Marquez Follows Pacquiao to the Heart of the Philippines

It’s no secret how badly Juan Manuel Marquez was pining for a matchup with Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao ever since they last met inside the squared circle nearly 3 years ago. When Pacquiao escaped with a narrow split decision victory in their 2nd fight, team Marquez were instigators of an immediate rematch and despite the fight being razor thin close, were never able to get Pacquiao to agree. Pacquiao would then move on to greater things after that fight, regardless of the manner they were able to secure a victory against their Mexican adversary.

At the time, and no matter what anybody else says, and I hate to say this but it’s somewhat true, Pacquiao may have unintentionally ‘ducked’ a rubbermatch with Juan Manuel Marquez. Now I don’t believe it had much to do with Pacquiao himself as much as it had to do with his promoter Bob Arum who at that particular moment in the Pacman’s young career did everything humanly possible to protect his cash cow. Turned out to be a great move on their part business-wise both for Top Rank and for Pacquiao’s career as we probably wouldn’t be where we are at now had the two met for a third stanza immediately after their second.

Marquez had a reason he wanted a third fight, his claim that the decision went to the wrong man in their rematch was an extremely strong argument. In fact, Marquez believed so much that he could finally beat Pacquiao should they ever meet again that he literally followed Pacquiao to the Philippines and with all intents and purposes demanded Pacquiao for a rematch.

He basically came onto Philippine soil, with all its world-famous hospitality, into hostile territory to personally ask Pacquiao to consider another fight. Pacquiao had none of it. He dismissed the idea of a third fight and claimed that he had proven what he needed to prove against Marquez and that their business was done and finished with. Marquez obviously didn’t share his sentiments and local media outlets here in the Philippines had a field day. Marquez would even go so far as guesting on popular local Philippine television afternoon talk shows. To this day it’s something that I just can’t quite get a grasp on, Marquez was basically on his knees begging for a rematch but was never granted one.

Fast forward to present day, we find ourselves in a familiar place yet in a different situation. Marquez is 3 years older though in Boxing-years it could be closer to 6, and Pacquiao is 3 years wiser. On Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at the Quirino Grandstand the first leg of the Pacquiao-Marquez 3 World Tour will kick off deep in the heart of the Philippines. Juan Manuel Marquez makes his return to the land of the far east, and this time people actually know who he is. An estimated 50,000-60,000 spectators are expected to attend the festivities which feature cultural activities surrounding a hyped up meeting between the two.

After three long years of waiting Marquez finally gets his wish. Now it’s time for him to prove that all those wars he’s been in since then with Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis and Joel Casamayor has given him what he needs to beat Pacquiao once and for all. No more gossip show appearances, no more dramas. And though it’s dressed in elaborate representations of what will take place on November 12th, Marquez knows in the back of his mind that it’s time to dance with the Pacquiao once again, a dance he’s rehearsed so many times in his head for the past few years.

For Marquez it’s all very simple. It’s time to put up, or shut up. The Pacman awaits.

The Pacquiao-Marquez 3 World Tour Philippine Leg is brought to you by Solar Sports and is free and open to the general public. See you all at Quirino Grandstand.

Source: fightcardboxing.net