Lord knows I’ve been critical of Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum in the past. I don’t take any of that back 
and I still think that much of Manny’s talent has been wasted over the last several years, rolling over re-treads and broken down war horses while barely breaking a sweat.
But never let it be said that I cannot give credit where credit is due. Regardless of what my Boxing Tribune brethren may have written this week, I think this Saturday’s Pacquiao-Marquez pay-per-view promises to be a really good show.
Even though I feel that the main event could be a mismatch at this stage of both careers, you know that magic will happen for as long as both fighters are able to stand. Marquez has a huge chip on his shoulders and not only wants to win, but actually feels he can do it. Pacquiao will not be hard to find. Don’t expect a multi-million dollar game of patty-cake like the Pacquiao-Mosley debacle.
The chief support is an honest-to-goodness, hide-your-head-in-shame mismatch pitting Timothy Bradley against elderly, bloated Joel Casamayor. But, on the bright side, consider this an audition bout for Bradley, who aims to be next in line for a chance at cash cow, Pacquiao. “Desert Storm” will be pushing hard and working to impress- Casamayor will fall– likely in impressive fashion.
Breidis Prescott-Mike Alvarado will be good fun for everyone. Prescott can look listless and unfocused at times, but Alvarado is the type of fighter who will be pushing and pushing, forcing the “Khanqueror” to fight back or fall down. For Alvarado, Prescott represents the heaviest-handed fighter he has ever fought and his chin should be tested at several points in the bout. There are no runners in this one, so expect some quality action.
The opening bout features exciting Puerto Rican prospect, Luis Cruz, against Mexican prospect, Juan Carlos Burgos in a battle of twenty-something super featherweights. Both have the potential to be something special– Cruz more so than Burgos– and this will be a rare battle between two young fighters on the rise with a lot to lose.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this show will deliver– but is it worth the $60 asking price?
Well, that’s another story. Sixty dollars is a high price for any show and I don’t think it’s a particularly good idea to support the PPV business model, but compared to other recent events, this one stacks up pretty well.
Personally, I won’t be buying it. The fight is on free TV here in my adopted hometown of Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico. But I don’t think Pacquiao-Marquez III will be a rip-off.
So, order a pizza and invite the friends. And don’t be one of those creeps who only shows up for the main event.
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