I don?t want to disappoint my countrymen, Pacquiao declares
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Mar 2008
LAS VEGAS ? For refusing to use harsh words to describe his title fight with World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and for declining to predict the outcome of the much-awaited rematch dubbed ?Unfinished Business? during the final press conference at the House of Blues Foundation Room of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino here last March 12, world title challenger Manny Pacquiao has earned the respect of Mexican fight fans.
Both Pacquiao, 29, and Marcquez, 34, were given the chance to speak at the jampacked press conference at past 11 o?clock in the morning attended by representatives from the Top Rank headed by Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions led by Richard Schaffer, Romanza Boxing Producations, Tecate, Rock Star Energy and Southwest Airlines.
?I acknowledge that Marquez is one of the best fighters in the world today but I will not disappoint my countrymen especially that what my country needs today is unity,? Pacquiao said. ?I need to win this fight for my country and my countrymen.?
The three-division champion from General Santos City, Philippines refused to predict a knockout victory saying he will only do his best to win. He earned applause.
For his part, Marquez (45-3-2 (34 KOs), said he will defend his WBC crown ?with my blood? expressing strong confidence of beating the fighter dubbed as ?the Mexican killer.?
Earlier in the program, Marquez promoter Richard Schaefer said although Pacquiao is known for his strong punch and speed, he is giving Marquez the upper hand in skills and tactics.
?Marquez is an accomplished fighter and his age is not a big factor in the fight because he does not drink and he does not smoke,? Scaffer said.
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) boxing chief, Dr. Nasser Cruz, who missed the press conference because he had no ?temporary? credentials, said Pacquiao was just being consistent when he did not antagonize the Mexican people.
?That?s why the Mexicans also love and respect Pacquiao because instead of waging war against them, he even told them in one interview that God bless Mexico,? Cruz said.
Davao phenom Diosdado Gabi, meanwhile, stole the limelight, when he almost brought the house down with his broken English albeit sincere statement when he thanked all the people responsible for giving him the opportunity to fight for 12 rounds in the undercard versus unbeaten Abner Mares of Guadalajara, Mexico for the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) bantamweight championship.
Lightweight superstar David Diaz will face Ramon Montano in a 10-round non-title duel underneath the program which will be aired by HBO on a pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. on March 15.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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