Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Why Showdown Will Fail to Live Up to Immense Hype

Manny Pacquiao has won his last 14 fights over the past six years.

That streak includes a split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez in 2008.

Marquez has fought six times since that loss; Pacquiao has fought seven.

But the one biggest difference since that fight is that Pacquiao has gotten better; Marquez has not.

Not only has Pac-Man gotten better over the last three years and seven fights, but he's gotten bigger and stronger while maintaining his speed.

Pacquiao continued to move up in weight and has dominated every opponent he's stepped in the ring with.

Marquez moved up in weight and was dominated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather is far from an ordinary fighter, but it is important to note that Marquez looked as uncomfortable with the added weight as he did with his actual opponent.

And that fight was more than two years ago.

A 38-year-old Marquez, who had returned to lightweight after the welterweight title fight, is attempting to move up again against an equally dangerous opponent in Pacquiao.

The catch-weight for this fight is 144 pounds.

Marquez holds a world title at 135 pounds, and Pacquiao holds a world title at 147.

Needless to say, the weight difference is a huge difference in this fight.

Expect Pacquiao to go after Marquez as he looks to leave no doubt about the legitimacy of the previous decision in this trilogy.

But Marquez is too tactical and too smart to stand in and trade punches with Pacquiao. 

If you are hoping to see a 12-round slugfest between these two, then you will be sorely disappointed.