THE GREATEST TRILOGY IN THE MAKING

NEAR DEATH ON THE 6TH FLOORING…?

By DOODS A. AMORA, PEE

THE SIXTH FLOORING

Pacquaio floored Marquez four times in the past.

In this third fight, Juan Manuel Marquez would kiss the floor for the fifth time – and this will happen in the fifth round of this Sunday’s event. Expect Marquez to get up quickly and by sheer pride mix it up more fiercely to get even.

By the sixth round, the pride of Mexico would be floored again – the sixth time around. Marquez would then get up by reflex but only to spastically do the Kentucky Chicken Bambolero. Marquez would quiver in confused vertigo and would fall again to the floor. Tony Weeks then would wield his hands to signal “It’s Over”!

Again, I say; I have seen it in Darchinyan, then Montiel. This time a fake left straight by Pacquiao would entice Marquez to do a tremendous right straight counter shot only to be smashed by an ambushing Manila Ice to the side of the chin.

That’s it, as I’ve seen it in my crystal ball. In the sixth round, the end is near… or a ‘near death’ so to speak. For two minutes, Marquez had to be revived. A worried Medical Team at his side, and like Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez could have not understood why he was in the Wonderland.


SETTLING THE ISSUE

The previous fights revealed the strengths and weaknesses of both warriors. It was clear that the unfinished business in the two previous fights ended up unfinished. My article on the second fight said that Marquez won that episode. I was not alone; the fact many international figures shared the same perception. Even Filipinos Nonito Donaire and Sev Sarmenta (if I still have the memory), two of the three commentators of ABS-CBN team covering the fight had Marquez winning by a squeaker.

Now this third fight becomes personal to both. Both camps prepared for an unforgiving knock-out. And the madness as to who is the better fighter must be settled.

Thus, once and for all, this trilogy must end this insanity. This time there should be a knock – out! Whether Marquez or Pacquaio owns it, it doesn’t matter anyhow, anymore.

That makes this fight very exciting. Both protagonists have the capability of knocking each other out. Pacquaio on paper may be stronger, bigger and faster, but Marquez is the kryptonite of the Filipino Superman. He has the formula to defeat Manny. Marquez in fact is a puzzle that Coach Freddie Roach has to unbundle.

Remember, style wins fights. Style – that’s it, two contrasting styles. That makes the difference.


THE PREVIOUS FIGHTS

I reviewed the second fight and I'm still convinced that Marquez won it. Had it not been for the third round knock down, Manny could not have a justifiable edge in any of the judges’ wits.

Sorry guys but in the previous two fights, Pacquiao against Marquez was too predictable, hittable and one-dimensional. Marquez, the counter-punching expert on the other hand, created opportunities to fit to his advantage – most of the time alluding sideways making Manny miss too many by the hairlines. And when Manny’s one-arm missiles missed, he over-travelled and then Juan Manuel’s counterpunches slung-shot back to swarm Manny’s head and body.

Manny Pacquaio’s style of volume punching somehow negates Marquez’ points but Manny was not really that overwhelming or dominating. Pacquaio (should I say), allowed Juan Manuel to score because he had to shoot his own darts which turned out to become the key to Juan’s chances.


THE STRATEGIES

This still I believe will be Marquez’s fight plan for this Sunday’s fight. Buoyed with some successes in the past experiences, Juan Manuel will elect to do the same strategy. Compared to the other great boxers who looked mediocre against Pacquiao, what made Marquez’ style effective is that he is not afraid to be hit by Pacquiao’s power. Unlike Clottey or Mosley, Juan Manuel is willing to mix it up, ‘no matter what’ – although in the process, got four trips to the canvas.

What Juan lacks is his own power to knock down Pacquaio. And he knew, it is his missing link. He had hit Pacquiao intensely several times in the past, but the Filipino’s head was too hard to crack. Not even Cotto, Margarito, Dela Hoya could do it. Marquez had already the formula to beat Pacquaio, but he needs that much power. That’s why he strived to grow big, strong and powerful. Now he is confident of being big. He had just announced to the world that he will knock-out Pacquaio. Hmmmm…


THE REALITIES

On the other hand, Pacquiao now is no longer one-dimensional. He no longer over-travels when in attacking mode nor clumsy when backpedalling. More in fluidity, he had metamorphosed into a tornado with too many angles to twist instantly at the command of his instincts. Manny now is less hittable, slicker and above all, wiser.

Watch out Juan! With a body now heavier, denser and thicker, Manny had evolved into an Abrams tank. With a new armor, the bombs of Cotto, Clottey and Margarito were just to be swallowed. And the fire power, speed and the new technology of the Abrams Tank - these would become Juan’s biggest headache.


Technology? The technology behind is Roach and Ariza. Coach Freddie surely has now invented new tools, new traps and new surprises. We’ll focus on them comes the fight night.


THE THRILL OF THE FIGHT

What would it be like?

THE FIRST THREE ROUNDS: Expect an intense give and take scenario in the first three rounds. Given the superb conditioning of the two heroes, nobody would budge in these cantos. Pride will be too high a stake. No oozing blood yet, but we will see reddening and swelling of the both faces. These rounds will be hard to score. Let’s just say, a little unbalance to both sides. Score: Pacquaio: 29; Marquez: 28.

THE FOURTH ROUND: In the fourth round, Marquez’ cracks will slowly show. He would recognize by then that his power would not be enough to flatten Pacquaio. Cautious, he will toe the line until the bell rings. Score: Pacquaio: 39; Marquez: 37.

THE FIFTH ROUND: The fifth canto saw Marquez realizing that if the grain of the fight will continue, there’s no way for him to win. So, he would do something different. This time he would force the issue to knock-out Pacquaio. That’s what he is there for. Then, Marquez would go blazing at the sound of the bell. Pacquaio unsuspecting of his foe’s bad intentions would go defensive – backpedalling & absorbing power shots. Pacquaio would be hurt and wobbling on the ropes.

Then, “BUUG’! Marquez down the canvas. “What happened? Ah… a slip in time of a Pacquaio’s awkward but lucky shot. No damage, physically, Shattered Pride? Yes. But No, I’ll get even”. Marquez renewed his onslaught once again – more fiercely this time. The bell rang. But with the knock down, Marquez failed in his 5th round bid. Score: Pacquaio: 49; Marquez: 45.

THE SIXTH ROUND: Ego wounded, Marquez would be constrained to do a “no matter what”. With same intensity he clobbered Pacquaio fearlessly. Manny tagged hard several times in those hail mary’s. Sensing success, Marquez’ onslaughts intensified. Then he saw Manny’s patented left straight – “this is it! This is what I’m rehearsing for!” Then he heaved high, and with all his strength & power, unleashed a right straight to Manny’s face.

What happened? Marquez this time could not even have the luxury of pondering on it. He can do it later.

While his right straight in full thrust was still flying on the air, Marquez was hit by a murderous Manila Ice, the Filipino’s vaunted right hook following a faked left straight. He fell to the canvas – the sixth flooring, in other words.

Then for two minutes, lights went out. Just as Ricky Hatton, he can have his askings later….

Thank Heavens, game over in six rounds!


THE AMBIGUITY

The sixth flooring is just a dream. It is just a vision to express the excitement of the fight. As what I always said, ‘the tension of ambiguity as an element prior to a mega-fight motivates suspense which in turn fires up the imagination’.

Marquez has a much better jab than Pacquaio’s. The Mexican is more accurate in his shots. The left uppercuts and the overhand rights are always hitting targets. Efficiency? Marquez gets the upper hand. Ability to recuperate? Marquez had displayed this quality in two of their fights. Intelligence? Marquez to me is more technical. Discipline? Marquez has a finer ear to listen to his Coach. Technology? There’s Nacho Beristain and Angel Heridia.

So then, the five floorings may be scored by Pacquaio. But the victory this time could be owned by Marquez. Who knows?

What is sure is that the Unfinished Business would now be finished.

See you then on November 13 (Philippine Time).


Doods

11/9/11