09.05.04 – By Fred De La Riva – reevee69@sbclobal.net – Pacman has definitely improved under the tutelage of Freddy Roach. His stamina is incredible, as he does not seem to tire. His chin is among the division’s best. He still fights somewhat wildly, but his haymakers are his bread and butter.
Marquez on the other hand, is the best ring technician since Ricardo Lopez. There is not an inch of the ring he does not know. He also now knows now that he can take a beating and comeback. The pain of fighting with a broken nose must have been excruciating. He has the heart equal to that of Holyfield.
As far as the fight goes, I thought Marquez won a narrow victory 115-113. I gave Manny rounds 1, 10 and 12 with rounds 2 and 8 being even on my scorecard. Marquez was by far the better technician. Barring the first round, the fight was more on his terms. In the re-match, Marquez must avoid the disaster that was the start of the fight. If he fights 12 more rounds with his superior counter punching style, he can win an effective but lackluster decision in comparison to this fight. Manny on the other hand, benefited from being in a fight like this. The experience he gained in such a big fight is invaluable. At 25 he is still has not reached his peak and Roach should be able to guide him to the top barring any self-inflicted damage to his career. He is the hardest hitting featherweight since Hamed, but with better technique
1. Under WBA rules the fight should have been stopped in the 1st round. Under the IBF rules the fight could have continued since there is no 3 knockdown rule.
For those that were surprised that the fight continued after the first round.
2. Under WBA rules the 1st round CANNOT be scored less than 10-7, so whether the judge admits a mistake or not is irrelevant. The IBF does not make such distinction on their website.
It has been a big point of contention to many Paquiao fans. Let it go when watching the replay and score accordingly.
3. There was no low blow controversy as the ref warned JMM when he hit low and let it go when it was on the beltline.
Hitting on the beltline is considered legal by many referee’s, as fighters tend to wear their trunks high.
4. One big punch does not win the round. It is the fighter who has the majority of clean punching and effective aggressiveness that wins the round.
Harold Lederman does this quite often as do many fans and judges.
5. Winning most of the rounds does not win a fight. Having the higher score under the ten-point must system does.
Though Marquez may have won the majority of the round depending on your perspective, the total points at the end of the fight are what matters.
6. He with the most physical damage to the face is not necessarily the loser.
Vitali Klitschko fans were more than happy to tell us this after his fight with Lewis.
7. Breaking the rules does not always result in a point deduction.
If you can get away with it, more power to you. Manny hit Marquez when he was down after the third knockdown. Manny’s fans are quick to point out the supposed low blows.
8. Sometimes the corners do tell you the truth.
I was impressed on how Roach and Berenstein did not lie or exaggerate what was going on to their fighters. The advice that was given was training at its best. Those two should and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame sometime in the future.
9. Leave your nationality at the door. Enjoy the competitive match up and score according to the accepted rules of scoring.
Though countries of origin or race play a big role in whom you root for, this fight is one of the best in 2004. Sit back and enjoy.
10. Close fights does not a robbery make.
Sometimes your fighter comes out on the short end of the stick. This wasn’t one of those rotten apple decisions. A draw was the best thing that could of happened to these two fighters. The next purse will be much bigger.
Feel free to contact the author at reevee69@sbclobal.net