Pacquiao vs. Marquez III: Lighter Weights Will Make for More Entertaining Fight

Good news for boxing fans who plunked down $55 (or $65 for high-definition) to see Juan Manuel Marquez take on Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night: both fighters checked in lighter than the 144-pound catch weight on Friday.

What's so good about that? Well, if nothing else, it means that Dinamita and Pac-Man are in impeccable shape, which, in turn, means that they're both taking this fight very seriously and will bring plenty of intensity, passion and skill into the ring as a result.

Of course, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with the history between these two and how they reached the top of the sport. Both are notoriously diligent and disciplined in the way they go about preparing and training for their fights. Heck, Marquez drinks his own urine to get an edge!

If that's not intensity and dedication, then I don't know what is—unless Pacquiao decided to punch himself in the face or something.

You know, old-fashioned character building.

Granted, both Marquez and Pacquiao tend naturally to fight at lighter weights—that's part of what makes them great. Both have built their success over the years on speed and agility, allowing them to outmaneuver their opponents.

Either way, it's a good thing that Marquez will fight at 142 pounds and Pacquiao at 143. They'll put on a good show, just as they have the last two times, and chances are, Pac-Man will finish off the ghost of Marquez that's dogged him over the years, once and for all.

And then it'll be on to Floyd Mayweather Jr. or, if Bob Arum proves to be as stubborn as he's been in dealing with Top Rank, one of Arum's own fighters, like Tim Bradley.

Who, by the way, will be defending his WBO light welterweight title against former star Joel Casamayor on the undercard for Saturday's big bout.

For now, though, fans can sit back, relax and enjoy watching two world-class fighter beat the stuffing out of each with gloved fists.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, too.