Pacquiao prays to god for gift... and receives

13.11.11

By @livefight

Marquez stands on the corner post, arms raised aloft as the Mexican crowd roar their appreciation - the Filipino crowd are quiet by comparison.

The camera pans round to Pacquiao, who is being consoled by his team. The camera pans to Manny's wife, tears in her eyes.

The camera then returns to Pacquiao, by now on his knees, praying as hard as he can to his corner-post.

We can only surmise what his prayers are asking, but I'd imagine it's something like "Please HBO gods, let me win this fight even though I was out-gamed and nullified from start to finish - and don't deserve to win. My Mayweather payday looks to be going up in smoke if you don't grant me this prayer."

Call me cynical, but there was no requirement for a godly intervention. The HBO team creamed their pants as Manny failed to land anything. "Yes, but look at that footwork" cooed Manny Steward.

Lederman also had a run-away scorecard for the Filipino, with many rounds that Marquez edged being clearly given to the HBO starlet.

The reality is that body language speaks louder than any words and Team Pacquiao's body language at the final bell was deafening.

Likewise when the commentator word's don't match up with what the bodies are doing in the ring - it also speaks louder about the network's preferences when it comes to whom they'd like to win.

Marquez was a shrewd opponent choice on paper. Pacquiao would be afforded an opportunity to erase their previous two fights, with a predicted whitewash and knockout. A win over Marquez by stoppage would also send a huge message to the public and Floyd Mayweather.

The reality is that Marquez, a 38-year old warhorse, trained correctly and with diligence and proved that confidence against Manny, a willingness to slip Manny's punches and use patience, would turn the tornado into a gentle breeze.

In closing we can surmise that Marquez is far from spent, or that he simply has Pacquiao's number. Likewise we can forgive Manny if he had an 'off night' after giving us so many dominating and fantastic nights of action in the last couple of years.

Bu removing personalities, favourtism and history from the equation = Marquez won their fight last night.

It was more of a chess match than a war, and although there was no 'check mate', the Mexican had far more pieces on the board when the final bell tolled.

At least now we may finally see Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao step into the ring. And based on that performance you'd have to favour Mayweather by a wide decision.

Post-fight conference:



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