MARQUEZ ARRIVING TOMORROW TO 'INVADE' THE PHILIPPINES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 05 Apr 2008
Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez is arriving early Sunday morning aboard the same flight as celebrated trainer Freddie Roach to watch the big ?Invasion? fight card headlined by the WBO bantamweight title fight between Gerry Penalosa and former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin a couple of hours later at the Araneta Coliseum.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Marquez may see Pacquiao who will be at special ringside and ?challenge him to a rematch. Maybe he will.?
When we made the announcement of Marquez's arrival during the official weigh-in Saturday there was applause and a buzz among the media and fans who crowded the Gateway Mall to see the fighters and watch the proceedings.
Gomez said that Marquez said he wanted to ?go out there (to the Philippines) because I have gotten so much support from the Filipino people and I want to thank them personally.?
Marquez, who lost his WBC super featherweight title in a split decision to Pacquiao last March 15 which most journalists and fight fans claimed could have gone either way, is on his first visit to the Philippines and indicated he ?just wanted to enjoy the show.? Gomez said ?a lot of people in the Philippines supported him, they really like his style, the way he fights and some people are saying he won and he just wants to come over and say thank you.?
Gomez guaranteed that there wouldn?t be ?anything disrespectful? because they are both ?nice guys and champions and at the end of the day they both are respectful of each other and there?s not going to be anything disrespectful whatsoever.?
Responding to the statements of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who doesn?t want a Pacquiao-Marquez rematch right now Gomez said ?I have to disagree because I don?t think it's Bob Arum?s decision. I think its Manny?s decision. If Manny wants a rematch he?ll have it. He is the boss. He can go to Arum and say, you know what I don?t want to fight David Diaz, I want Marquez.? Gomez stressed that if Pacquiao doesn?t fight Marquez, ?its because Manny doesn?t want to.?
Gomez said that Marquez was initially concerned at what kind of reception he would get sincePacquiao is a national hero but Gomez said Filipinos were great fight fans and are certain to treat him well just like Erik ?El Terrible? Morales who received a tremendous welcome on his trip to the Philippines.
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