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10th December 2022
By: Rich Lopez
The Punch Heard Around the World: The 10 Year Anniversary of Juan Manuel Marquez’s Knockout of Manny Pacquiao
This past weekend we witnessed possibly the end of one of the greatest boxing rivalries of all time between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. The rivalry sizes up with others from the past such as: Robinson/LaMotta, Pep/Saddler, Graziano/Zale, Ali/Frazier, Limon/Chacon, Holyfield/Bowe, Barrera/Morales and Gatti/Ward, just to name a few. Another rivalry which is the subject here focuses on the fourth installment of Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez vs Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao. The fourth fight which is the best of their series is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. Here’s a look back at the buildup and a look at one of the greatest fights of all time that ended in stunning fashion.
History of Prior Fights:
Juan Manuel Marquez D12 Manny Pacquiao, May 8, 2004, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada:
The first battle took place at the featherweight division as Marquez was defending his IBF and WBA Featherweight titles and Pacquiao was defending the Lineal title. The fight was a war and both fighters fought viciously for 12 rounds. Then came the controversy. The fight was ruled a split draw and both fighters retained their titles. The judge’s scores were 115-110 for Marquez, 115-110 for Pacquiao and 113-113 a draw. This fight was almost a loss for Marquez. Judge Burt Clements who had the fight a draw
scored the first round 10-7 in favor of Pacquiao. However, the round should have been scored 10-6 as Marquez was dropped three times in that round. The three knockdowns against Marquez in the first round is what made the fight close but if there were no knockdowns, the fight would have been a clear win for Marquez. However, many ringside observers were split on who won the fight and an immediate rematch was being called for. Unfortunately, these two would not meet until almost four years later.
Manny Pacquiao SD12 Juan Manuel Marquez, March 15, 2008, Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas,
Nevada:
Marquez and Pacquiao finally met in their rematch. This time Pacquiao was the slight favorite going into the fight as he was a better fighter now. Also, the fight was fought at super featherweight and Marquez was defending the WBC Super Featherweight title. The Lineal title was on the line as well. Both fighters once again delivered and provided an action-packed fight. At the end, Pacquiao would win a close decision. Marquez would get dropped in the third round which was the deciding factor in the fight
according to the judge’s scorecards. The judge’s scores were 115-112 for Marquez, 115-112 for Pacquiao and 114-113 for Pacquiao. If the knockdown didn’t happen the 114-113 scorecard would have been even at 113-113. Fans and boxing insiders were once again split on who won the fight. The rematch was dubbed as “Unfinished Business” and at the end there was still unfinished business.
Manny Pacquiao MD12 Juan Manuel Marquez, November 12, 2011, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada:
After about three years and half since their second fight, Marquez and Pacquiao met for the rubber match. This time the fight was at welterweight and for Pacquiao’s WBO World Welterweight Title. This time Pacquiao was a huge favorite going into the fight as his stock had risen to high levels. Also, many boxing insiders felt that Marquez was older and in decline. Most of the boxing insiders were picking Pacquiao to stop Marquez. However, once these two met again, it was another competitive fight ending
with controversy again. This time there were no knockdowns in the fight. Marquez fought better and most people believed he won the fight. The judge’s scores once again went against Marquez. The scorecards were 115-113 for Pacquiao, 116-112 for Pacquiao and 114-114 a draw. To say the fight was robbery was a stretch but a clear win for Marquez is fair. The decision left everyone frustrated. Pacquiao looked shocked that he could not beat his arch nemesis clearly. Marquez seemed fed up with the
decisions and boxing period.
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The Fight:
It did not take long for these two to meet for a fourth time as there was no clear winner between the two fighters. At that time, a rematch was in the works for Manny Pacquiao to fight Timothy Bradley in late 2012. The fight didn’t happen as it seemed that it was going to be a hard sell. Pacquiao was clearly robbed in the first Bradley fight earlier in 2012. At the post fight conference, a billboard was already made that the rematch was taking place. Either way nobody was buying it and they had to go to a fight
that would sell which is why we got the fourth installment of Marquez and Pacquiao. At first, the fourth fight was heavily criticized and many fans were tired of seeing it. It seemed it didn’t matter how many times these guys fight, it would be the same result. Another close fight with a controversial decision. It didn’t matter though, Pacquiao needed to fight someone that would sell and Marquez was the right dancing partner once again. Marquez wanted to get an official win over Pacquiao and Pacquiao wanted
a win without any controversy.
Like their third fight, their fourth fight took place once again at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 8, 2012. The fight was televised on HBO PPV. The fight was once again contested at welterweight but with no belts at stake. Marquez came in with a record of 56-4-1 (39 KO’s) and Pacquiao came in with a record of 54-4-2 (38 KO’s). All their previous fights were good but this fight exceeded them all. The energy at the MGM Grand was electric with many fans supporting both fighters. Both fighters stated before the bout that they wanted to be more aggressive in the fight and both of them displayed it that night. As the fight began, it was noticeable that Pacquiao was more aggressive than usual. Even though it was a feel out round in the first round, Pacquiao was more aggressive and he edged out the round. The fight started to heat up in the second round. Pacquiao continued to be aggressive and was landing straight left hands on Marquez. Marquez landed his usual counter shots as well. A closer round but a round that Pacquiao won. The fight would then turn into a firefight. Half way through the third round, Marquez would land an overhand right that landed squared on Pacquiao’s chin. Pacquiao went down from the punch and Marquez finally scored a knockdown on Pacquiao from their series of fights. Pacquiao was able to get up and towards the end of the round both fighters exchanged punches furiously. The intensity continued in the fourth round. Pacquiao recovered but Marquez was more effective with counter punches in the round.
Another shift of events would happen in the fifth round. Almost halfway in the round, Pacquiao landed a straight left hand that dropped Marquez. Even though Marquez was more off balanced a punch landed and it was counted as a knockdown. Marquez
decided to go fire with fire with Pacquiao. Marquez managed to land a hard right hand on Pacquiao but Pacquiao took it well. Both fighters started brawling and then Pacquiao landed a hard right hand that stunned Marquez. Marquez was clearly hurt and Pacquiao went for the finish. A badly hurt Marquez fought his heart out while Pacquiao was landing killer shots on Marquez. A bloodied Marquez managed to finish the round. The round went to Pacquiao. Then the sixth round happened. Pacquiao was having his way in the round as Marquez was trying to recover. As the round was about to end, Marquez landed a beautiful right hand flush on the chin of Pacquiao. Pacquiao darted in recklessly with his hands down and got caught. Pacquiao went down face first and was knocked out cold.
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It was the punch heard around world. It sent shockwaves through the boxing community. Pacquiao was knocked out for a good minute and good thing he was able to wake up from it. It was a truly a scary knockout. It was an exciting fight that ended in shocking fashion. Marquez finally got the definitive win he was looking for with a KO of Manny Pacquiao at 2:59 of the sixth round. The fight did well on PPV with 1.15 million buys. It seems like yesterday that this fight happened but it has been 10 years now. As of today, it is still one of the most talked about fights of all time. It is truly a classic fight and one for the
ages. The fight had it all. Excitement, intensity and the shock factor, all in one. The fight was awarded as Ring Magazine’s Fight of the Year and of course, the Knockout of the Year. Juan Manuel Marquez was also awarded the Fighter of the Year based on this performance. It also ended the rivalry between Marquez and Pacquiao. A fifth fight was talked about but it never happened. This is not only a celebration of this magnificent fight but a salute to two hall of fame fighters who provided these exciting fights for the fans.
By: Rich Lopez
