Marquez: Pacquiao didn’t deserve win

Dethroned World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez came home to Mexico Sunday, insisting he won the rematch and feeling he was cheated in his fight against Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“I won the fight because I did the better things in the ring but the judges saw another fight and they gave the win to the Filipino who did not deserve it,” said Marquez through Mexican boxing website www.boxnoticias.com.

Although he ruled out that the overwhelming odds that favored Pacquiao before the fight had anything to do with the decision of the jury, Marquez felt there was an unseen hand that might have had influenced the judges’ verdict.

“Yes there was a black hand. I do not know if the World Boxing Council was fed up with my brother Rafael and of me,” said Marquez. “The public saw that I won the fight.”

He particularly pointed out the first round of the classic 12-round duel where Pacquiao won on all judges’ card despite Marquez solid showing that saw him land the best punch – a right straight that shook Pacquiao’s head.

“You saw it. Marquez was the better boxer. This is not good for the sport,” said Marquez manager Ignacio Beristain after the fight.

Team Marquez, in fact, dared Pacquiao for a third match with the Golden Boy Promotions immediately offering $6 million for Pacquiao to face Marquez for the last time.

“My fighter is ready for a third fight,” said Beristain. – Abac Cordero