Geraldo G. Rivas

“The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity” Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Jumping up from my computer chair behind the couch that was being occupied by my guests, my first reaction was pure excitement, followed by high fives, then disbelief and fear. The great Manny Pacquiao had just been knocked out in brutal fashion by Juan Manuel Marquez. It is a knockout that will forever live in boxing infamy, a knockout that every boxing fanatic will be able to recall when and where they were at the time of impact. It is then when I started to realize that one of the most amazing careers and reigns in boxing history was shortly coming to end, if not already. At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, with less than one second left in the sixth round, the entire landscape of boxing for the next year or several years has now changed.

Juan Manuel Marquez has now risen to Mexican icon status and is now a bona fide legend. The work Marquez and Beristain did to angle themselves into a fourth Pacquiao fight came under much scrutiny; a scrutiny that can now be considered genius. At age 39, when most prizefighters are retired or being used as stepping stones for up and comers, Marquez and his career have never been more relevant. Which begs the question, what is next for these two giants of the sport? In an ironic twist, which could only exist in the world of boxing, there is likely to be more demand for Pacquaio-Marquez 5 than there ever was for Pacquiao-Marquez 4. Vocally opposed to fight 4, I would gladly shovel out time and money to see a fifth showdown. Redemption is the one quality which keeps spectators of any sport returning time and again; if anyone has earned a shot at redemption, it is certainly Manny Pacquiao. Prior to the knockout, rumors had circulated from Top Rank that Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios was next to face the Filipino phenom with Juan Manuel Marquez retiring if again defeated. Where does this leave Rios? A rematch with Mike Alvarado is again rumored, though personally I feel Rios has earned a shot in the spotlight and potential superstardom. Marquez, in the past, has stated little interest in a Rios bout or a face-off with Robert Guerrero. Where does this leave Mayweather-Pacquiao? Probably in the exact same spot as before, nowhere. Fortunately, (or unfortunately, regarding your stance) all roads may again lead to Marquez-Pacquiao 5.

Regardless of the outcome, boxing received a night it deserved and it performed mightily on the big stage. Human instinct is very welcoming to second chances, and after Pacquiao-Bradley and Pacquiao-Marquez 3, those brave enough to exercise their “second chance clause” were rewarded tenfold. Did this fight save boxing? Of course not, there is nothing to save. The boxing demographic is getting younger and stronger. What this fight did do was peak interest, which is all anyone could ask for. After speaking to my Filipino friends, you get a sense of how truly special Pacquiao is and how truly devastating Saturday night was for them. If this was indeed the last time Pacquiao does step into the ring, all I can say is “thank you”. As for Marquez, all I can say is “thank you.”

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