20 years ago

Date: 8th May 2004

Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: WBA & IBF World Featherweight Titles

Promoter: Top Rank

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing

Juan Manuel Marquez
( 42 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 125 lbs

Manny Pacquiao
( 38 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 125 lbs

Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, two of the best featherweight boxers of their generation, squared off in a highly anticipated fight on May 8th, 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was promoted by Top Rank and featured Marquez defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) Featherweight Title for the first time and his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Title for the second time, while Pacquiao was defending The Ring Magazine Featherweight Title for the first time.

The fight started off with a bang as Pacquiao dropped Marquez with a powerful left hand in the opening round. However, Marquez showed tremendous resilience and battled back, using his superior counter-punching skills to keep Pacquiao at bay in the following rounds. The two fighters continued to exchange blows throughout the 12-round fight, with neither gaining a clear advantage.

At the end of the fight, judge Guy Jutras scored the fight 115-110 for Marquez, while judge John Stewart scored it 115-110 for Pacquiao. The third judge, Burt Clements, scored the fight a 113-113 tie. However, it was later revealed that Clements had made a mistake and scored the opening round 10-7 instead of 10-6, which would have given Pacquiao a split decision victory.