Millions of people around the world know how it works, how frustrating it can be. In the 1980’s when the ultra famous video game Pac-Man hit the gaming scene, avid players flooded to the new sensation and spent countless hours and quarters taking control of the Pac-Man creature and chomping away at the attacking ghosts when getting the chance to power up the Pac-Man.
What made the game increasingly difficult to beat in the later levels is that the ghosts became insanely quick and clever; making life hell for Pac-Man as they tried to take him out. Whenever Pac-Man would power up and turn the tables, the ghosts would recover too quickly to exact any revenge of them.
In past three years, Manny “Pac-Man†Pacquiao has “powered up†and has been chasing down and destroying his foes in very explosive and dominating fashion. There is one “ghost†however in the boxing landscape remaining that has haunted him the most and has caused him the most grief. That ghost is none other than his November 12 opponent and lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
What Mr. Marquez has done in his two bouts with Manny have become the highlights of his hall of fame worthy career up to this point; and the thing is that he has not secured a win in either of those fights.
In 2004 Juan courageously got off the deck three times in the first round to astonishingly salvage a draw with Manny and then in 2008 he gave Pacquiao a fight to the death in a disputed split decision loss. The fact that he was able to give Manny so much trouble over 24 back and forth rounds has done wonders to his career and reputation, especially as Manny has gone on to shock the world by moving up in several weight divisions and pound fighters much larger than him into submission.
As Manny became a household name for sports fans everywhere and amassed a fortune for himself, Marquez watched on with dissatisfaction as the man he proved was his equal in the ring grew larger than life in front of his eyes. He then started a campaign that kept his name attached to Pacquiao as Manny grew and grew in stature by wearing shirts such as “I beat Manny Pacquiao twice†and “We were robbedâ€. Marquez also invaded Manny’s homeland of the Philippines and challenged him in front of his fans and countrymen. In addition Marquez went public with his charge that he had been robbed in both fights and appeared on many talk shows stating his case.
These actions by Marquez did not go unnoticed by Manny and the third fight was finally signed. As the bout now looms closer and closer, it is becoming apparent that Pacquiao is indeed taking this matchup very personally and has been reportedly busting up sparring partners in very destructive fashion. Manny himself has stated that he really wants to end all the commotion about any controversially scored matches with Juan and that this is going to no doubt be their last fight. His team have as well stated that they sense Manny is legitimately angry for one of the first times ever going into a fight.
Just for the record, the last time Pacquiao may have been close to this upset was when he squared off with Antonio Margarito. Margarito had seemingly mocked Manny’s trainer Freddie Roach’s symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and many people speculated that Manny went into the fight with a score to settle. The result was brutal punishment being dished out on Antonio for 12 rounds which severely damaged his eye and very nearly ended Antonio’s boxing career.
The question is now this; can the “Pac-Man†finally catch his elusive ghost this time around and be the first to finish off the gutsy Marquez within the scheduled 12 rounds? On HBO’s Face-Off clip, Manny stated that Marquez is without question the toughest opponent he has ever faced. Juan has showed that he knows how to battle Manny and has worked diligently to ensure he carries his power and speed as he moves up to near-welterweight for this all important trilogy fight. Both men seem ready to leave it all in the ring in what will in all likelihood be the last time they see each other in a boxing ring.
Therefore on November 12 it will be seen whether Pac-Man can finally catch his elusive and aggravating ghost or if, just like the countless number of arcade game players in the last thirty years; he will fail to catch and chomp off his slippery, crafty and undeniably sneaky foe.
Though Pacquiao has been able to handle the higher weight class better than Marquez, I think in the end, styles make fights, and while I do favor Pacquiao this time around, I think it may still end up being a pretty competitive fight.
CATCH WEIGHT: let’s settle this weight drained or blown out fighters on fight night, media and fight fans cursing at fighters. catch weights are used to make a fight possible between two fighters at different divisions. the best way to settle this issue is to use the weight at fight night. fights are made on negotiations. let pacman fight martinez at 160 lbs limit for middleweight title at fight night regardless of pacman weight (margarito 168 fight night – pacman 151 for vacant 154 title). this is fair fight (even not) to everybody. can martinez and his handlers accept this. Mr. Igor can you initiate this fight with Mr. M. Marley. This will be pacman’s no. 9. a fair and square fight that no comments will be coming out.
Just to mention the names of Cotto, Clottey, ODLH, Margarito, & Moseley. If
JMM can beat those guy handidly (?), then there is a good match, otherwise this coming fight is useless to most of us who are skeptical.
The Pacman will shut the mouth of that cry baby ghost on november 12. he went to the philippines just to tell everybody who would listen that he was robbed. he disrespected manny in his own turf, luckily for him he didn’t end up floating on the Pasig River.
Here is my take on nov. 12 fight between all time great pacman v. oldy ambitious marquez…This trilogy wil be classical and bloody indeed, for marquez..sad to say.
Moreover, since he wish this fight, he will get what he deserve…brutal punishment from our pinoy great pacman. remember, pacman is very nice guy, but if you mock him, especially in our hometown. saying that u were robbed on those historical two fights…that will be marquez problem…why?because marquez does not know what he is talking about…and our pacman will definitely EAT HIM ALIVE inside the ring come nov.12…why?because marquez talk to much outside the ring. to give you an example, remember margacheato the time he mock fred roach, look what happened to that big guy who talked to much disgracing his master roach. Now, how about today, what is the display of marquez?he is saying that manny robbed him twice? now, you asked to much marquez…so u must do everything you got on training coz on fight night..you will see your very own nightmare..the one you ever dream of…PACMARE everywhere and in everyway..hehehe!!!
Finally, marquez will be floored for good in round seven period. Yes, he will counter and attack manny pacman from first to six rounds but he will be tired soon because of megaspeed and power of two-fisted pacman, who will come in different angle and that will be difficult for marquez and marquez will suffer in every round with frustration but he will fight pacman on toe to toe basis at manny pleasure and timing hehehe.
CATCH WEIGHT: let’s settle this weight drained or blown out fighters on fight night, media and fight fans cursing at fighters. Catch weights are used to make a fight possible between two fighters at different divisions. The best way to settle this issue is to use the weight at fight night. Fights are made on negotiations, let pacman fight martinez at 160 lbs limit for middleweight title at fight night regardless of pacman weight (margarito 168 fight night – pacman 151 for vacant 154 title). To everybody this is fair fight (even not). Can martinez and his handlers accept this. Can anyone initiate this fight. This will be pacman’s no. 9. a fair and square fight that no comments will be coming out.
go manny!!! your country has all the support we will wish you all the best. Ceasefire MILF watch the fight. Observe during day of fight less vehicles on the street, everybody watch the fight.