Who won Pacquiao-Marquez I & II?

De la Hoya said: "I don't care, Marquez beat Pacquiao twice," as quoted by Mark Vester on boxingscene.com.

The hotly debated Pacquiao-Marquez fights ended in controversial decisions that left many boxing fans hanging and begging for at least one more. Different opinions have surrounded these two elite pugilists. Just like the end result of both fights, discussions ended in either a draw or a split decision that go either way.

The question remains: who really won?


Money Pacquiao: fighters line up for a fat paycheck
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In 2003, a new and young featherweight champion from the Philippines had emerged and had started to make a name in the biggest boxing playground known as the United States. A name he made so well, the audience started to call him Pacman. Though Pacquiao's first appearance in the U.S. took place two years earlier, it wasn't until the huge demolition of legendary Mexican featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera that our very own Pacman was really able to catch the public eye. Not only was it the first time that the Baby Face Assassin has been stopped, it was totally an unexpected brutal defeat.


Marquez: looking for the third opportunity
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Coming off the merciless assassination of Barrera, Manny's next coffee date is with another tough mexican cookie Juan Manuel Marquez. JMM has long been in the shadows of two other great Mexican boxers of his time, Erik Morales and Barrera. To face Manny is JMM's dream come true for he now has a chance to become the new Mexican Hero.

PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ I

Pacman and JMM square off May 8, 2004. No need to stress. I know you watched it. Just the key events:

First round, Manny knocks down JMM three times. It was a grueling night for Manny and Juany Manuely. JMM won the majority of the remaining rounds. Who would have thought it would go the distance after Manny's three goodnight kisses from the opening bell failed to send JMM to early slumber? Marquez's valiant effort is one for the ages and would certainly go down as one of the greatest comebacks. In the end, a draw was the verdict. A crucial error in scoring made this happen since one of the judges scored the first round 10-7 instead of 10-6 with the three knockdowns for Pacquiao. Marquez stole a draw. It's unfortunate there is no way anything can be done after a decision has been made.

PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ II

The second face-off is perhaps a little harder to judge but easier to summarize.

It was a close match wherein Pacquiao floored Marquez in the third. The definitive third round knockdown is what made Pacquiao the winner. Remember, JMM's counterpunching style is the least Manny could have or ever wanted. But Manny played JMM's game and still managed to make a fight while Marquez seemed unable to deliver a knockout punch. In basketball language, Manny is the fastbreaking, run-and-gun team. JMM is the deliberate, halfcourt team. JMM is successful in slowing down the game to facilitate his style of boxing while disrupting Manny's, yet Pacquiao sealed it.

For me, Manny won both fights. Although it would be much interesting to see a more convincing win. Perhaps a trilogy is just around the corner. As Bob Arum had mentioned, let it cook for a while.