Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Why Pacquiao Shouldn't Want Mayweather Fight Now

This past Saturday, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez went toe-to-toe for a third time.

The result?

Eerily similar to their last two encounters, which ended in a draw in 2004 and a split decision loss for the Mexican in 2008.

This time, the bout went all 12 rounds again, concluding in a majority decision win for the Filipino.

It's not a win Manny should be proud of, though, as he barely escaped, leading to an outcome that relied heavily on luck.

Despite winning his 15th fight in succession, Manny looks more vulnerable than ever. If he's going to struggle as much as he did against Marquez, how is he going to subdue Floyd Mayweather?

The American boxer and the Mexican share a similar style, but along the spectrum of actual skill, Mayweather trumps Marquez.

Notwithstanding, preliminary talk of a dream matchup between the WBO and WBC World Welterweight Champions in May 2012, it would be in Pacquiao's best interests to hold off for at least a year.

Five reasons, in particular, highlight why "Pac-Man" should be patient.

Pacquiao Has Too Much Trouble with Counter-Punchers

Let's face it, as much as Manny has refined his style in the ring, counter-punchers neutralize him too well.

In the Filipino's three bouts with the Mexican, Manny was taken to the limit each time, narrowly winning by the skin of his teeth.

Using Saturday's fight as an example, Marquez held his ground for all 12 rounds, countering most of Manny's arsenal of moves. Although "Pac-Man" connected on more punches, Marquez hit harder on his.

Against someone like Mayweather, whose punches pack more power than Juan Manuel, Pacquiao may find himself staring up at the lights before the 12th round.

Essentially, what should be on Pacquiao's agenda between now and the inevitable Mayweather battle is to study an endless amount of tape and hire a defensive coach.

The latter is especially crucial because if Manny hopes to defeat Floyd, he'll have to learn how to think like "Money."

Too Many Chinks in Manny's Armor Have Been Exposed

For whatever reason, in their third fight together, Pacquiao looked more human than ever against Marquez.

Going into the fight, most pundits believed the 38-year-old Mexican would have his luck run out against the comparatively young, 32-year-old Filipino.

Yet, as luck would have it, Marquez was with his rival every step of the way, not only ready for his opponent's attacks, but aware of how to deflect most of them.

More likely than not, if Juan Manuel had turned on his afterburners in the final round like there was no tomorrow, we may be hailing a new WBO Welterweight Champion.

Consequently, Pacquiao would have lost a lot of steam and financial leverage in a potential blockbuster with Mayweather.

That being said, even by retaining his title, Manny looked very beatable, especially against the specter of Mayweather, who is a bigger, better and badder version of Marquez.

Mayweather Easily Handled Marquez in 2009

In the clash of the defensive-oriented titans in September 2009, Mayweather overcame Marquez by way of unanimous decision.

The fight wasn't nearly as close as the 12-round duration would lead most to believe. From the starting bell until the final toll, Mayweather seemingly toyed with the Mexican.

Marquez was no match for Floyd's speed, agility and prowess as a defensive juggernaut—the last of which is saying a lot, considering Juan Manuel earned his reputation as a counterattack competitor.

Nonetheless, Marquez incessantly struggled to recover his breath, eyesight, footing and depleted energy against the physically immaculate Mayweather, who barely broke a sweat.

Suffice to say, Pacquiao has his work cut out for him in what will be the biggest test of his career. If he wants to win, though, he shouldn't be in a hurry to prove his mettle against "Money."

Mayweather's Style Is Too Complex for Pacquiao

Compared to Mayweather, Pacquiao is a fighter with rudimentary skills, who is dependent upon a vast supply of energy that would allow for an aggressive game plan.

Furthermore, "Pac-Man's" repertoire is built on right-handed set-ups and left-handed flurries reminiscent of a whirling dervish. Such a manner of fighting would be ideal against similarly-inclined challengers or ones who aren't particularly adept at utilizing defense to their advantage.

However, as his last fight underscored, Pacquiao, who from an offensive standpoint has no equals, is stymied against talented counter-punchers like Marquez.

The ingenious defensive skills that Mayweather employs, however, will not only offset Pacquiao's offensive brilliance, but stifle them.

"Money" is a one-of-a-kind boxer, who is a master of setting the rhythm and tempo of a bout while conserving his energy. There is nobody more adept at ducking punches, blocking combos and countering jabs/hooks/uppercuts with a devastating barrage of his own.

Unless Manny makes marked improvements in his game, he'll be slim pickings for Floyd.

Juan Manuel Marquez Deserves 4th Rematch with Pacquiao

Before Mayweather gets a crack at the Filipino phenom, Marquez is entitled to a fourth and final bout.

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, is also keen on the possibility, noting a $10 million payday will dissuade the Mexican from retirement and lure him back for one last shot at redemption in May 2012.

Each of their three fights has gone the distance, been spectacularly intriguing and had fans wondering what else Marquez must do to finally shed the albatross off his neck.

Pacquiao, too, has a lot to prove, having failed to gain a decisive victory against Marquez. Not counting their draw in 2004, one can reasonably argue Manny has been a beneficiary of serendipity; his two wins are more of a result of avoiding losses to Juan Manuel than actually being responsible for the outcomes.

Unless "Pac-Man" is able to definitively quell the outcries of "controversy" and "conspiracy" against Marquez, any Mayweather conjecture is premature.