SAN DIEGO, December 8, 2012 – Boxing heads around the world want one thing from tonight’s fourth bout between Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico: a fight that settles the score between them.
After a draw between the pair in their first fight at featherweight in 2004, then a split decision for Pacquiao in 2008, the third fight in November 2011 was supposed to decide the rivalry. But all the unanimous decision for Pacquiao did was generate more questions about Pacquiao’s focus and whether Marquez got robbed of the victory.
Pacquiao-Marquez IV might not be the ultimate fight fans hoped for, but it’s the biggest boxing event of 2012. The MGM Grand Arena is a sellout, and the pay-per-view numbers are expected to be big. Pacquiao’s take could be $30 million; Marquez will make around $6 million.
These fighters know other inside and out after 36 rounds in the ring together. The rivalry is real not only between them but also between their trainers, Freddie Roach and Nacho Beristain.
Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) needs a definitive, unquestioned win against Marquez, not another controversial decision. He must prove his victories over Marquez were the real deal; he needs it to prove he’s still in the game of boxing at the highest levels both physically and mentally. He must leave no doubts if he is ever going to fight Floyd Mayweather.
Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) knows at age 39 this might be the last big fight of his career, and despite all his success, it may be the one fight he will be remembered for. A knockout of the great champion Pacquiao would validate all of his previous fights against him and will ensure his name is written large in the boxing history books.
Pacquiao-Marquez IV will air on HBO Pay-Per-View on Saturday, December 8. The televised undercard fights start at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific. We will host a live Fight Night Chat here at Communities at Washington Times so you can catch all the action with us. State your predictions and give us your view of the action too.
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