Last Saturday's clash between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as FightHype's exclusive interview with Floyd Mayweather, sparked a ton of reaction, both good and bad, from fans and media alike regarding the controversial decision and how it impacts a mega-fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. The emails have not stopped pouring in since the conclusion of the November 12 bout. Although I don't have all the answers, I do have an opinion, so check out what I had to say to inquiring minds who are buzzing about Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather.
What up Ben, how r u bro? Can u believe that fight, it was a true battle of Brawler vs Boxer. From a fighters point of view I say Marquez landed the cleaner more boxing type of punches but from a judges point of view, I would say that it was a draw. They had no right to give Pacquiao a majority decision over JMM but u and I both know they did that so Pac could fight Mayweather, who is in my opinion the best Boxer-Counter puncher I've ever seen. Pac struggled very hard on a 38 year old, small JMM, so what happens when he fights a big, young, strong Floyd Mayweather Jr LOL... I just had to get that off my chest and u guys at FightHype r the only ones who Appreciate, keep it real and know boxing like me... Hit me back to let me know how u feel about it bro... - Dwight
BT: What's up Dwight? Once again, it was a close fight. Personally, I thought Marquez won. I don't necessarily have a problem with someone saying Pacquiao won, but in my opinion, that's a much more difficult argument than it is to say Marquez won. Like you said, Marquez was landing the cleaner shots, which I thought was pretty clear every time Pacquiao's head would snap back. It probably should have been scored a draw, but if anyone deserved the nod on the scorecards, it was Marquez. What happens if Pacquiao fights Mayweather? Well, I think we just saw it. It's like the old saying goes, styles make fights, and judging from Pacquiao's performance against Marquez, and to some extent his struggles with finishing off Shane Mosley, it looks like he has yet to figure out a technical boxer who shows him some movement while counter-punching. If he was frustrated with what Marquez was doing, just imagine what will happen when has to deal with everything, as well as the defense, that Mayweather brings. It could be ugly. That being said, Marquez also had the luxury of being in the ring with Pacquiao two times previously, which was a tremendous advantage. This is boxing and all it takes is one punch, so maybe, just maybe Pacquiao can catch Mayweather with something. I highly, HIGHLY doubt it though.
DUUUUUDE! what is wrong with people and why do they put so little importance on getting what they pay for? better question: why aren't they pissed off with bob arum's talks of a pacman/dina mita IV and how many ppv records it'll potentially set? so as fans we should be more concerned with how much the promoter or fighter will make as opposed to how satisfied we'll be with the product we bought? so does he not hear the outrage from the fans who paid to see a good contest and a fair decision from the judges but feel they were cheated? who wants to see their favorite fighter gifted a win he didn't earn or worse, see their favorite fighter robbed because the other fighter was more popular with the promoter or more commercially marketable? all parties involved are undoubtedly rich but the difference between the promoters and the fighters is the fighters are in it for the glory and the honor whereas the promoters is obviously only in it for the money. - Kahlil
BT: What's wrong with people? Brother, your guess is as good as mine. You know, this time last year, prior to Shane Mosley being officially announced as Pacquiao's next opponent, Bob Arum made another famous quote. "The bottom line, it's all about the Benjamins," he would tell Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. I think that quote pretty much sums up the reason why Bob Arum has no problems with passing on Mayweather in favor of a fourth fight with Marquez. From what I hear, Pacquiao vs. Marquez III did great pay-per-view numbers, upwards of 1.5 million, and may even surpass Mayweather vs. Ortiz as the second highest grossing non-heavyweight pay-per-view fight. That's a whole lot of mula. No, not as much as Mayweather vs. Pacquiao would generate, but when you're the sole promoter and don't have to share the profits with anyone, not to mention you're getting 30% from two fighters instead of just one, chances are, you're walking away feeling pretty good about the event. Plus, a source once said to me that Bob Arum told them, "I walk in with the champion and I walk out with the champion." That's the type of ol' school mentality that made both Arum and Don King the top promoters in the sport. When it comes to boxing, Bob Arum's not an idiot. He's seen enough talent from all-time greats to know that styles make fights, and given Pacquiao's struggles with Marquez, I'm sure Arum is very concerned that Mayweather will defeat his golden goose. If anyone is going to beat Pacquiao, Arum's going to want it to be one of his guys, not Mayweather.
Big Ben, I see you big homie. Man, Pacquiao got expose Saturday night and I know the intelligent Bob Arum will use his intellect and keep Pacquiao from getting totally embarass by Floyd. I can't wait to read what Floyd has to say and very pleased to hear he's ready to get back in the ring. Marquez got robbed clearly and shit like that is what's going to hurt boxing. - Game
BT: I wouldn't necessarily say that Pacquiao himself got exposed. More than anything, the careful matchmaking that they've doing for him is what's been exposed. As long as Pacquiao has a guy coming right at him, he's still going to look spectacular due to his hand speed and ability to punch at different angles. However, when Pacquiao is forced to think, like he was against Marquez, he's going to have problems, particularly if he has to initiate the action and is getting countered in the process. I don't think Saturday's fight was a robbery simply because there actually were a lot of close rounds, and when you have three judges viewing the fight from different angles, any one of those rounds could have gone either way. That being said, I still don't see how 2 out of the 3 judges thought Pacquiao deserved the nod, particularly judge Glenn Trowbridge, who scored it 116-112, or 8 rounds to 4, for Pacquiao. 8 rounds for Pacquiao? Seriously? Come on, man!
BT I have to say this is a real downer of a story to read. Disappointing to say the least. After watching that fight, it kinda reminded me of the De La Hoya/Trinidad fight, where you saw one fighter give his opponent a thorough boxing lesson only to cruise the last 3 rounds and lose a decision. Difference here was Marquez didn't cruise, he fought to the end. Trinidad went on to fight B Hop, got outboxed again and eventually finished. I was really thinking mayweather could've done the same thing to pacquiao in a similar way...Now who knows if we'll ever get the chance to see that? - Immanuel
BT: Immanuel, I don't really remember De La Hoya vs. Trinidad having as many close rounds as this fight, but I get what you're saying. I thought Marquez was pretty much doing whatever he wanted to do, even putting Pacquiao in some bad spots at times. If he would've pressed the issue a little bit more at times, I think he could have and would have made a much more definitive statement. Unfortunately, I think because they already faced each other two times before, both of them we're being a little overly cautious and showing respect to each other, not wanting to make that mistake that might cost them the fight. Still though, I thought Marquez had built up a good enough lead to where he could afford to play it safe and coast in the last round. I guess I, as well as his trainer, were wrong in the eyes of the judges. As for Mayweather, I think the writing is on the wall, not because he easily defeated Marquez, but simply because styles make fights. Regardless of what happened on Saturday though, I don't think that will have any impact on Bob Arum's plans.
Just heard a clip of Mayweather on radio saying he is fighting in February for sure. Even said he was about to start his training camp. What's the story?
BT: You must have missed him saying that on FightHype prior to the radio interview coming out. I think Mayweather is simply saying that he would love to fight in February, if possible, but if not, then he'll be back in May. Translation: expect Mayweather back in May. As far as I know, he's still busy doing his Victory Tour. In fact, I believe he's scheduled to make some club appearances in Detroit some time in December. I highly doubt he's going to be back in camp and ready to fight by February. Besides, Mayweather himself will tell you that it takes 5-6 months to put together a pay-per-view event. That doesn't really give him a lot of time if he's truly fighting in February.
Hi Ben, Long time reader of FightHype and loving your exclusives on Floyd. Lots of controversy surrounding the Pacquiao fight this past Saturday night, and I just wanted to get your take on it. I had Marquez winning the fight by 3 rounds and thought that at the beginning of the 12th Manny needed a knockout. At the end Pacquiao looked a beaten man and call me a cynic but was this a decision just to keep Mayweather vs Pacquaio alive?? Thanks for reading, Wayne
BT: Thanks for the support Wayne. I definitely had Marquez winning. A close fight, maybe a draw, but if anyone deserved the win, it was DEFINITELY Marquez, not Pacquiao. I think the look on Pacquiao's face at the end of the fight said it all. I really don't think this had anything to do with keeping a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight alive. I mean, Bob Arum doesn't want to make that fight anyway, so he could care less about keeping it alive. If anything, I think the decision speaks more about the 90-year-old blind judges they have scoring these fights. As Mayweather once said, out with the old and in with the new. It's time to get younger judges in there who can pay much closer attention as opposed to guys who doze off if there's a lull in the action.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]