Pacquiao vs Marquez IV: a clash of rockets

Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez is coming to fight, while Manny Pacquiao is coming to finish him. Marquez wants vindication. Pacquiao wants conclusion.

The Pacquiao-Marquez quadrilogy ought to be a clash of rockets loaded with brimstones; a battle that would be waged from different unknown directions, but from one familiar solitary stronghold for the two “friendly” camps.

The motivations of the boxers are strong and compelling. The stakes are great, the keys are concealed, the air is decisive, the competition is fierce and the anticipation is high.

Shocks may possibly fill the ring and beyond but the people would not be shocked to see them coming between classic fighters inside a brass arena. This time around, Pacquiao and Marquez may seem total strangers to each other as if they haven’t fought three times in the past. Both would likely be vision impaired but one of them could be helplessly blindfolded.

And it may not take long to stop the contest.

Dinamita has all the reasons in the world to put everything on the line in order to win convincingly, though he has every reason to consider life after boxing. Pacman has zero willingness to abandon his loft in his controversial conquest of Marquez, tired as he is over the issue though he may run out of excuses should he “win” again just by mere points if indeed he is all-out to prove without a doubt that he is a cut, clear and premium boxer, above Marquez. The two superstars have come to the end of the road.

Come Saturday night, Dec. 8 in Vegas  (Dec. 9, Sunday morning in Manila), the people ought to see not Mama kissing Santa Claus, but Pacquiao and Marquez “ripping” each other inside the boxing ring before cameras that would bring their fourth encounter to millions of fans eager for a lift and entertainment.

Though, if the leading actors for this megaproduction would go amiss in fulfilling their vows of coming to “fight” and coming to “finish,” everyone would rather be happily assured without failure, that Santa Claus is coming to town.

“Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why… so be good for goodness sake.”

—RENI M. VALENZUELA,

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