A simple yes or no, with reasoning as you please, as you like, gents. Just a real-world discussion I was having with my brother-in-law I'd like to bring to the forum. My contention is yes, he has. I thought the first fight was a close, but definitively clear, Pacquiao victory. I was never happier than when they read out the verdict for that fight, because I knew Marquez had fallen (albeit heroically) short. It was Pacquiao by three points in two subsequent scorings (& no doubt, I scored round 1 10-6 for the incumbent Champion), so I do feel that Pacquiao, in that first meeting, secured a clear victory over Marquez --- something many people (bro-in-law among them) will argue against. The second fight, I know this may come across to some as sour grapes, but I do feel cynical about the outcome. Pacquiao has always been the more popular fighter of the pair, & we know how that can shade officiating in this sport. I know it sounds poor, but I just cannot shake the feeling a very close fight was always, always going to be used to propel Pacquiao's popularity & momentum in the sport further (reminiscent of a burgeoning De La Hoya receiving close calls against both Whitaker & Quartey). I wouldn't for a minute suggest a card in Pacquiao's favour for that fight was unreasonable, but...
I thought he won the 1st and lost the 2nd and since this is in the MM section I will just add my thoughts on a 3rd fight which Marquez gets blitzed early and loses
I agree with you, Ramone. Pacquiao/Marquez was a very, very clear Pacquiao win. There was nothing clear about the rematch. It really depends what you like, I wouldn't sit here bitching either way. It really annoys me when Marquez fans cry robbery, simply because they scored the fight in his favour. It was just one of those fights.
I say no. Clear on the scorecards? Perhaps, but that depends on how you scored it obviously. Still after 24 rounds they're very very close. To beat somebody convincingly, there has to be no room for doubt. I guess i'm looking at it a bit differently but there's more to me than just adding up the rounds and deductions. Of course that's how things are scored, but doesn't tell the whole story. Pacquiao is by far the greater fighter, but when it comes to Marquez head to head there's only but a few cunt hairs separating them.
i thought the first one could've gone either way but i thought pac won when i watched it live. i've seen it a few more times and thought it could've been a draw or a point win for marquez. the rematch was competitive, but i had marquez winning 8 rounds.
The first one I scored for Manny, the second for JMM and both by a point. in any event, neither fight was especially convincing, so the answer for me is 'nope'. MTF
