‘Ring’ picks Pacquiao

If the Ring Magazine is as credible and authoritative as it’s supposed to be, Manny Pacquiao should demolish World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in their scheduled 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time).

Mike Houser, writing in the Ring, predicted Manuel will be "devoured" by Pacquiao.

"True, Pacquiao has some liabilities," said Houser. "He is a blown-up flyweight, has a slightly built upper body and likes his beer. But it’s also true the southpaw slugger has a welterweight’s legs, hits like a baseball bat and never quits attacking. Pacquiao is too fast and too strong for (Paulie) Ayala, (Oscar) Larios and Marquez and at the end of 2004, will remain what he is now–the most exciting champion in the sport today."

As for Marquez, Houser said his "very class and pride will prove to be his undoing." He continued: "Marquez wants to fight the best and he will do so by challenging Filipino punching machine Manny Pacquiao. It won’t necessarily boil down to how Marquez deals with southpaws. Instead, it will depend on how he responds to a nonstop, brawler-boxer like Pacquiao that will determine whether Marquez will remain a beltholder or merely get belted. The bet here is the latter. In (Marco Antonio) Barrera, Pacquiao destroyed a pound-for-pound fighter and a legend in the making. Marquez has yet to establish himself as either and figures to be devoured by Pac-Man."

Despite the Ring’s fearless forecast, four so-called experts picked Marquez to whip Pacquiao.

TV boxing analyst Max Kellerman said: "Marquez is the more accurate puncher, the more complete fighter and he’ll be able to withstand Pacquiao’s charges much better than Pacquiao will be able to respond to what Marquez does."

Veteran boxing commentator Al Bernstein noted: "I might have to go with Marquez because he might be a little more of an accurate puncher. I see Marquez winning by late round stoppage."

Former WBA featherweight champion Derrick Gainer, whom Marquez dethroned last November, butted in: "I’d put my money on Marquez and the reason is that Marquez has been fighting at featherweight much longer. Pacquiao is going to waste a lot more energy getting to Marquez. I see Marquez winning by a seventh round knockout."

Ayala, considered the consensus world superbantamweight titlist, agreed: "Marquez is a classic tactician. It could go either way and whoever forces his will will win the fight. I like Marquez by late round stoppage. Marquez’ more accurate punching will be the difference."

Las Vegas oddsmakers are convinced Pacquiao will pulverize Marquez. The Filipino was initially installed a 7-5 bet. Now, he’s a 2-1 favorite to capture the Mexican’s twin titles.