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By: Sergio L. Martinez
As December 8, 2012, rapidly approaches, the boxing world is buzzing about what many believe will be final installment of a legendary rivalry when Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez meet for the fourth time, hoping to finally close the book with one final epic battle. It is winner-take-all as both fighters are ready to put everything on the line once again to prove that one is truly better than the other. In a Boxing Insider exclusive, current WBC Featherweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon, undefeated super middleweight contender Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez and top-rated middleweight contender Gabriel “King” Rosado took some time to offer their thoughts on the fight.
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Daniel Ponce de Leon: “It’s a 50/50 fight. I’d obviously like Marquez to win but Manny Pacquiao is a very strong and extremely fast fighter with real power. This fight is really difficult to call as both fighters are very experienced and both are highly skilled. Marquez may be older but he is also stronger, and I believe this could be the fight that he finally knocks out Pacquiao. That is really the only way he will ever get a win against Manny; if Pacquiao wins, it will be by decision. What can I tell you? I really don’t know who will win but I do think that Marquez has a real chance of pulling off the victory. It’s going to be another great fight.”
Edwin “La Bomba” Rodriguez: “It is nearly impossible to pick the winner of this fight. Both fighters are future hall of famers and both are very dangerous. For those reasons I predict a draw.”
Gabriel “King” Rosado: “I’m leaning towards Marquez on this one. This time around, he is going to use his technique and outbox Pacquiao. He is just a more fundamentally-sound fighter that Pacquiao. Manny has lost some pep in his step lately and he is just not the same fighter anymore. Marquez has his number. Pacquiao is still strong but Marquez is a little more explosive at this stage. No one will get knocked out in this fight as both of these guys have great chins. Based on the last few fights, I’m going with Marquez by decision.”
It is sure to be another grueling bout with many momentum changes as both of these legends are well acquainted with the other. After all is said and done, all we can hope for is a clear winner on Saturday night. If Ponce de Leon and Rodriguez are right, we are heading for another inconclusive ending. Should Rosado’s prediction come true, then fans will finally have a clear one for the record books.
