Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Why Embattled Marquez Should Skip a 4th Bout

What’s the point, Juan?

That’s what I’m wondering aloud with all of the latest Juan Manuel Marquez-Manny Pacquiao IV rumors.

Right after the fight on Saturday night, I was sure there was no way Pacquiao could be awarded the victory. Marquez landed more punches; he hit harder and seemed to be in complete control from the second round onwards.

The Guardian agrees with me:

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On balance Pacquiao won the final four or five rounds, but was that enough to make up for Marquez’s good work over the first seven or eight? Hardly.

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After questionable decisions in their first two bouts, this one may have been the most controversial one of all.

So why try and beat Pacquiao and the judges if you're Marquez?

Clearly the sport of boxing is better off with Pacquiao being on top, and it’s going to take a knockout by Marquez for him to finally get the credit he deserves.

With his style of patient counter punching, Marquez isn’t built for the KO. At the age of 38, he isn’t getting any younger, and a knockout is never going to happen.

Marquez’s best option right now is to let the tape do the talking. Let all the “experts” re-watch the bout and break down every punch. That is where they can find the answer to who won the controversial fight.

Sure, he could really cash in by agreeing to a fourth bout (he earned roughly $5 million for the third fight) and he would also remain a fixture in the boxing world for another six months or so.

But if it’s legacy he cares about, if it’s the love of the sport he cares about, he needs to pass on a fourth fight.

It’s a lose/lose situation.