Manny Pacquiao: Why Bout with Marquez Is Most Important of Pac-Man's Career

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III is the most important fight of Pac-Man’s illustrious career.

This fight will further cement him as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, but it holds all of the leverage for the potential "Fight of the Century" with Floyd Mayweather.

Of course, he has to win first.

Marquez won’t be holding back in this fight. At 38 years of age, this is his last shot at true glory. His attempts at "punking" Pac-Man with his T-shirt propaganda was a futile attempt to get in Pacquiao’s head or grand success depending who you talk to, but the fact remains that he has a doughnut in the win column.

Marquez may be in the best shape of his life heading into this epic showdown. He won’t hold back, which is why this matchup is that more important for Pac-Man. Marquez has battled Pacquiao tough twice already, which even more so why it is imperative Pacquiao comes out swinging and wastes no time winning this fight.

Most expect Pacquiao to win. It will easily set up the fight with Mayweather. Yet if he loses, he has zero leverage against Mayweather. Fans have little reason to see Mayweather vs. Pacquiao if Pac-Man can’t even put down Marquez.

Most already believe Mayweather will win a tough fight against Pac-Man, but everybody would be on the bandwagon if Pac-Man fails to secure another victory against Marquez. That's bad news for Pacquiao, who can't afford to lose credibility against arguably the greatest self-promoter in the sports universe.

Pacquiao’s career is already somewhat defined, but this is the fight that will keep him on the straight path to "Greatest of All-Time." It is the match that will lead fans, Mayweather and Pacquiao to the ultimate boxing showdown in the near future.

Boxing, as a whole, essentially rests on this match and its outcome. It’s not just the most important match of Pac-Man’s career thus far, it is the match that will make or break the sport's future.