Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas (FOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Nov 2011
LAS VEGAS - Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight world champion , made his grand entrance today at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas ahead of his stellar mega fight against unified lightweight champion, Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez.
Pacquiao, who was accompanied of his team was greeted by reporters and hundreds of boxing fans who waited for him with applause and shouts of "Manny, Manny, Manny ..."
Philippines ladies wearing the national costume of their country chanted the name of the Filipino and took pictures while another group of young people held a Philippine flag that read "Pacquiao for President", which made Manny Pacquiao smile. Pacquiao who is now congressman the Philippines, will be 33-years old this December 7.
In this grand arrival in Las Vegas, Pacquiao was accompanied by his trainer Freddy Roach, his promoter Bob Arum and his two top aides Canadian Michael Koncz and the Filipino lawyer Franklin Gacal.
The popular "Pacman" gave interviews to media specializing in boxing and later took a few minutes to pose with some of their delirious fans who never stopped chanting his name.
During the interviews, Pacquiao said he was in excellent physical condition and assured that he will defeat the Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez made his grand entrance to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the day yesterday (Monday November 7).
"I'm in good shape and ready to defeat Marquez again. If I can knock out Marquez, that would be the great reward for my hard work," said Pacquiao who wore a red and blue sweatshirt and in the back the reading "Manny Pacquiao".
Pacquiao began his training for this fight in the high elevation of Baguio City in his native Philippines. The arduous sparring sessions and finishing touches for the preparation of the Filipino were held in Los Angeles at the Wild Card Gym owned by his trainer Freddy Roach.
Freddy Roach answered questions about the preparation of his ward. The renowned coach assured that Manny undergoing excellent the moment in his career as a fighter. "Manny is now much stronger and faster. His power has increased. He is a better fighter now than a few years ago when he fought Marquez," said Roach who in his youth was a fighter and last May received the award for "Best trainer of the year 2010."
Dr. Plutarco Garcia (photo above), personal physician of Juan Manuel Marquez, who was among the crowd that saw the arrival of Pacquiao at MGM, said that his boxer Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez is in good shape, resting in his room on the MGM, within the proper weight and well served by he and his team, led by legendary coach nicknamed "King Midas" Don Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain.
With a smile on his face the famed Mexican physician commented to Philboxing: "we just wait for Saturday night because we will beat Pacquiao."
Pacquiao is considered the top pound for pound fighter. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is another of the greatest fighters of today and both are champions at welterweight.
Juan Manuel Marquez is also among the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
While the grand entry of Pacquiao passed, Top Rank's shop in the lobby of the MGM Grand did not stop selling T-shirts, hats, gloves, flags and posters of this great battle, labelled to be one of the most interesting trilogies in the history of boxing.
Legendary promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank confirm that Wednesday morning will be held November 9 main press conference to be attended Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and promoter of this fight. The conference will be held at the Hollywood Theater at MGM Grand Hotel at 12:30 pm (Las Vegas).
Philboxing will be present to cover this important presscon. Weigh-in for Pacquiao and Marquez will be this Friday at the MGM Grand Arena at 3:00pm (Las Vegas time).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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