Marquez lost a majority decision in the third fight against Pacquiao even though some observers thought he did enough to win. But in the fall of 2012, when Marquez met Pacquiao for the fourth time, there were no questions. In the final seconds of the sixth round, while behind on the scorecards, Marquez landed a picture-perfect right cross that knocked Pacquiao out cold.
‘I believe that all my fights were important to conquer four different divisions,’ he proudly proclaimed. (Marquez gained an interim 140-pound title against Sergey Fedchenko between the third and fourth Pacquiao fights and was later upgraded to full status.) ‘But if I had to choose one, I choose the last fight with Manny due to how it ended.’
Marquez (56-7-1, 40 knockouts) last fought two years ago, outpointing Mike Alvarado at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where he made a name for himself in the mid-1990s. However, he has said he hopes to return to the ring this summer. Now 42, he lives in Mexico City with his wife Erika and three children. He keeps busy with several activities, including dabbling in the real estate business.
‘I would like to teach boxing to the youth, making a difference with my promotion enterprise,’ he said. ‘The Mexican Boxing Federation offered me (the opportunity) to participate in a great project. I believe I would be able to do great things.’ The Ring magazine August 2016
When Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez IV was announced there was more than just a smidgen of discontent amongst members of the boxing fraternity who felt that the rivalry had been exhausted by the previous 36 rounds between the two living legends. This notion would swiftly be eradicated by rounds 37 to 42 of the tetralogy, which was arguably the best of the bunch. The bout would earn the distinction of Fight of the Year 2012, but will be forever remembered for one unforgettable and devastating fight-ending right hand at 2 minutes 59 of round six.
The previous three meetings between the pair were incredibly close fights that could have gone either way. Nevertheless, the history books will forever be ingrained with two decision victories for Pacquiao and one 12-round draw after all three contests had gone to the judges’ scorecards. The three judges at ringside on December 8 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena would not be needed.
The fight began brightly with Pacquiao’s trademark combinations and hand speed being enough to take the first two rounds on the cards, but the momentum changed in the third as a juggernaut right-hand from Marquez knocked Pacquiao down for the first time in 39 rounds between the pair. The knockdown raised the crowd to its feet and the noise to a near-deafening decibel level. Undeterred by this setback, Pacquiao would recover and throw caution to the wind in round four, waging war with Marquez who was more than willing to engage. Sporting a swelling below his right eye, Marquez was dropped in the fifth by a smooth counter left that levelled the knockdown count at one apiece. Once Marquez was back to his feet, blistering exchanges would follow with both fighters tearing into each other with ferocious and thunderous punching. The sixth round continued where the gruelling fifth had left off – Pacquiao detonating numerous damaging punches as he began to conceivably close in on a stoppage of the brave Marquez. Yet, with one second of the round remaining, Manny’s momentum was about to come to a shuddering halt.
As Pacquiao closed the range, popping out a double left jab, Marquez dipped to his left and exploded with the most destructive of punches to the Filipino’s nose which immediately disconnected Pacquiao from his consciousness. Tris Dixon, at ringside that night, described the game-changer as ‘a short, atomic right hand, laced with about five inches of menacing backswing [that] was rammed squarely in Pacquiao’s face.’
Time stood still as Pacquiao crashed to the floor into a lifeless face-down position, which left referee Kenny Bayless not even needing to administer a count. The fight was over.
Nearly 17,000 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena were silenced for a split second by the dramatic impact of fist on skull before the Mexican hysteria exploded. Mexican fight fans finally had their victory to celebrate over the great Manny Pacquiao and they did so jubilantly. The stark contrast between these scenes and the harrowing pictures of Pacquiao’s distraught wife, Jinkee, on the big screen would go some way to qualifying the colossal significance of Marquez’s historic one-punch knockout. Boxing News online article 8 December 2018, ‘On This Day: Juan Manuel Marquez stuns the boxing world as he ices Manny Pacquiao’
45) Manny Pacquiao I Draw 12: US Fight Commentary TV -
v Manny Pacquiao I 8 May 2004 WBA IBF Featherweight Nevada [r1] … Marquez gets in a hard left hook to the body and a good right hand over the top … He [Pacquiao] fires the straight left hand and there’s the punching power … [Marquez knockdown] … Down he goes [Marquez knockdown II] … Third knockdown of the first round … Tremendous heart and determination to finish this round … [r2] … Straight left [Pacquiao] … again … he’s so fast, so explosive … Marquez coming back with a left and a right … straight left … Marquez lands a solid left and another … [r3] … A mountain that Marquez has to fight [sic] … gets in two hard body shots … hard right … Hard left hand by Pacquiao landed flush … straight lefts … [r4] … They’re edging towards fighting Marquez’s fight … hard right hand … Pacquiao wants to fight back immediately … [r5] … Hard right hand by Marquez … Pacquiao comes back with two big left hands … They’re trading shots again … What a fight! … [r6] … Good body shot by Marquez … Right hand stunned Pacquiao … Pacquiao landed with a left … It could be the comeback of a lifetime for Jose Manuel Marquez … [Lederman: 56-55 Pacquiao] … [r7] … Right hand [Marquez] … Takes a hard left shot from Pacquiao … left hand did get in … Straight right hand [Marquez] … takes them well and stuns Pacquiao … [r8] … The most tactical round of the fight … Uppercut by Marquez … good body shots … strafes him twice with the right … [r9] … You back [Pacquiao] him up at your own risk … landing two one-twos … Marquez gets him with a let … hard right hand … They trade shots … [r10] … It’s gotten rough … They get ready to trade again; the fight comes alive … Blood trickling from Marquez’ nose … backing up … Hard left hand by Pacquiao … [r11] … Possible Marquez needs a knockout … Big right hand by Marquez … [r12] … Marquez starts the round landing big shots … Two real fighters from their guts … Both have the hearts of champions … What a battle … [115-110 Pacquiao, 115-110 Marquez, 113-133]. US HBO fight commentary
56) Floyd Mayweather Lost Points 12: UK Fight Commentary TV -
v Floyd Mayweather 19 September 2009 Nevada [r1] … Floyd Mayweather’s return … All the advantages of size and probably speed … wonderful defensive genius … the left hook … sharp as a lazer [Watt] … too quick … A shoulder roll, the tight defence … [r2] … Marquez has been an outstanding fighter [Watt] … Good right hand from Marquez … he’s a tough campaigner … and down he goes! That was sharp and slick and accurate from Floyd Mayweather … he’s in and out quickly … and he’s the heavier man … [r3] … Marvellous to see … Marquez caught betwixt and between … and he’s on the front foot … left hand … It’s all Mayweather … [r4] … Just can’t get near Mayweather’s chin … Cut as well right eye of Marquez … he can’t deal with this … Right hand [Marquez]; the smile from Mayweather … [r5] … Such a talent … Trying so very hard Marquez … lovely left hook [Mayweather] … [r6] … Right hand … One-sided exhibition … lovely right hand … uppercut … dissecting and dismantling … brilliant skills and talent … [r7] … Marquez has taken Pacquiao to the wire twice … still in there battling … [r8] … The slickness, the speed [Mayweather] … right hand … razzle dazzle … look at that defence … [r9] … He wants to stand his ground …jab and combinations … nothing to dent Mayweather … right hand, big shot … right hands … [r10] … Right hand … that hurt Marquez … getting power into these punches … let hook, right hand … [r11] … You can see now the spite in Mayweather’s punches [Watt] … couple of right hands … uppercut … still he comes back Marquez … Mayweather stalking him … a right hand … another big right hand … pretty punch perfect … [r12] … Still the head shots … How do you beat Mayweather? [Watt] … And there’s the right hand … now a left hook … UK Sky TV commentary
62) Manny Pacquiao IV KO6: US Fight Commentary TV -
v Manny Pacquiao IV 8 December 2012 Nevada [r1] … They have had three very good fights … More head movements [Pacquiao] … Good left by Pacquiao … ducked the right hand … flowing back and forth … good left hand inside [Pacquiao] … [r2] … Marquez looks exceedingly cautious … good body shots … Left hand by Pacquiao … another … Good body shots by Marquez … [r3] … Another straight left [Pacquiao] … Another body shot by Marquez … Right hand by Marquez … Manny Pacquiao has been knocked down … signature right hand over the top … A fight break out in Vegas … [r4] … Another straight right hand by Marquez … Good combination by Pacquiao … They trade shots again … [r5] … Manny Pacquiao evens up the knockdown count … Right hand by Marquez; Pacquiao was able to stand up … This is a blood-curdling war … Marquez is hurt bad … he is fighting back … what a round … [r6] … Another left jab … Marquez drives him back with a counter shot … Oh! … A sensational knockout by a bloody Juan Marquez … Manny Pacquiao is still face down. US fight commentary
[8.7] SALVADOR SANCHEZ 46-44(32)-1-1 [Featherweight & Bantamweight]: Boxing News online - Bad Left Hook online -
On This Day: The great Salvador Sanchez was born: Nobody knows what Salvador Sanchez could have gone on to achieve in his career. At only 23 years of age, the Mexican was a reigning WBC featherweight champion with nine successful defences under his belt, including victories over future all-time greats Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson. Just over three weeks after his stoppage defeat of the previously unbeaten Nelson, Sanchez died in a car crash; his Porsche colliding with a pick-up truck. If that tragic incident had not occurred, it is likely that ‘Chava’ would have worked his way even further up the illustrious list of the greatest fighters of all-time.
Salvador made his professional boxing debut in 1975 at the age of 16. It is reported that he only had four amateur bouts before turning over. Tall and slim with a technically adept style, he stormed his way to 18 straight victories, with all but one of those wins coming by way of stoppage or knockout. This impressive run led to an attempt at the vacant Mexican bantamweight title in September 1977. However, Sanchez ended up on the wrong side of a split decision verdict against Antonio Becerra in Mazatlan.
After bouncing back with two points victories, the Santiago Tianguistenco man travelled to Los Angeles to make his first appearance outside of his native Mexico. In a difficult contest, Sanchez was held to a draw by Juan Escobar. He would go on to win all of his remaining bouts up until his premature death four years and three months later.
Thirteen consecutive victories between July 1978 and December 1979 earned Sal a shot at the WBC featherweight king Danny Lopez in 1980. ‘Little Red’, who had held the title for more than three years and had a reputation for being a big hitter, was unceremoniously dispatched of inside 13 rounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Sanchez punished his rival with sharp, accurate punches, forcing the referee to step in.