Marquez has been insisting that he had been robbed of two victories in their two previous encounters; the first ended in controversial split draw, and the second, he lost by split decision despite dominating the last four stanzas, he claimed. At 38, Marquez believes he can take out the 32- year-old Pacquiao with combinations. The Mexican multi world titlist is ready to retire if he repulses Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Marquez has eclipsed the popularity of his compatriots in the fistic community owing to his spectacular performances when he tangled with the most feared and respected boxer in the world twice in as many encounters. Some of his followers in Mexico, the United States and the Philippines, are still impressed with his skills as counter-puncher and ruthless finisher. Pacquiao, who is supposed to have retired now but has refused to hang up his gloves until he meets Floyd Mayweather Jr., is also prepared to say goodbye to the sport that made him a billionaire to focus on his job as public servant.

Much as he probably wanted to avoid a third collission with Marquez but Pacquiao is under obligation to obey the wishes of the demigods in the Top Rank headed by Bob Arum. Pacquiao has proven in their previous matches that he could finish off Marquez in any weight category. Only the dotted lines in his contract with Bob Arum separate Pacquiao from retirement. The scuttlebutt is that he is eyeing a higher position aside from running for reelection in his district in Mindanao.

“I’m not gonna stay long in boxing. A couple of fights and I will stop boxing. I will focus to serve the people,” Pacquiao recently told the Philippines press. He may not yet be qualified under the Constitution to run for senator (he must be at least 35), but Pacquiao’s political advisers have been hinting the possibility that he might run for vice president.

By Rey Fortaleza