Juan Manuel Marquez is hoping the fourth time is the charm. He is set to take on Manny Pacquiao on December 8 after coming away with a draw and two losses in their previous bouts.
The site is the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and these two men hope to deliver a show half as good as the ones they have already treated the boxing world to. The event begins at 9 p.m. ET and will be shown exclusively on HBO Pay Per View.
Here are the particulars for the epic fourth match up and under card:
Tale of the Tape (per Boxrec.com)
Manny Pacquiao 54-4-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 33
Stance: southpaw
Height: 5’6.5”
Reach: 67”
Nickname: Pac Man
Country: Phillipines
Residence: General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Phillipines
Juan Manuel Marquez 54-6-1 (39 KOs)
Age: 39
Stance: orthodox
Height: 5’7”
Reach: 67”
Nickname: Dinamita (Dynamite)
Country: Mexico
Residence: Anaheim, Calif. USA
Pacquiao's Strategy
These two men know each other as well as any two fighters. Pacquiao is saying that he'll unveil a new style to befuddle Marquez, per Boxing News 24, but I anticipate the action and competition will take him back to what he knows best: brawling.
He is a quicker and more athletic fighter, but it is not in his nature to be elusive. If he resisted the urge to brawl, he could probably win an easier decision, or even earn a late stoppage.
Marquez Strategy
What can Marquez really do different in this fight?
He's a notorious counter-puncher and that is part of what makes him such a tough out for Pacquiao. Still, he has yet to earn a victory in this saga. The burden of change falls more squarely on him.
Body-punching is something he's lost track of in the previous fights. Erik Morales used that strategy to help him when he beat Pacquiao in 2005. Marquez would be wise to employ this approach as well.
Pacquiao has a great chin and remarkable recovery power, but testing his stamina with body-punching is a great way to wear him down.
What People Are Saying
Wouldn't be suprised to see #Marquez win by stoppage.. #PacJMM4..
— Hasim Rahman Jr.(@HasimSharifJr) December 5, 2012
@mettaworldpeace on #Pacquiao/#Marquez: I think Marquez is gonna win
— ESPNLA 710 Radio (@ESPNLA710) November 29, 2012
#BrandonRios giving the slight edge to #pacquiao translation #PayDay $$$$ instagr.am/p/S3vmP5OLLy/
— King J (@KingJ323) December 5, 2012
Undercard
The Return of Gamboa
WBA Super Featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa will battle Michael Farenas. Gamboa has been out of action for more than a year, but he returns to the ring looking to take his career to the next level with 50 Cent as his promoter.
Farenas is no push-over.
The 28-year-old Filipino is tough and he has an impressive 61 percent KO percentage. This should be entertaining, even though Gamboa's speed will likely be the difference in the fight.
Snookie's Guy is Ready to Scrap
Unbeaten Javier Fortuna will take on the Snookie-promoted Patrick Hyland from Ireland for the interim WBA featherweight title. Yes, that's Snookie from Jersey Shore, and yes she is promoting real fighters.
Hyland isn't a bum, but Fortuna does represent a significant step up in competition. The 23-year-old Fortuna is 20-0 with 15 KOs and he looks to become a major player in the featherweight division.
Vazquez and Gesta Looking For Bigger Fish
A guy I really like is IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez. He's defending his title against Mercito Gesta. Both fighters have had their share of success at 135 pounds, but Vazquez's career has really taken off in the last three years.
He's 32-3 with 13 KOs. He doesn't pack a major punch, but his 5'10" height is a rarity at lightweight. He really gained momentum when he earned a split decision win over veteran Breidis Prescott in 2009.
He won the title in January, and this will be his third defense of the year.
Gesta is a great challenge for him. He's a heavy puncher, but like most of Vazquez's opponents, he's giving up some height. The 25-year-old is 26-0 with 14 KOs in his nine-year career.
The winner of this fight may be in line to challenge Adrien Broner in the near future.
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