LAS VEGAS, Nevada—The first time they met, Manny Pacquiao put Juan Manuel Marquez on the defensive end and nearly nailed him right in the first round.
Trainer Freddie Roach has instructed his prized ward to do the same in their rematch on Saturday, with slight variations, of course.
“We’ll make it a war,” said Roach after the weigh-in of Pacquiao-Marquez II on Friday. “We’ll put pressure right from the opening bell.”
Pacquiao intends to exploit his edge in speed and power by rushing Marquez, who boasted that he has covered all bases with legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio “Alex” Beristain, who has produced 16 world champions.
Marquez said he will have an answer to whatever Pacquiao offers, that he will be able to adapt to Pacquiao’s fighting style and that he is ready to go toe-to-toe with the Filipino ring superstar if necessary.
Roach, a two-time trainer of the year awardee, scoffs at the claims saying that Pacquiao is in great shape and is ready for war.
“We’ll take it to him (Marquez),” said Roach, who believes that Pacquiao has grown stronger and better since the first Pacquiao-Marquez encounter held May 8, 2004.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, observed that Marquez was a little slower in his last two victories over Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, respectively.
“I hope he doesn’t run,” said Pacquiao, who’s aiming to become the first Filipino and Asian three-time champion in three divisions. “If he does the fight will be boring.”
After making weight at 129 pounds Friday, Pacquiao said he intends to bulk up to 143-144 come fight time to exploit his natural weight advantage over Marquez, who surprisingly checked in at 130.
“I’ll go all out for a win,” said Pacquiao. “The knockout will be a bonus if it comes.”
Meanwhile, for Diosdado Gabi, just making the weight in his North American Boxing Organization title bout against unbeaten Mexican Abner Mares on Saturday was a reward in itself.
Over six pounds above the 122-lb limit with barely four days to go before Friday’s weigh-in, Gabi had to drastically cut his food and water intake.
The Gabi-Mares encounter is in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch for the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown on Saturday.
Another Filipino, Michael Farenas, is also seeing action against Mexican Baudel Cardenas in the featherweight class.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada called up the Inquirer and denied he was here to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.
Estrada said he is currently in Bohol, where he plans to spend the Holy Week.
Trainer Freddie Roach has instructed his prized ward to do the same in their rematch on Saturday, with slight variations, of course.
“We’ll make it a war,” said Roach after the weigh-in of Pacquiao-Marquez II on Friday. “We’ll put pressure right from the opening bell.”
Pacquiao intends to exploit his edge in speed and power by rushing Marquez, who boasted that he has covered all bases with legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio “Alex” Beristain, who has produced 16 world champions.
Marquez said he will have an answer to whatever Pacquiao offers, that he will be able to adapt to Pacquiao’s fighting style and that he is ready to go toe-to-toe with the Filipino ring superstar if necessary.
Roach, a two-time trainer of the year awardee, scoffs at the claims saying that Pacquiao is in great shape and is ready for war.
“We’ll take it to him (Marquez),” said Roach, who believes that Pacquiao has grown stronger and better since the first Pacquiao-Marquez encounter held May 8, 2004.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, observed that Marquez was a little slower in his last two victories over Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, respectively.
“I hope he doesn’t run,” said Pacquiao, who’s aiming to become the first Filipino and Asian three-time champion in three divisions. “If he does the fight will be boring.”
After making weight at 129 pounds Friday, Pacquiao said he intends to bulk up to 143-144 come fight time to exploit his natural weight advantage over Marquez, who surprisingly checked in at 130.
“I’ll go all out for a win,” said Pacquiao. “The knockout will be a bonus if it comes.”
Meanwhile, for Diosdado Gabi, just making the weight in his North American Boxing Organization title bout against unbeaten Mexican Abner Mares on Saturday was a reward in itself.
Over six pounds above the 122-lb limit with barely four days to go before Friday’s weigh-in, Gabi had to drastically cut his food and water intake.
The Gabi-Mares encounter is in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch for the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown on Saturday.
Another Filipino, Michael Farenas, is also seeing action against Mexican Baudel Cardenas in the featherweight class.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada called up the Inquirer and denied he was here to watch the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.
Estrada said he is currently in Bohol, where he plans to spend the Holy Week.
source: By Roy Luarca Philippine Daily Inquirer
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