Fix Square

After months of negotiation between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, it seems that we won't be seeing the two fight it out in the ring this year. Rumor has it that Marquez's asking price for the bout is $20 Million. Negotiations has failed and Marquez is now in talks with another who fighter who has beaten Pacquiao via a controversial split decision, Timothy Bradley.

The 4th match between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao has taken an unexpected turn. It has been the first time that I have seen Manny got knocked out like that. This is the first real lost for Pacquiao in 7 years. In my opinion the Bradley bout doesn't count since Manny was able to give him a beating and most observers would agree that Manny won the match.

The first round was won by Manny in my opinion. The second was Marquez's as he put Pacquiao in the canvass with clean right punch to his cheek. Pacquiao retaliated and was more agressive in the next few rounds. Pacquaio got the upper hand and was able to knocked Marquez after a minute in the 5th round. Marquez was able to shake it off but Pacquaio was relentless with succeeding attacks. At the start of the six, Marquez came out of his corner with a bleeding nose. Pacquaio was still aggresive but got knocked with another right punch which he never recovered from in the sixth round. It took Pacquaio a few minutes to get up. By then It was all over.

Speed was a factor in this match. Maybe Pacquiao has really aged and lost his advantage. One thing is sure. Marquez was more prepared in this match. Some might say that Manny was too reckless. But that seems to be the key if he wish to beat Marquez. When Manny is cautious, Marquez would just patiently wait to counter punch. But when Manny is fighting like a street fighter, it throws Marquez off his guard. It was a good battle plan and it seems like Pacquiao was on his way to beat Marquez. But we all know how good of a counter puncher Marquez is. In the end, Marquez came on top and has given Manny his worst lost in years.

Is it time to throw the towel? From some it is time to retire for Manny? I don't he would besides Pacquiao is still under contract with Bob Arum. Arum would sure that he fight a few more matches before he lets Pacquiao retire. Pacquiao is big time athlete. I don't think he want to remember him as the guy who won it all lost the last two fight, got knocked down and hit the canvass and retire. If you are Pacquiao would you retire? I don't think so.

He might come back stronger on his next fight and prove that he is still someone to fear. Maybe they are just setting up a Pacquaio - Mayweather match. Now that he was defeated by Marquez maybe Mr. Mayweather would have the courage to fight Manny now. But the is pretty big risk getting punch like that just to setup a match. I don't think they expected it to go down like that. I don't think Marquez even did.

Don't get me wrong. I still believe in the Pacman. I am sure he will come back to his winning form and wow us again with his performance. Well done to Marquez. He has proved that he has outmatched Pacquiao in this fight. He is the better fighter in this bout. Some might blame his new found faith. But I don't think people should judge him. He gave it all but made a wrong move. A critical mistake. I actually saw a different Manny Pacquiao in this match compared to his pass few bout. He is more aggressive. I saw the same Pacquiao who fought Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.

So if these two will fight again, would you still be willing to watch? I definitely would.

Here we go again. We have seen these two three times already and they are going to meet again this coming December 8, 2012. I really don't understand why they have to fight again. Although everybody knows that Marquez is the toughest assignment that Pacquiao has ever had, it is quite boring watching them again fight.

3 fights is enough.If it is Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao fighting for the 4th time, I wouldn't mind. Cotto is brave enough to go head to head with Pacquiao unlike Marquez who is just waiting to counter punch. Given the right combination Cotto might hae beaten Pacquiao.If Marquez was able to knock the wind and put Paquiao on the floor in the last two matches that they had, then it might be an interesting match.

Both Camps are now claiming that their fighters has never been in a better than they are right now. Both camps are claiming that they will beat their opponents. Heard that before. Get it over with and bring someone new. Mayweather are you up to it? Or are you still waiting for Pacquiao to aged more?

I hope the December 8 match is something different from what we have seen before. Pacquiao has to go for the knockout to convince his critics that he still has it in him. Knock him out and shut him up for good so that we could close this Marquez chapter that has been going longer than expected.We will just have to wait and see.