Pacquiao vs. Marquez III: Epic Rivalry Doesn't Need Classic Third Fight

To some degree, it doesn't matter what happens between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night. Don't get me wrong, I am hoping for an epic fight and am sure that we'll get at least a good one, but it isn't necessary. 

This rivalry is already going to go down as one of the best in modern history. No, it's not on par with the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier trilogy, but that's not a fair comparison. 

For one, heavyweights that can sell will always attract more interest than anyone else. Ali could sell, Frazier could sell.

Those two were the perfect match for each other, both in and out of the ring. The matches were just classics, but how often do we see a series of three fights that are that good? 

Not often at all. 

But here, we're getting a third fight between two men who have already given us two classics. This rivalry is going to be remembered fondly if one man scores a first-round knockout. 

Frankly, I don't see that happening. 

Bodog is still setting the over/under for total rounds at 10.5. I really don't see the under winning out. But even if it does, it will be close.

These two just have clashing styles that suggest anything other than an early round knockout will happen.

But again, so what if it does? These two have put on two absolute classics. When the fights were over, both could have ended in any one of three different directions:

Pacquiao win.

Marquez win.

Draw.

Marquez has yet to score that elusive win. My guess is that he won't here.

But when you're talking about a trio of fights, if two of them ended without a clear winner, you really can't ask for more. 

It doesn't matter if the winner is clear, or if there's even a knockout. 

This rivalry is one of the best that the sport has seen in a long time.

On Saturday, it will meet a sad, yet exciting end.