MARQUEZ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: "I PREFER PACQUIAO TO WIN AGAINST HATTON SO WE CAN FIGHT AT 140"
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Mar 2009
Mexico City, Mexico (March 1, 2009) ? As luck had it, the long lay over at the airport was a blessing in disguise. At the Benito Juarez International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico) earlier this afternoon, I had the good fortune of being granted an interview by no less than World Champion Juan Manuel Marquez (JMM). JMM defeated Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz in Houston, Texas by a brutal Knockout using a perfectly timed right uppercut last night (Saturday, Feb. 28), in front of a hometown crowd at the Toyota Center. JMM arrived from a direct international flight via Continental Airlines around 2:30 pm. I wish to thank his teammate Gabriel Cordero who helped me get access to the Mexican warrior who was very accommodating and generous of his time.
The Champion Juan Manuel Marquez appeared relaxed, fresh and contented. He slipped into Mexico City International Airport without any fanfare and went directly to the parking garage after meeting his family (kids) at the arrival area. He arrived with key Team Marquez members without his main ?Hall of Fame? Trainer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristein who according to them was in El Paso, Texas. Team Marquez member Gabriel Cordero was kind enough to drop me off back to the Domestic Airport pre-departure area in time for my connecting flight to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
Here?s how the interview went with Juan Manuel Marquez:
Dr. Recto ? Congratulations Juan Manuel on another excellent performance last night and welcome back to your country Mexico. How do you feel?
Juan Manuel Marquez (JMM) ? I feel very good and very happy. I trained very hard for this fight and I am happy I came back with the world championship belts.
Dr. Recto ? Did you think that you would knock him (Juan Diaz) out?
JMM ? I knew that it was going to be a tough fight and it was going to be very hard to win him by points due to the fact that it was in his hometown. I knew I needed a knock out to win; I look for it, saw the moment and executed it.
Dr. Recto ? Were you surprised that Juan Diaz put pressure on you?
JMM ? No, Nacho told me that he was going to pressure me that?s why I was ready.
Dr. Recto ? Do you consider yourself currently the best lightweight?
JMM ? Of course, because I knocked out who was supposed to be the best!
Dr. Recto ? Is it worth it being world champion again?
JMM ? Yes, I enjoy all the training and the outcome.
Dr. Recto ? You now have several belts WBA, WBO & IBO and the Ring Magazine title, where do you see yourself in the pound per pound list?
Juan Manuel Marquez ? I don?t decide that?I leave that to the people?they are the ones that know and I can?t say if I am number 1 or number 2?. They are the ones that decide.
Dr. Recto ? How do you feel being in the select group of triple championship titleholder?
JMM ? Well, for me, it is an honor to be at the same rank or position as Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in that select or elite group.
Dr. Recto ? After your win, what?s your plan or next move realistically?
JMM ? Now, I solved my fight & won and I will wait for the result of the fight between Hatton & Pacquiao?but I prefer to fight Manny Pacquiao?. Now, I can move on to 140 lbs. and fight either Ricky Hatton or Manny Pacquiao.
Dr. Recto ? If the fight happens, will it be in November or December?
JMM ? Whenever?but let?s just do it!
Dr. Recto ? Who do you think will win between Pacquiao and Hatton?
JMM ? I prefer Pacquiao.
Dr. Recto - Do you think Manny Pacquiao will be the heavy favorite in this fight?
JMM ? No, I don?t think Pacquiao should be a huge favorite ?but he is faster?and Hatton just fights frontal?and Manny Pacquiao has bigger chances to win.
Dr. Recto ? Any message to Manny Pacquiao and the Filipino people?
JMM ? Yes, to accept a fight with me for the good of the sport and for the good of the people?I was treated well when I came to the Philippines?. I am happy for the support of the people and I am willing to fight Manny Pacquiao.
Dr. Recto ? Juan Manuel, I know you are tired ?Again Congratulations on a spectacular win?I want to thank you for your time and for this interview. Best of luck to you!
Note: Also, special thanks to Laredo based Sports photographer Reiver Rodriguez who did the translation between JMM and me.
Top photo: Newly crowned lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (L) poses with the author at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico Sunday. Photo by Reiver Rodriguez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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