Pacquiao vs. Marquez: 3 Keys to a Shocking Marquez Upset

This is your friendly reminder that Juan Manuel Marquez is a few punches away from being 3-0 against Manny Pacquiao—that is, if you agree with Marquez when he said he won the first two fights.

Sure, he’s 38 years old. Sure, he hasn’t looked as good as Pac-Man in recent bouts. But, that doesn’t mean this isn’t going to be a heck of a fight.

Nobody matches up against Pacquiao quite like Marquez.

Here are three keys that will lead to a Marquez victory, settling this epic trilogy once and for all. 

Counter, counter, counter…then counter some more

It’s no secret that the only way Marquez wins this fight is if he can be extremely patient and let Pac-Man be the overly aggressive one.

That’s exactly what occurred in the first two fights, and it has to be the game plan again. The longer he hangs around and chips away at the hyperactive Pacquiao, the better his odds get.

Pac-Man is well aware that he knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their ’04 bout before Marquez eventually wore him out. Expect him to go for the knockout early, which is perfect for the counter punch mentality of Marquez.  

Marquez needs to let Manny wear himself out…again. 

Bloody Manny

Pacquiao isn’t used to having cuts on his face, and it tends to throw him off his game. Even trainer Freddie Roach admitted Pacquiao panics a bit when he has big gashes that must be treated between rounds.

Marquez isn’t a big puncher, but if he can use his patented patience to get multiple blows in a certain area of Pac-Man’s face, panic will set in.

Marquez could care less if he’s covered in blood. He’s the tougher fighter. 

Remember History

The two fights back in 2004 and 2008 were highly controversial, to the point where Marquez is convinced he won both of them.

He told the Daily Mail that this fight is personal, saying:

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"He is upset about me saying that I won the first two fights; I am upset that I haven't got the decisions."

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Sometimes that extra bit of motivation is all you need. Marquez can re-write the history books of both fighters with a win.