BY KAHLER BILLINGHURST

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have created one of the best rivalries in modern boxing. With their first two matches ending in a draw and a narrow win for Pacquiao, respectively, their third fight had built incredible hype leading up to the match.
 

Here is a Sports Illustrated clip building anticipation for the match.
 

“When Manny Paqcuiao and Juan Manuel Marquez step into the ring on November 12, not only will they be renewing this centuries greatest boxing rivalry, they will be joining a select group of boxers who have fought one another three times.”
 

So with the world watching, how did the third fight end? Lets just say there was plenty to talk about afterward. Randy Howe of KSNV NBC recaps the fight.
 

“Marquez came out, stood toe to toe with Pac man, even frustrated the champ with some huge counter punches, even opened a cut over Pacquiao’s eye, and Manny was swallowing blood, bleeding in the mouth. When the fight was over the crowd was in shock, thinking they had saw Manny Pacquiao lose for the first time since 2005. Instead two judges gave Pacquiao the win, one judge called it a draw.”

It was hardly the decisive victory the Philippine superstar said he was looking for. Yahoo Sports’ Martin Rogers felt boxing fans were cheated by the decision.
 

“It was a tremendous fight, both guys gave absolutely everything that they had, but a decision like this does nothing for the credibility of this sport. I could understand how one judge had it tied at 114, but how one judge had it four points ahead to Pacuqiao defies belief.”
 

While ESPN’s Dan Rafeal recognized the closeness of the bout, he believes Marquez could have buried his opponent and avoided the ensuing controversy.
 

“And if you take a look at the scorecards, had Marquez fought very, very hard in the 12th round, which he didn't, he would have won the fight, if he would have won on the two judges score cards that gave Pacquiao the 12th round.”

The significance of this fight goes beyond the title Pacquiao retained. The BBC’s Steve Bunce says, considering where Pacquiao is headed next, the outcome looks even more suspicious.
 

“I don’t just think the wrong decision was made, I think this will lead to a full-on inquiry…What was at stake was a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather if Pacquiao won, a fight that is expected to generate $400m for the gambling industry in Las Vegas.”
 

Despite the polarizing finish to Pacquiao-Marquez, the boxing world still yearns for THE dream match. If this fantasy is to become reality, Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel says Money Mayweather has to strike now.

“If I’m Floyd Mayweather and I’m now worried about the leverage that comes along with a Marquez fourth fight, I’m dropping any kind of hurdle to this, I’m doing anything I can to make this fight happen.”