“ROBBERY” is the call as Pacquiao steals a victory from Marquez again.

“ROBBERY” is the call as Pacquiao steals a victory from Marquez again.

Sunday 13th November

Less then 24 hours ago at the MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas, the world witnessed a crime of epic proportions. The crime was a blatant and audacious act of robbery. The victim Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, the beneficiary Filipino’s Manny Pacquiao.

Just 5 days after the passing of a true legend in the sport of boxing “Smokin” Joe Frazier. Boxing’s legacy (not for the first time) was tainted with controversy. The whole world anticipated this 3rd fight in an epic trilogy between these two great fighters. Although in my eyes this was the least exciting of the 3, Marquez clearly won this. It wasn’t even close.

Its amazing that Marquez has come out with 2 defeats and a draw from the 3 fights. The first fight which ended in a draw I feel Marquez won. It was only a draw because Paquiao knocked Marquez down 3 times in the first round. The 2nd fight which Pacquiao won on a split decision I feel was a draw. I believe they gave it to Pacquiao because he knocked Marquez down in the 3rd round.

This 3rd fight, I have watched twice now and to me was the most clear cut of them all. Marquez fought a great fight, countered Pacquiao at every opportunity and won by at least 3 rounds. I cant even remember seeing Marquez getting hit as clean as he hit Pacquiao. How the hell the 3 judges scored it 114-114, 115, 113 and 116-112 is nothing less than an absolute farce. I mean what fight was they watching?

I remember at the end of the 7th round Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach told him he was down on the cards. Marquez then went on to win at least 3 of the remaining 5 rounds. I was even more amazed when in his post fight interview, amongst the boo’s of the crowd Pacquiao clamed that he “clearly won the fight“.

Manny Pacquiao’s own stable mate Englishman Amir Khan who was commentating on the fight resigned to a Pacquiao defeat at the final bell, saying he “would he happy to fight Marquez”. Quite rightly after the decision, the crowd booed and jeered furiously as highlights of the fight was played out on the big screen. It was no surprise as you could see most of the highlights was of Marquez connecting with Pacquiao.

This was another nail in the coffin for boxing’s reputation and the reason why they are losing fans to the UFC and mixed martial arts. Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter showed he has no class by stating a fourth fight could be on the cards and it will make Marquez a lot of money. This proves to me he knew Pacquiao lost the fight.

This was some sort of crooked political farce to keep the Pacquiao train rolling. Maybe for a Floyd Mayweather fight, maybe for a 4th fight with Marquez. Pacquiao generates a lot of money and media attention for boxing and a defeat to Marquez would have severely dented this.

This whole thing again leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Bob Arum talking about making Marquez very rich with a 4th fight (scant consolation). Pacquiao saying he “clearly won the fight” (cheek). This was another injustice in the sport of boxing due to some very questionable judging. This has happened way to often in boxing and needs to be stopped.

Maybe, the one silver lining is that it could pave the way for a mega multi million pound bout with Floyd Mayweather, probably in May. If this is the case, where as before I was routing for a Mayweather win. Now I am hoping for a Mayweather annihilation to completely destroy Manny Pacquiao and close the book on this once and for all.