On May 8, 2004, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, boxing fans witnessed the first chapter of one of the greatest rivalries in the sport. Manny Pacquiao, the rising star from the Philippines, took on Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, the WBA and IBF Featherweight Champion. Pacquiao, known for his explosive power and relentless style, was up against Marquez, a master technician with exceptional counterpunching skills. This fight would set the stage for an epic series of bouts between these two warriors.
Round 1
The first round was nothing short of explosive. Pacquiao came out like a whirlwind, immediately putting Marquez on the defensive. Within the first minute, Pacquiao landed a thunderous left hand that sent Marquez crashing to the canvas. The crowd erupted as Marquez got up, but he was clearly shaken. Pacquiao wasted no time and floored Marquez again with another powerful left hand. Marquez, showing immense heart, got up once more. However, Pacquiao was relentless and knocked Marquez down for a third time in the round. Marquez barely survived the round, but his determination to continue was evident.
Round 2
After a disastrous first round, Marquez came out more cautious in the second. Pacquiao continued to press forward, looking for another knockdown. Marquez, however, began to find his rhythm and started countering Pacquiao’s aggressive attacks. He landed a few solid right hands, showing that he was still dangerous. Pacquiao’s aggression was relentless, but Marquez’s counters were beginning to slow him down. The round was closer, with both fighters having their moments.
Round 3
In the third round, Marquez had seemingly recovered from the early knockdowns. He started to use his jab effectively to keep Pacquiao at bay. Pacquiao, still aggressive, continued to throw powerful combinations, but Marquez’s defense was tighter. Marquez landed several clean shots, including a sharp right hand that caught Pacquiao’s attention. The round was competitive, with Marquez slowly getting back into the fight.
Round 4
Marquez’s confidence grew in the fourth round. He started to dictate the pace with his jab and clever footwork. Pacquiao, still dangerous, landed some powerful shots, but Marquez’s counterpunching was becoming more effective. Marquez’s right hand found its mark repeatedly, and he started to win the exchanges. The momentum seemed to be shifting as Marquez was now landing the cleaner punches.
Round 5
The fifth round saw Marquez continuing to execute his game plan. He used his jab to set up combinations and kept Pacquiao off balance. Pacquiao’s aggression didn’t wane, but Marquez’s counters were causing him problems. A big right hand from Marquez rocked Pacquiao, who was forced to back off momentarily. Marquez was now controlling the fight, showing his technical prowess and ring IQ.
Round 6
In the sixth round, Pacquiao tried to re-establish his dominance. He came out with renewed aggression, throwing combinations with bad intentions. Marquez, however, remained composed and continued to counter effectively. Both fighters had their moments, with Pacquiao landing some hard left hands and Marquez responding with sharp counters. The round was closely contested, with neither fighter clearly dominating.
Round 7
The seventh round was another tactical battle. Marquez’s jab continued to be a key weapon, disrupting Pacquiao’s rhythm. Pacquiao landed some powerful shots, but Marquez’s defense and counters were giving him trouble. Marquez landed several clean right hands that snapped Pacquiao’s head back. The fight was now a high-level chess match, with both fighters having to think and adjust constantly.
Round 8
Marquez started to take control in the eighth round. His counterpunching was precise, and he was landing the more effective shots. Pacquiao, while still aggressive, was having difficulty getting past Marquez’s defense. A big right hand from Marquez caught Pacquiao flush, momentarily stunning him. Marquez’s confidence was growing, and he was now winning the exchanges more clearly.
Round 9
In the ninth round, Pacquiao tried to turn the tide with his relentless aggression. He threw punches in bunches, looking to break through Marquez’s defense. Marquez, however, continued to counter brilliantly, landing sharp right hands and uppercuts. Pacquiao’s punches were less effective as Marquez’s movement and defense were frustrating him. The round ended with Marquez having the upper hand.
Round 10
The tenth round was a back-and-forth affair. Pacquiao’s aggression was undiminished, but Marquez’s counterpunching remained effective. Both fighters landed big shots, with Pacquiao’s power and Marquez’s precision on display. The exchanges were intense, and the crowd was on its feet. Neither fighter was willing to give an inch, making for an exciting and closely contested round.
Round 11
In the eleventh round, Marquez continued to show his resilience and skill. He landed several clean right hands that kept Pacquiao at bay. Pacquiao, still pressing forward, landed some solid left hands, but Marquez’s counters were taking their toll. The round was another close one, with both fighters having their moments. Marquez’s experience and technique were proving to be a formidable challenge for Pacquiao.
Round 12
The final round was a fitting end to an incredible fight. Both fighters gave it their all, knowing the outcome was still in the balance. Pacquiao came out aggressively, looking for a knockout, while Marquez continued to counter effectively. The exchanges were fierce, with both fighters landing big shots. The round ended with both fighters raising their hands, confident they had done enough to win.
Post-Fight
The fight ended in a controversial draw, with scores of 115-110 for Pacquiao, 115-110 for Marquez, and 113-113. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with many believing Pacquiao’s early knockdowns had secured the win, while others felt Marquez’s comeback and counterpunching deserved the nod. The draw set the stage for an epic rivalry that would span multiple fights and years, becoming one of the most storied matchups in boxing history.
