A BOB ARUM - BOX OFFICE SMASH
Juan Manuel Marquez stayed at featherweight for the following three years. After winning four of five fights (he lost to Chris John in 2006), Marquez moved up to junior lightweight and defeated Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera to claim a title. During the three year following the first bout Pacquiao also moved up to 130 pounds and stared in a classic trilogy with Erick Morales winning two of their three meetings (both by knockout). He also defeated Barrera in a rematch to set up his second meeting with Marquez.
Now March 15th 2008 the sequel was set! Fought with the same ferocity, Manny - Marquez 2 only difference was a new twist for an ending. Marquez rocked Manny with a hammer of a left hook in the second with Manny answering the blow by knocking the Mexican down in the third just 20 seconds from the end with a thunderous left. By the 8th Pac man had been repaid with a cut under his right eye!, this would be Marquez's best period of the fight. The final four rounds were very hard to call as both warriors went blow for blow with each having exciting spells. Just as in the first bout the judges differed.
•115-112 for Pacquiao
•115-112 for Marquez
•114-113 Pacquiao
The third round knockdown had cost Marquez the fight being scored 10-8 the winner by split decision: Manny Pacquiao.
No knockdowns where to happen in the third battle and the early rounds started slowly as both fighter felt each other out. Both Marquez an Manny picked up the pace in their selves round being far more aggressive , Marquez landed big power punches as Pac man was content to more around the ring with his fade feet and use his lightning fist throwing scoring punches. At the end of round ten Trainer Nacho Beristain told Marquez that he was winning so the Mexican was content to turn down his aggression and finish the last two rounds with out conceding a knockdown. This aloud Manny to take the last two rounds and the fight! As Manny was proclaimed the winner Marquez storm out of the area, both he and Nacho Beristain have always believed that they won all three bouts Nacho stating after the third fight
"In the 52 years that I've been in boxing, I've never seen a robbery like this. The three judges who issued the results are unworthy of being in this sport. We are studying the possibility that through our lawyers we are going to file a complaint with the court against the three judges, with the intention that they be separated from boxing for life. And also to explore the possibility that the same court could overturn the result. I think there is enough evidence to win the case."
This bold statement never came to past.