MARQUEZ WARNS PACQUIAO NOT TO TAKE IT EASY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 16 Aug 2007
WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez has warned Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao not to take it easy in his preparations just because he mauled legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in their first meeting in San Antonio, Texas in November 2003.
Well known boxing writer James Blears of boxingscene.com informned Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had spoken to Marquez who is training for his September 15 title defense against Rocky Juarez and that Marquez said “if Manny thinks this is going to be an easy fight against Marco and he’s easing off his training, it could be a wrong step in his career.”
Blears reported that Marquez is “still mystified” why Pacquiao who is the mandatory challenger to the 130 pound title is fighting Barrera first. However, he quoted Marquez as saying “the WBC has put Manny as my number one challenger but it seems he doesn’t want to fight. Who knows why, but its been done in a business way. I think he thought he would put two checks in his pocket instead of one. Marco (Barrera) first and if he wins, possibly a fight with me.”
Marquez said Pacquiao had already fought both Barrera and him. “He knocked out Barrera but we drew and I think that Manny is bearing that in mind, namely that he will have an easy fight with Marco.”
The reigning super featherweight champion who was decked three times in the opening round but salvaged a controversial draw against Pacquiao in 2004 has tremendous respect for Pacquiao saying “Manny is a heavy hitter. He also boxes differently from all other Filipino fighters and his southpaw style is a difficult one."
Marquez added that "for a fight against Manny you have to prepare really well because its always going to be very hard. But his power tends to diminish after six or seven rounds. The best way to defeat Pacquiao is to box him. Connect your punches with speed and power, not to get caught and above all to use intelligence.”
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