AFTER the California State Athletic Commission denied Antonio Margarito's boxing license application, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya called out for a third match between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. He insisted that a complete trilogy between Pacquiao and Marquez is what the fans really deserve to watch and not a fight with Margacheato.
Marquez has not changed his point of view on his last two fights with the pound for pound king. He believes he won the two fights and was just robbed of a fair decision. JuanMa has been crying like a baby about him being the better fighter than the fighting pride of the Philippines. He made a statement that he can beat Pacquiao at any weight division they can fight.
From an objective point of view, I strongly believe that Marquez was so far the most competitive opposition Pacman has ever faced. His counterpunching prowess has been effective in negating the aggressiveness of Pacquiao. But one thing was clear in those two fights; Marquez does not have the power to knock Pacquiao down. Pacquiao on the other hand has toyed him and made him kiss the canvass a hell lot of times in their two fights. Facing Pacquiao at 130 Lbs will still be competitive in a way. But moving up and facing him at Welterweight will be total suicide for the ageing Mexican.
The welterweight Manny Pacquiao is not the same animal that Marquez has faced at junior lightweight. Marquez fought the Tazmanian devil before. Right now he will be facing the Kraken. Pacquiao is in his prime while Marquez is coping up with Father Time. He may have the same talent but such won't be enough for the new improved version of Pacquiao.
For him to qualify as a contender for Pacquiao he must undergo several tests. First, he can request his promoter De la Hoya to unretired and fight him at the same catch weight during the "Dream Match". If he knocks out the Golden Boy, then he can fight and try to knock out Hatton in the early rounds or even dominate him via UD. If he succeeds then can fight Cotto and proceed to Clottey is he survives. If he is still alive after those fights, then a fight with Pacquiao will be a guaranteed PPV blockbuster even bigger than a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.
Exaggeration is sometimes a useful element in literature. I don't intend to demean Marquez nor insult his boxing skills. But he needs to wake up and accept the fact that in boxing, there is always someone out there who is better than you. Pacquiao is not the best match for him this time. Seriously, I believe he can try fighting the big little guys at 140 lbs. The hottest match would be a fight with Amir Khan or a date with Timothy Bradley. After that, then he can fight a good name at welter and probably get his death wish to fight Manny Pacquiao. That would be a graceful way to retirement.