Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Pac-Man's Confidence Rocked After Title Fight

Manny Pacquiao may have won the battle on Saturday night against challenger Juan Manuel Marquez, but he certainly lost the war.

Marquez's valiant effort through 12 rounds with the champion had the Pac-Man pressing and looking off of his game for at least half of the fight.

Whether Pacquiao wanted it too badly or was focused on Floyd Mayweather Jr., his confidence took a significant hit before his latest result in Las Vegas.

With Marquez celebrating after the final bell, and the Mexican crowd cheering in support and agreement that Marquez had out-boxed the champion, Pacquiao had to wonder.

However, that wonder won't go away just because he got credit for the victory.

Pacquiao has to know that Mayweather was watching his every move on Saturday night, and that Pretty Boy Floyd is leagues quicker than Marquez.

Quite frankly, Pacquiao's confidence is not what it was before Saturday's fight.

He prepared to silence Marquez and the critics with a convincing, dominant win over the 38-year-old Mexican, and he failed to do so.

Instead his narrow win opened the door for more questioning and controversy.

Marquez is still in the head of Pacquiao, he has to be, even after taking two of the three fights against him.

It's fair to say that Pacquiao's confidence has been replaced with the surprising speed and power of Juan Manuel Marquez, and eventually will be overcome by that of Floyd Mayweather Jr.