Juan Manuel Márquez on His Rivalry with Manny Pacquiao: “I Beat Him 4 Times”
Renowned boxer Juan Manuel Márquez has never shied away from expressing his thoughts on his storied rivalry with Manny Pacquiao.
Márquez firmly believes that he defeated Pacquiao in all their encounters,
despite what the judges’ scorecards might have indicated.
In a recent interview, Márquez reiterated his stance, saying, “I beat Manny Pacquiao 4 times but was robbed by the judges. That’s why I had to put him to sleep the 4th time.”
The Rivalry Breakdown
- First Fight (2004): The first bout between Márquez and Pacquiao ended in a controversial draw, with many fans and analysts debating the outcome.
- Second Fight (2008): Pacquiao won by a narrow split decision, which Márquez and his supporters strongly disputed.
- Third Fight (2011): Again, Pacquiao emerged victorious by majority decision, leading to widespread criticism and claims of unfair judging.
- Fourth Fight (2012): Márquez finally secured a definitive victory with a stunning knockout in the sixth round, which he referred to as “putting him to sleep.”
The fourth encounter between the two fighters is particularly significant for Márquez. He delivered a dramatic knockout punch in the sixth round, silencing critics and making a powerful statement. This victory was a culmination of years of frustration and perceived injustices.
For Márquez, the knockout was not just a win but a necessary action to prove his superiority once and for all. He believes that the knockout was the only way to ensure an undeniable victory, given his past experiences with controversial decisions.
The Márquez-Pacquiao rivalry is one of the most memorable in boxing history, characterized by intense competition and disputed outcomes. Despite the controversies, both fighters have earned immense respect for their skill and tenacity.
Juan Manuel Márquez’s assertion that he won all four fights against Manny Pacquiao underscores the intensity and complexity of their rivalry. While the judges’ decisions may have favored Pacquiao in three of their encounters, Márquez’s knockout victory in the fourth fight remains a defining moment in his career.
