Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Biggest Storylines to Follow During Tonight's Fight

There are several storylines to follow when Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez fight for the third time tonight. 

This fight has huge implications, and not just in the ring.  Tonight's bout will be the most important one we have witnessed in years.

Will speed be the deciding factor?

Marquez has had to gain roughly 12 pounds for this fight in only a few months.  He weighed in at 142 pounds; the last time he was that heavy, he lost to Floyd Mayweather by unanimous decision (120-107, 119-108, 118-109).

In that fight, Marquez looked very slow; if he comes out that slow again tonight, he will be knocked out.  However, Marquez looks much more defined and less fleshy this time around. 

Perhaps this will help his speed, but we'll need to keep an eye on whether or not he looks too slow to win.

Can Manny silence Marquez?

These two have fought twice before with the results being disputed.  The first fight was ruled a draw, and the second a close Pac-Man victory.

Both times Marquez said that he was robbed of a victory.  This time Pacquiao has to show that he's the better fighter by earning either a unanimous decision, or a knockout.

Pac-Man can't have this fight be close, or else there will always be doubt about how good he really is.

Is Pac-Man rusty?

Pacquiao hasn't fought for about seven months, and he may be rusty.  Because of his distractions in music, politics, and everything else, Pacquiao has not fought as much as usual in the last few years.

He's had other things on his mind and that could lead to him being rusty at the start of tonight's fight.

If Pacquiao comes out slowly, Marquez will be able to use that extra 12 pounds of muscle he has packed on to land a few big punches early and shake his opponent. 

Will Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather next?

Ever since these two scheduled a fight, the boxing world has been buzzing.  Unfortunately, the fight fell apart because the two could not agree on anti-doping methods, and they have not set another date.

If Pacquiao can beat his arch-rival, Marquez, it will prove that he is ready for anyone, and that he should be fighting Mayweather next.

If Pac-Man wins, the boxing world will demand Pacquiao-Mayweather, and they may just get it.

For the latest news and updates on Pacquiao Vs. Marquez, and for all the latest news and insight on all things boxing, be sure to check out Bleacher Report's Boxing Central.