Manny Pacquiao Beats Juan Manuel Marquez

In a great rematch to their great 2004 fight, Manny Pacquaio beat Juan Manuel Marquez by split decision tonight in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao knocked Marquez down in the third round and appeared to have him in serious trouble, but Marquez showed guts and determination in recovering and putting Pacquiao into danger. Both fighters had cuts on their eyes; late in the fight Marquez had an ugly gash over his eye that looked serious enough that the fight could have been stopped, but the fight did go the distance. One judge scored the fight 115-112 for Marquez, one scored it 115-112 for Pacquiao and one scored it 114-113 for Pacquiao.

On my live blog scorecard, Marquez won 114-113.

They were fighting for Marquez's WBC super featherweight (130-pound) belt. More significantly, they were fighting for the status as the best boxer in the world among fighters lighter than Floyd Mayweather, who is generally recognized as the world's top pound-for-pound boxer. If Mayweather is the best fighter in the world, these two are the second and third best. They put on a great show, and both deserve to be called champions.

Previously on FanHouse:
Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez Live
Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez Live Undercard Blog: David Diaz and More
Video: Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez Look Solid at Weigh In
As Manny Pacquiao Fight Nears, Fans in Philippines on Edge
Freddie Roach: 'This Is the Most Focused I've Ever Seen Manny Pacquiao'
Manny Pacquiao's Trainer Freddie Roach Already Thinking About David Diaz

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

3-16-2008 @ 12:26AM

pakshet101 said...

MARQUEZ WAS ROBBED!!!

3-16-2008 @ 12:27AM

oak said...

I agree with that pound for pound sentiment. Diaz did himself no favors with an unimpressive undercard showing.

Nice work on the updates MDS.

I will NEVER believe that Oscar de la Hoya will get in the ring with Pacman. Too much aggression and 2 handed power. Tonight showed his fearlessness. Marquez was certainly impressive tonight too.

3-16-2008 @ 12:37AM

yves said...

nice site. thanks

3-16-2008 @ 12:45AM

ken noland said...

another bullshit deciscion. marquez out boxed him and even did more damage. he is just got more heart than manny.dont get me wrong, manny is a warrior but cant discipline himself to methodically take someone apart.

3-16-2008 @ 1:00AM

nona said...

Great site for those who have no pay-per-view connection.

3-16-2008 @ 1:11AM

Now its just really for Pacquiao. As we all know last 2004 is not really a draw. Manny won because the judge admittedly made a mistake by not miscalculating a 1 point for Pacquiao.

3-16-2008 @ 2:21AM

richelle barredo said...

nice fight manny we salute you>>>thats a real fighter .....low blow shot by marquez is that a strategy??why a most of manny's fighter give a low blown to manny when they losing??

3-16-2008 @ 5:16AM

DM said...

You have to admit, that 3rd round knock down was sweet. That might have left a lasting impression to the judges. Marquez might have won the middle rounds, but Pacquiao won most of the late rounds, and oh yeah, that 3rd round knock down was sweet.

3-16-2008 @ 6:02AM

equalizer said...

Please ... watch again the fight. Pacman clearly won in that rematch ... a lot of Marquez punches were thrown in Pac gloves... so beat it guys.

3-16-2008 @ 7:23PM

ED said...

I don't think there was any robbery. The fight was Really, Really close. It could have gone either way. The knockdown was the deciding factor. Actually Marquez should have been counted down again in that same round when he kept himself up with ropes. Either way it was a great fight. I'm Filipino, but I Manny doesn't fight for me. It's never been Filipinos vs. Mexicans, it was Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez. They should fight again, but at 135lbs. It was obvious that Manny lost a step because his body just can't do 130lbs. anymore.

3-16-2008 @ 6:44AM

Gray said...

MARQUEZ total number of knockdown .. 4 1/2 VS PACQUIAO.

I think Pacquiao deserves it Because Marquez has nothing to prove.

3-16-2008 @ 7:50AM

Ruben said...

Marquez was robbed big time!!!

3-16-2008 @ 8:54AM

Put it this way, had the judge gave Marquez the decision, alot of People would say " Pacquiao was robbed ". None of these Mexicans ( Barrera, Morales, Marquez ) has knocked down Pacquiao. Pacquiao has knocked them all. Pacquiao deserved it. He is the true Champion. Deal with it.

3-16-2008 @ 9:52AM

john workman said...

it should have been a draw

3-16-2008 @ 9:57AM

the only reason it was not a draw is because they want to set up another fight myself i well fight many anytime i am biger but i am much older he is a pro i am not but i think i could pop him goodmake sure many gets this

3-16-2008 @ 10:14AM

bombshell said...

Please accept defeat w honor, theres nothing you can do brother a defeat is a defeat, no matter how many sour grapes JMM will say about the outcome of the fight, he can never change the decision of the judges.Its crystal clear that the fight was really very very close to a hairline gap, it really could go either way, but the judges saw Pacman as the winner as i saw it too.Both fighter is really worth watching for, so please all of you settle down and be glad that there were 3 judges so that one can be the tie breaker. Mabuhay Philippines, Viva Mexico