Boxing analyst: Pacquiao-Marquez III to end in 8-division champ's favor

An original Team Pacquiao member believes the third, and hopefully final, installment of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez saga will end in a knockout in favor of the reigning pound-for-pound king. "If Manny connects with solid punches, in any round, Marquez will no longer stand up," said veteran boxing analyst Moy Lainez, who together with the late Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar helped Pacquiao evolve into one of the greatest fighters of our time. Lainez recalled watching a then 24-year-old Pacquiao, fighting at 126 pounds, floored Marquez three times in the first round of their first meeting in 2004 that ended in a controversial draw. "If Manny was in good, fighting condition backed then the match would have ended early," said Lainez. "But he is not. The last-minute granting of his U.S. visa is among the issues that distracted him while in training camp. He looked already exhausted in the third round." He added that Pacquiao almost suffered the same fate in 2008 but managed to pull-off a split decision win over Marquez, a match that the Mexican believed he won hands down. "Remember, Manny had a hard time making the 130-lbs. limit. Manny knocking down Marquez in the third round was the big difference in the fight," added Lainez. This time Lainez believes Pacquiao is ready to make all doubters into believers that he is the real winner of that fight. "Manny is in excellent condition. And he wants to prove something." Lainez said fighting Pacquiao at a catchweight of 144-lbs is unfavorable to Marquez. "Marquez is a natural lightweight. It is a rare case for boxer’s to retain their punching speed if they go up in weight." Lainez mentioned how Marquez fared when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a welterweight in 2009. "Manny now is lightning-quick and stronger at 144. I think the match will finish early," he said. — JVP, GMA News