PacMan, Marquez save best for last in trilogy
Manny Pacquiao's two epic slugfests with Juan Manuel Marquez forced "PacMan"
to become a better fighter even as an inability to win haunted Marquez
and pushed the Mexican to improve himself.
When the rivals fight for the third time today, weeks of inspired
training and tough words might just produce the greatest bout in the
trilogy.
"This will be the best of the three fights with the way these guys
are getting ready," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "Manny has come
a long way since those fights. Manny has fought some perfect fights.
"I don't think this fight will go the distance."
Filipino icon Pacquiao, 53-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, will
defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Marquez,
53-5 with one drawn and 39 knockouts.
Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their
first fight in 2004 but Marquez rose and rallied to earn a draw, keeping
his featherweight world title in the process.
In 2008, Pacquiao knocked Marquez to the canvas in the third round
and took a 12-round split decision, each fighter ahead 115-112 in the
eyes of one judge with the third scoring Pacquiao a 114-113 winner.
Marquez feels he won both fights and was robbed of rightful triumphs,
comments that Pacquiao says have motivated him to train harder to show
once and for all he is the superior fighter.
"He's upset about me saying I won the first two fights. I'm just as
upset I didn't get the decisions I deserved," Marquez said. "I'm just as
motivated as he is. We're going to cure any doubts about who won those
first two fights.
"The third fight will show who is the best."
Marquez, 38, wore a T-shirt in the Philippines declaring he beat
Pacquiao twice, what Roach calls a slap in the face that has produced
the greatest training camp yet by the 32-year-old Asian southpaw.
"This fight is real important to me," Pacquiao said. "I have to end
all the issues, all the doubts in people's minds about me beating him.
"I do not blame Marquez or his fans. Yes, the fights were close. This
fight will not be close."
Ignacio Beristain, Marquez's Hall of Fame trainer, sees major changes
in both fighters since they last climbed into the ring against each
other.
"Pacquiao has become a more technical fighter, better than he was, a
more complete fighter," Beristain said. "His punches are now technically
better. He's not as wild as he used to be.
He has learned a lot of new techniques and he's doing them better,
especially the right hook.
"Juan Manuel has matured as a fighter, gotten to a higher level. I
think you will see a great fight. I think Juan Manuel will fight like
he's 24."
Pacquiao says he is better as well.
"I've improved my techniques, I'm more experienced and I've developed
my right hand," Pacquiao said. "I've improved my power since the last
fight."
Marquez had pushed for an immediate rematch in 2008 but Bob Arum,
Pacquiao's promoter, said no. Now the day has come and the payoff is
bigger than it would have been then at $30 million for Pacquiao and $5
million for Marquez.
"I don't think the people were going to watch again right away,"
Pacquiao said. "Boxing is also a business. You have to make money."
Marquez has made peace with that delay.
"I asked myself why not an immediate rematch," Marquez said. "But the
fight is here and I'm 100 percent ready." AFP
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Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Dapidran Pacquiao (born on December 17, 1978) is a
Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first
eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well
as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight
classes. He was named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s by the
Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time
The Ring and BWAA “Fighter of the Year”, winning the award in 2006,
2008, and 2009.
Currently, Pacquiao is the WBO Welterweight World Champion (Super
Champion) and currently rated as the “number one” pound-for-pound best
boxer in the world.
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Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel Marquez (born August 23, 1973) is a Mexican professional
boxer. He is the fourth Mexican-born boxer to become a three-division
world champion, where he won eight world titles in three different
boxing weight classes.
Currently, Marquez is the WBA Super, WBO and The Ring Lightweight
World Champion. Ring Magazine currently rates Marquez as the number five
pound-for-pound boxer in the world. |