Pacquiao vs Marquez: What a Marquez Knockout Means for Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao will battle Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time on Saturday night, and loss by way of a knockout would greatly hurt Pac-Man's legacy. 

A loss in general would be devastating for the heavy favorite, but an unexpected knockout would make so many in the boxing world wonder if Pacquiao is on a decline. 

The fact that Pacquiao is quicker and stronger, plus he has a size advantage and is younger, he should easily win on Saturday night.

However, if he's caught off guard and hits the floor, it will shock the boxing world.

The last time Pacquiao lost was in 2005 to Érik Morales, and that fight lasted 12 rounds. You'd have to go all the way back to 1999 for the last time Pacquiao was knocked out by a boxer.

Very few people are picking Marquez, and I highly doubt anyone has him winning via knockout. But the possibility is there because of the history these two have. 

Any boxer could be knocked out on any given night. Nobody is perfect, and if they're up against a talented opponent, the minute they make a mistake it could greatly cost them. 

Will that happen to Pacquiao? Its tough to say, but Pac-Man makes very few mistakes. 

With a win, the chances of the most anticipated fight ever, Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr, would greatly increase.

But if he loses on Saturday, that fight may never happen. 

Unless of course Mayweather wants to fight Pacquiao when he's vulnerable. Then again, there's no guarantee Pacquiao would accept the fight if he falls to Marquez on Saturday.

Both boxers need a victory on Saturday, but Marquez needs it more.

He has yet to have that marquee victory in his career, and a true win over Pacquiao would increase his status in the boxing world and boost him in the overall rankings. 

Since Marquez needs it more, you cannot count him out of this fight. 

The first time these two fought it ended in a controversial draw, and the second time Pacquiao won in a split decision. 

The hype for this fight keeps getting bigger, and if Pacquiao were to get knocked out a lot of people would be disappointed. 

Pacquiao has a chance to be considered the greatest boxer of all time, but if he gets knocked out that title will be far from reach.