One More Round with Mark Lyons: Marquez/Vazquez, Perez/Mares, Mayweather vs Pacquiao Simulation

Mark Lyons is back with this week's edition of One More Round.

Last week, we saw Rafael Marquez top Israel Vazquez in a bout that hopefully marks the end of one of boxing's greatest rivalries - and on the same show, the beginning of what could well be another multi-fight series as Yonnhy Perez and Abner Mares duelled it out in a hard fought twelve round draw.  Since this weekend's a slow one, and I don't care to delve into Vitali Klitschko "gimme" title defense, I thought I would mix things up a bit and use the Title Bout simulator to give us a taste of the fight we're all waiting for, but might never see, Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao.

This past weekend's action...

Marquez - Vazquez IV

Let me just say, that I have always had a soft spot for great fighters on the decline and when they turn back the clock, it's the most thrilling theatre that the sport has to offer.  But more often that not, what happens in these "one more time" type fights is just what we saw take place on Saturday night.  I see a lot of talk of the cuts, and they were ugly, but I think there was more to it than that.  Vazquez has just reached his limit on what he can endure.  I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for his battle with Angel Priolo, the former flyweight he struggled with last October, but it's undeniable that he's at the end of the road.  It happens to every fighter at some point, and it has happened to Izzy.

Hopefully, he will go out now with his health, leaving us with as many memories as any of his peers. Thanks Izzy for your never say die attitude, willingness to take on the best and all the blood you've spilled for our entertainment. There is no need to spill any more.

Lost in all of that was how good Rafael Marquez looked. He was firing on all cylinders and while I don't think he had the usual Izzy in front of him, that isn't his fault. He appeared dry at the weigh in, but he was very thick and strong looking on fight night. With one of the better jabs I have ever seen and incredibly fluent punches, Rafa is a handful for any of the young guns. He is 35 years old, so time is of the essence, but I'd love to see a fight with Gamboa or Lopez next. Particularly Gamboa, as that has Hagler/Hearns type potential in my opinion. Yuri's speed and power against a master counter puncher with nuclear bombs in his gloves. Make it happen!

Perez - Mares

The co-feature lived up to my expectations. I wouldn't agree that it was a FOTY type scrap, but it was very close and exciting.  It also featured one of the strangest tactical decisions I've seen in some time.  First off, I agreed with the decision. I had it a draw, and after watching again, still had it a draw. I gave Mares the first two rounds and Perez the next two, and at that stage it was looking like a possible FOTY.  The pressure of Perez was obviously getting to Mares, but he countered it by completely switching gears into an all out retreat. Perez chased him and forced the action for the next four rounds before Abner stuck his nose back in the trenches and used his speed to close strong and sweep the final four rounds on my card.

In my eyes it was a case of Mares giving away the middle third by running. That's not to say that he would have won if he didn't get that breather. But he was the stronger fighter at the end and I just didn't understand the strategy. Even more puzzling was his corner practically telling him to run in the last three rounds. Luckily for Abner, he ignored those pleas. A rematch is a must and must see.

One other thing about the telecast...

I have long been a fan of Al Bernstein's work, but I can't write this without mentioning his incredibly annoying new obsession with punch-stats.  If I didn't know his voice so well, I would have sworn it was someone else constantly rattling off those numbers.  I'm guessing that it wasn't all Al's fault, and the decision to keep pushing the stats came from the Showtime producers, but it almost ruined the show for me and I hope it was an anomaly.

Dream fight...

On slow weeks like this one, I thought I would start using the Title Bout simulator for some dream match-ups. I'll mix up past and present fighters and any requests are welcome via email or comment. I figured I may as well start with the fight everyone wants to see. So lets get to it...

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather

The site is the MGM Grand and Vegas has been buzzing for weeks as the two greatest active fighters square off.  No needles, no steroid accusations... just boxing.  Both fighters looked fantastic at the weigh-in - Mayweather came in at 146 and Pacquiao at 145.5. The build up saw a lot of Mayweather's typical banter and Manny has been getting angrier by the day. Well, the time is at hand...

Round 1

They start out a bit cautiously, sizing each other up. Mayweather lands a jab. Pacquiao jumps in with a flurry and scores with a hard left hand and a hook to the body. Manny backs Floyd up to the ropes and throws a barrage of shots, but only a few find a home. Floyd rips two hard hooks to the body that got Pac's attention. Floyd takes an uppercut, but counters with a straight right hand.

Round 2

Manny forces the action to the ropes and Money deftly avoids several shots, before Pacquiao breaks through with a devastating straight left hand. Manny throws an ineffective flurry and Mayweather responds by digging a hard hook to the body. Floyd scores with a stiff jab and Pacquiao gets in another left hand.  Manny  land a hard hook at the bell.  At this stage, Pacman's output is double Floyd's, though he is missing the majority of his shots.

Round 3

Manny lands a jab to the body and a winging left to the head that staggers Floyd!  Mayweather fires back and they trade power shots with Pacquiao having the advantage.  Manny scores with another left hand and a hook to the body.  Money comes back with his own hook to the body.  Pac connects with a jab, before a violent exchange in the middle of the ring brings the crowd to it's feet.  Mayweather had a slight edge during that bit of mayhem, and he follows up by digging a combo to the body and presses his advantage further by snapping Manny's head back with a sharp uppercut.  Manny nods to acknowledge Floyd's work and bangs his gloves together just before the bell.

Round 4

Manny unleashes a quick flurry, scoring to the head and body.  Floyd slips a left and counters with a laser of a right cross. Floyd rolls away from a hook, and counters sharply with a straight right and a hook to the body.  Manny responds by driving a hook to the midsection and a crushing left hand to the chin.  They grapple on the inside and Floyd lands an uppercut. Money sticks a jab to the body and Pacquiao fires back with a short hook to the temple.  What a fight so far!

Round 5

After some fiery action over the previous few rounds, the action over the first half of the fifth is uneventful as Floyd decided to employ a little movement, and Manny is struggling to corner him.  Pacquiao finally catches up to his slick rival and scores with a hard hook.  Mayweather immediately rips two scorching shots to the body and a cross to the head in response!  Manny doesn't waste any time trying to get even, and hooks off a jab, before banging a left to the side of Floyd's head.  Floyd scores with a lead right just before the bell.  After a slow start, they more than made up for it over the second half of the round.

Round 6

Another slow start, until Mayweather takes advantage of his over-anxious opponent, by slipping a left and connecting with a wicked uppercut that suddenly has Manny a little shaky.  Seeing his chance, Floyd rushes in but gets uncharacteristically wild and misses the majority of his follow up.  Manny appears to have his legs back, and jump with two body shots.  Mayweather responds by firing home one of his quick lead rights.  Manny jabs to the chest, setting up and overhand left right at the bell.

Round 7

The Pacman connects with a tremendous left hand early in the seventh.  He tries to jump on Floyd, but the shifty Mayweather expertly dodges the follow up, before scoring with a beautiful combination.  Money shoots a hard right hand down the pipe and suddenly Pacquiao is hurt!!  Manny tries to fire back, but walks into a check hook that doesn't do him any good.  Mayweather drills home a flush right hand!  Manny's in a bit of trouble here.  He gets home a left, but Floyd counters with a hard cross, and punctuates his best round of the fight with a sledgehammer combo just before the bell!  Manny managed to see out the round, but he was in rough shape for those latter stages.

Round 8

Looking to capitalize on his momentum from the previous round, Floyd scores with a lead right early in the eighth. Manny doesn't back down, and they trade heavy shots on the inside, but it's Mayweather again getting the better of the action as he buckles Pac's legs with a devastating uppercut!  Money hooks to the body and snaps Pacquiao's head back with a straight right hand!  Floyd connects with a crushing hook and another right hand!  Manny's still standing under the barrage, but he has some noticeable swelling by his left eye.  He tries to fire back, but Floyd evades a combination and scores with a right hand.  He taunts Pacquiao as the round ends.

Round 9

Floyd lands a lead right and a hook to the body.  Pacquiao looking a little steadier this round, and he gets in a jab to the body.  Floyd lands a hook downstairs, but Manny comes back with a short hook to the chin that hurts Mayweather!  Floyd holds on tight to buy some precious time.  They're separated, and Floyd quick gets on the move, as Manny chases.  Pacquiao takes a combo to the body, but scores with a scorching cross to the chin that has Floyd holding on again at the bell!

Round 10

They grapple on the inside and Floyd lands a hook to the body and an uppercut to the chin.  Floyd scores with a lead right and there are worrying signs for the Pacquiao fans, as Manny's left eye is rapidly closing.   Not shying away, Pacquiao hooks to the body and lands a murderous cross to the chin that backs Floyd into the ropes!  This is turning to a classic!  They trade evenly until Money scores with a vicious uppercut, followed by a hook and a sizzling cross!  Manny somehow takes it and rips a hook to the body in return!  . Floyd closes another thrilling round with a right just before the bell.

Round 11

Floyd lands two hooks to the body and Manny comes back with a hook to the head.  Pacquiao fires a flurry to the body and catches Floyd clean with a violent left to the head, prompting Mayweather to tie up the action, and smother Manny's attempted follow-up on the inside. Floyd pops a quick jab in there and follows with a hard right.  Manny walks through a jab and connects with his own right and a left to the head.  Pacquiao connects with some Manilla Ice to Floyd's ribs at the end of the round.

Round 12

They touch gloves and immediately trade shots in an even exchange.  Both fighters are looking a little tired, but still going for it.  Floyd takes a cross and counters with a whistling uppercut!  Manny connects with a hard left and Mayweather fires back a big cross.  Money slips two shots and lands another right hand on the nearly closed left eye of Pacquiao.  Floyd scores with a combo to the body.  The crowd is on their feet!  The sound of the ten second warning is barely audible amidst the crowds cheers.  Manny scores with an uppercut and Mayweather responds with a hook to the body and a right to the head during a furious exchange as the final seconds tick off.  There's the bell.  This one's over.

Michael Buffer with the scores...

Dave Moretti scores the fight 116-113 .................................Mayweather

James Jen-Kin has it 115-113 ............................................Pacquiao

And Pat Russell scores it 115-114 for the winner by split decision...............................

Manny Pacquiao!

I hope you enjoyed that, and as mentioned above, I'll be taking requests for future dream match-ups.

e-mail Mark Lyons