Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez: An Epic Boxing Rivalry Spanning Eight Years.

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez’s rivalry is one of the most iconic in boxing history, spanning eight years, four fights, and 42 intense rounds. This legendary rivalry ended with one punch that sealed its legacy.

Typically, a rivalry doesn’t see a fourth fight when one boxer hasn’t won any of the first three. However, Pacquiao vs. Marquez was an exception, marked by several controversial scorecards that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The rivalry began in 2004, with their first meeting for the WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine featherweight titles. In this initial bout, Marquez survived three first-round knockdowns to earn a controversial split draw at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The second fight saw Pacquiao win by a razor-thin decision, while the third fight left many believing Marquez had been robbed, adding more fuel to the fire of their rivalry.

The fourth and final fight in December 2012 provided the definitive conclusion fans had been waiting for. Marquez scored his first knockdown of the series in round three, feinting to the body before landing a looping overhand right that floored Pacquiao.

Pacquiao recovered and retaliated early in round five, which was later named Round of the Year by several media outlets. Marquez quickly got back on his feet, and a fierce exchange ensued, resulting in Pacquiao breaking Marquez’s nose.

Round six mirrored Pacquiao’s earlier success. As he pressed Marquez against the ropes, seeking a knockout, he ran into a perfectly timed counter right hand that left him out cold on the canvas. Marquez’s long-awaited victory over Pacquiao was sealed with what he described as the best punch of his career.

After the fight, Marquez openly acknowledged the danger he faced in the final rounds but celebrated the perfect punch that ended the rivalry conclusively. “I knew I could be knocked out at any time when he was coming at me in those last three rounds,” Marquez said. “But I threw the perfect punch.”

The Pacquiao vs. Marquez rivalry, with its mix of controversy and incredible boxing, remains one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Each fight brought its own drama, but the fourth bout provided the conclusive and memorable ending that solidified their legacy in boxing lore.

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