WORLD’S pound-for-pound king Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao needs a convincing knockout to finally settle the score against his long-time Mexican archrival Juan Manuel Marquez, when they face up for the fourth time on Saturday (today Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA.
Proving that most local mixed martial art (MMA) fighters idolize Pacquiao, popular Filipino MMA fighter Eduard Folayang, veteran Erwin Tagle and Pacific X-Treme Combat light flyweight champion Ale Cali and instructors all staunchly believe Pacquiao could settle the score with a devastating knockout.
“I think Manny can knock out Marquez and I pray that if it ever happens, he’ll be able to finish Marquez,” said the Universal Reality Combat Championship [URCC] welterweight campaigner Folayang. “My prediction will be knockout or prediction.”
Folayang, 28, also downplayed Marquez’s big muscles, saying: “I don’t think big muscle can be an advantage but big heart does. Manny has a big heart and I’m pretty sure he’ll beat the hell up of Marquez.”
The Team Lakay Baguio standout said that Pacquiao is like a human time bomb that can explode anytime particularly when his speed, power and endurance spark at the right time.
Tagle, an eleven-year MMA veteran in the country, said there is nothing impossible for Pacquiao in knocking Marquez out, but he must be wiser this time against the Mexican who relies mostly on counter-punching.
“Pacquiao should pick his shots since Marquez is a very good counter-puncher. He must be patience and take his time and wait for his opportunity to knockout Marquez,” explained by Tagle to The Manila Times. “
“He [Pacquiao] should break down Marquez in the early rounds by hitting him in the body and finish him in the later rounds,” added Tagle, who also trains MMA in different places in Metro Manila. “Manny’s condition looks very great. He is younger than Marquez, so I’m expecting him to dominate his foe.”
Cali, for his part, said Pacquiao’s determination and desire are among the many factors psychologically of his success but Marquez is also determined to prove his the best.
It will be a battle of will and courage.
“They are both great fighters but I’m sure Manny will do something to knock out Marquez and I believe he can,” said Cali in Filipino, a former boxer who shifted to MMA. “Despite the age gap, I believe Marquez at 39 will fight tough and I’m sure Manny will overcome it.”
Dindo de Jesus, the country’s leading Israel’s self-defense Krav Maga certified instructor, shared his thoughts on the Pacquiao-Marquez IV.
He said that the 33-year-old Pacquiao knows very much how to fight Marquez since this is their fourth bout.
“Advantages of Pacquiao are he knows how Marquez fights, counter-attacker, good rhythm and footwork,” said de Jesus, who is hoping for a Pacquiao victory although admitting that Marquez is hungry for a win.
“There will be no knockout again but a decision. Pacquiao’s condition is better than the last time.”
URCC founder Alvin Aguilar is also hoping Pacquiao settles the score by pulling-off a knockout win.
“I also hope for the best to come for Manny,” said Aguilar. “Just like Manny, Marquez is also a warrior so that will be a tough fight. But I’m sure Manny will score a knockout this time. He has the edge in terms of speed and power.”
