Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Neither Man Would Benefit from Fourth Bout

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez sure know how to leave the public wanting more. After three fights, following which one man's official record reads 2-0-1, how often do people clamor for a fourth?

Well, according to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, Pacquiao and his camp are looking for a fourth fight. 

This really defies explanation. Controversy aside, Pacquiao has a 2-0-1 record over Marquez. What does he have to prove in a fourth fight?

The third fight, admittedly, ended in controversy. So, theoretically, Pacquiao needs to prove that he's the better fighter. 

However, let's take a look at this from Pacquiao's perspective for a second.

Who really cares if he wins? If he walks out and floors Marquez with one punch, it won't change what happened in the third bout or the first two. Pacquiao needs to look at this from a bottom line perspective and realize that the record is there. 

His next fight, which was detailed by Pugmire, needs to be with Floyd Mayweather Jr. At this point, anyone else would just look bad. 

On the other hand, what about Marquez? Would a fourth fight benefit him?

The answer is no.

Sometimes it's better to be a hard-luck loser than a winner in sports. Right now, Marquez is a hard-luck loser.

If he comes out in a fourth fight and beats Pacquiao, the intrigue is gone. Conversely, if he comes out and loses, the controversy of the third fight dissipates.  

Right now, they both have elements working in their favor. Pacquiao has the bottom line. That is, a 2-0-1 record. Without viewing the fights, a 2-0-1 record doesn't leave much to the imagination as to who the better fighter is.

Conversely, Marquez has the charm of being on the wrong end of a controversy. No, that doesn't help his record, but it does help how he is viewed.

Winning a fourth fight would only hurt that, while losing a fourth fight would really hurt that.

From a financial perspective, a fourth fight would probably benefit both men. Beyond that, both Pacquiao and Marquez are better off leaving their rivalry as a trilogy.