replicated. 

I fear Marquez can win enough rounds to makes a decision problematic for Pacquiao. If he combines the other two points, putting Marquez to the mat a couple times should be a breeze.