Manny Pacquiao: Why Fighting Juan Manuel Marquez Is Too Risky for Pac-Man

I don't doubt that Manny Pacquiao is a better fighter than Juan Manuel Marquez.

I don't doubt that it would take the fight of Marquez's life to beat Pacquiao.

But I do doubt Pacquiao's decision to fight Marquez, because there's still a chance he could lose.

It's worth noting that Pacquiao didn't have to take this fight. They fought twice and the final decisions were a draw and a split-decision. For the most part, people don't have a problem with those decisions. It could have gone either way, but Pacquiao came out on top, and you can't say he didn't deserve it.

However, there is one man who does have a problem with those decisions, and of course that man is Marquez.

Let me first start off by saying if every boxer allowed his opponent to talk his way into another fight, boxing would be more chaotic than it already is. Matchups that should have died years ago would only add to the general feeling that boxing has regressed when they turn out to be duds.

In essence, Marquez pressured Pacquiao into a fight that he didn't have to fight. He wore T-shirts labeled, "I beat Pacquiao twice," he pestered Pacquiao constantly, he disrespected him at times.

The truth is, most people consider Pacquiao do be one of the greatest fighters of his time, and most people weren't really swayed by Marquez's constant jabbering.

But notice what happened when Marquez finally got that fight. In short, he stopped his complaining. Because he got what he wanted.

Imagine what happens if Marquez wins now. He can honestly claim he's a better fighter than Pacquiao, even if we all know it's not true. He would have gone 1-1-1 against Pacquiao, and on that ground he has a case.

Marquez has bulked up for this fight, which will limit his speed but increase his power. Given Marquez is a master counter-puncher, he has an even better chance of catching Pacquiao with a potential knockout blow while Pacquiao attacks.

I'm giving the fight to Pacquiao, but I do believe it's going to be another great fight that will go down to the wire.

The question is, is it worth the risk?

I don't think it is.