Manny Pacquiao: Pac-Man's Reign of Dominance Is over

Manny Pacquiao has been one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. His ability to move from weight class to weight class with effectiveness has been equaled only by Henry Armstrong. I hope you were able to witness it, because that reign is coming to an end.

This is not just about what happened on Saturday night, which was another hard fought and exciting win over Juan Manuel Marquez. This about his last four fights—not about the great shape he was in last night.

Despite the fact that he had looked a little off his pace against Shane Mosley and despite the magnificent shape he was in, he was unable to dominate Marquez. In fact many people believed he lost this fight. I had him winning 115-113, but this was not the type of performance he wanted to have.

Marquez is 38 years old, and Pacquiao should have been able to win more convincingly, especially at 144 pounds. I don’t want to take anything away from Marquez, as he is a brilliant prizefighter. He indeed is Pacquiao’s Frazier. Since we’re making Muhammad Ali references, if Marquez is his Smokin’ Joe (R.I.P) then Mayweather will be his Larry Holmes.

Sure enough, Mayweather is older than Holmes and Pacquiao is not quite as old as Ali was on the night over 30 years ago, but you get my point. 

Style does make fight, but we can’t ignore the fact that Mayweather destroyed Marquez in their bout, although obviously Marquez was even younger then. Also, Mayweather is a great counter-puncher, among other things.

Its not just Mayweather, as I’m not sure Pacquiao will defeat Tim Bradley if that is his next opponent. I don’t want to overreact, especially after a win, but let us not ignore the signs.

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.