Juan Manuel Marquez contemplates retirement after being “robbed” of a victory against Manny Pacquiao last Saturday night in Las Vegas
By Steve Galindo III
LAS VEGAS – I always knew that the whole world wanted to see a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. but it became quite apparent last Saturday night that nobody wants to see that fight transpire more than Dave Moretti and Glenn Trowbridge-the two judges that ludicrously awarded a majority-decision victory to Manny Pacquiao over Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden. Despite the efforts of the two disgraced judges, we may instead see a fourth installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez saga long before we ever see the much talked about bout between Pacquiao and Mayweather.
At 38, Juan Manuel Marquez gave the finest performance of his 18 year career. The Mexican, whom was deemed as “old” and “washed up” before the fight frustrated his younger, and much faster opponent while dictating the flow of the fight. The 9-1 underdog matched the best fighter in the world tit-for-tat and offset Pacquiao’s blazing speed with timely counter-punching- landing a higher percentage of total punches than his Filipino rival. And, yet, it wasn’t enough (at least in the eyes of the two judges which scored the bout 115-113 and 116-112 for Pacquiao the third scored the bout a draw) for Marquez to wrest the WBO Welterweight title away from the tiny 28″ waist of the champion. “I’m happy with the performance that I gave” a dejected Marquez said afterwards. “We prepared ourselves well for this fight. For the third time we felt that we won and for the third time we were robbed. I’m going to take some time off. I’m going to talk to my team and to my family and see if we continue in this sport or if I hang up the gloves.”
Distraught and visibly shaken, Marquez’ longtime hall of fame trainer Ignacio Beristain also expressed frustration with the contentious decision. “I’m very sad,” Beristain said. “The decision was a joke for boxing, a joke for Pacquiao, and a joke for the true winner Juan Manuel Marquez. It makes me sad to see where boxing is heading. The sport loses a lot of credibility and the people here that saw Juan as the winner perhaps they’ll not want to buy any more fights or buy a ticket for a fourth fight- I’m very frustrated.”
The silver lining in all of this for Marquez is that in losing the Welterweight title in another controversial decision, Dinamita, at least on this night took the title of “The People’s Champ” away from the genial Filipino. Instead of receiving accolades for his 54th career victory, Pacquiao was instead the focus of frustration for the 16,368 fans in attendance. When the decision was read the pro-Marquez crowd who just seconds earlier were heard chanting “Si Se Pudo,” “Si Se Pudo,” unleashed a flurry of their own. Instead of jabs and uppercuts their flurry involved hurling water bottles and 24 oz. red plastic Tecate cups in the Congressman’s direction. Pacquiao held his head down as if to say to himself “And I thought politics was tough.” Perhaps the angry crowd still harbored feelings from Marquez controversial loss to Pacquiao three years prior. Perhaps the loyal fight fans were tired of a string of bad decisions that have marred the sport this year. Whatever the reason- the scene resembled an Occupy protest with boxing fans representing the 99% and Pacquiao representing boxing’s big business.
Basking in all the post-fight revelry was Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who was already trying to set-up a fourth fight just minutes of the decision being read. “I’m bound and determined to have these two fight once and for all in a decisive fight,” said the legendary promoter. “I had Manny winning this fight, some people particularly Mexicans had Marquez ahead. I’m going to talk to Manny and I’m going to talk to Juan Manuel and maybe we’ll do it again in May. If we do it again, it’s going to break all monetary records for pay-per-view.”
When asked of a potential fourth fight, Marquez hesitated “All the people saw- all the people know and what else can I do,” a dejected Marquez said. “I think that even if I did knock him down they would just pick him right back up and give him the fight. I think that’s what they would do. This one hurts a lot, I’m very frustrated.’ If there ever is a fourth fight between the two, maybe Marquez should suggest that it take place in Mexico with Mexican judges not named Moretti or Trowbridge. Maybe then he can finally get a fair shake.
Pacquiao-Marquez III breaks record in Mexico
More than 40 million people tuned into the fight in Mexico making it the highest rated boxing event in the Country’s history.
Tijuana’s Burgos shines on Pacquiao-Marquez undercard
Juan Carlos Burgos, who is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions, scored the biggest win of his career last Saturday night, a 10 round decision against previously undefeated prospect Luis Cruz. Banner Promotions president Art Pelullo said, “I congratulate Juan Carlos Burgos on his big win. It was a very important fight, a high-profile co-featured bout on the Pacquiao-Marquez card, and he rose to the occasion and gave a sensational performance. Luis Cruz was undefeated at 19-0 and ranked IBF No. 3, WBC No. 4, and WBC No. 6. A lot of people considered him the favorite to win, but they obviously underestimated Juan Carlos. “Juan Carlos is only 23 years old, but he proved that he is a top featherweight contender last year in a very close decision loss – and a great fight – against Hozumi Hasegawa, who has been one of the most dominant world champions in recent years. On Saturday night, Juan proved it again.” After arriving home in Tijuana on Monday, Juan Carlos said, “I never bought into the idea that I was the underdog for this fight. I went 12 hard rounds against Hasegawa last November and I was confident as I prepared for Cruz. I have vindicated myself from that loss and I know I have a lot ahead of myself, but for now I will rest and enjoy this moment with my girlfriend and family. But I will very soon be a world champion. I work very hard to achieve that dream.” Now 28-1 with 19 knockouts, Juan Carlos is currently ranked No. 5 by the WBC at 126 pounds.