Manny Pacquiao: Why All the Pressure Is on Pac-Man's Shoulders

What does Juan Manuel Marquez have to lose in tonight’s fight with Manny Pacquiao? Nothing. He has absolutely nothing to lose because he’s supposed to lose. Pac-Man is supposed to destroy him.

All the pressure is on Pacquiao’s shoulders. Everyone expects him to win and march on towards a fight with Floyd Mayweather.

Not so fast.

With nothing to lose, Marquez stands a fighter’s chance. I don’t expect him to win, frankly few do, but what should scare Pac-Man is exactly that. He won’t be afraid to go toe-to-toe, even though that wouldn’t be the best strategy, but you never know because anything can happen. One punch and it could be over. That’s the definition of a fighter’s chance.

Pac-Man is feeling the heat of being the heavy favorite, winning their previous fight (draw in first fight) and having the boxing universe and future rely upon his performance.

Sometimes having people tell you you’re supposed to win can give you too much belief; causing less preparation and hard work. I don’t honestly see Pacquiao having this problem because he understands what’s at stake, but if anything was scary from a Pac-Man supporters angle it is that one.

If he does lose, where does boxing go from there? Would people still want Mayweather-Pacquiao? They shouldn’t because we already know who the best is.

With the sport’s future on his shoulders, Pacquiao is feeling 100 percent of the pressure. Marquez knows that nobody expects him to be victorious so he is just going to come out fighting.

If anything scares a Pac-Man supporter it is the fact that Marquez has absolutely nothing to lose. It’s win or choke for Pacquiao. 

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.