• Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez

Pacquiao subdued because of Marquez stomping?

ESPN staff
November 16, 2011
Manny Pacquiao won a majority points decision over Juan Manuel Marquez

Video footage appears to show Juan Manuel Marquez repeatedly stepping on Manny Pacquiao's feet during their fight at the weekend, which may go some way to explaining the latter's subdued performance.

In the third meeting between the pair, Pacquiao earned a majority points decision that was received with disbelief in many quarters - not least in the MGM Grand, the venue for the fight, where fans stayed back to voice their disapproval.

Pacquiao, often discussed as the planet's pound-for-pound king, had been widely tipped to brush aside Marquez in the early rounds - despite both of their previous meetings being extremely close: a narrow Pacquiao win and a draw.

Marquez showed discipline and patience with his work, regularly frustrating Pacquiao's attempts to attack - and landing some clean counter-punches in return. However, Pacquiao's offence was perhaps dulled because, on occasion, his footwork was impeded by Marquez.

Fighters with the orthodox (Marquez) and southpaw (Pacquiao) stances do regularly find their legs entangled, so Pacquiao is likely to have encountered similar trouble before.

The duo are expected to meet for a fourth time next year, providing Marquez does not carry out his threat to retire from boxing. After Saturday's fight, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said: "Marquez is a fight I don't want us to take again. But I think we have to."

Meanwhile, reports suggest there was a rematch clause in the initial contract.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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