LAS VEGAS - In one of the most exciting weigh-in ceremonies ever staged in Las Vegas, superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexican challenger Juan Manuel ?Dinamita? Marquez easily made their respective weights at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas in advance of their super blockbuster showdown of tomorrow.
The amazingly popular ?Pacman? registered 143 lbs, while Marquez recorded 142 lbs, both marks well under the contracted catch weight of 144 pounds, thus setting the stage for the most anticipated fight of the year.
Pacquiao?s weight was two pounds lower than in his last outing of May, making it clear that the Filipino sensation plans to rely on his thunderous speed as one of his principal weapons against the very skillful Marquez.
Meanwhile, Juan Manuel (53-5-1, 39KO?s) l came seven pounds heavier than his best fighting weight, as the Mexican is a natural lightweight fighter as a unified lightweight world champion.
During the entertaining ceremony, both fighters were accompanied by their teams and looked extremely sharp, confident and strong, obviously in perfect physical conditions for which tomorrow?s fight promises to be a thriller.
That?s why hundreds of enthusiastic Filipino and Mexican aficionados of all ages, waving flags waited hours outside the Arena to have the chance to get in to support their fighting heroes.
However, the Filipino Congressman is widely favorite in all sport bookies.
Betting experts see little chance for Marquez to defeat the welterweight champion. Odds are as low as just -650 favoring Marquez, while a comfortable +950 for Pacquiao.
But the 3-division world champion Mexican has said that those odds against him do not distract him. Instead, he has assured that he is confident in his skills, strength, and will win with ?intelligence, making a smart fight?.
Plus, the Mexican is in a great condition and has developed the appropriate weight to face the Pacman.
Weightlifting is how Marquez has added those extra pounds. The extra pounds will make the great Juan Manuel slower and ineffective?
That?s a possibility. But Marquez keeps intact his old goal: to claim the victory that was negated to him. Because in the mind of Marquez he won both prior fights against the Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38KO?s).
In fact, there are fans and boxing scribes that think that Marquez won those two combats.
In the first battle between Pacquiao and Marquez on May 8, 2004, in this same scenario, the result was a draw. At that time the WBA world featherweight belt as well as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) where at stake. Marquez retained his titles.
Almost four years later, on March 15, 2008 also in Las Vegas, but at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the two gladiators met again.
The second time, the "Pacman" won in a tight split decision, and thus snatched the world title super featherweight World Boxing Council (WBC) from Juan Manuel Marquez
Three years later the trilogy is about to get completed.
For that, Pacquiao will have the privilege and advantage to count in his corner one of the most decorated trainers in modern boxing history: Freddy Roach, while Marquez will have the assistance of legendary Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain, who has been his trainer during his whole boxing career.
As conceded by Beristain, Pacquiao has notably improved his fighting ways since his last fight with his kid Marquez.
?Pacquiao is a spectacular fighter, a fighter we all like to see in action, a fighter who is eager to satisfy fans and he is a great boxer. But Marquez is great as well. It will be an exciting combat. We?ll have a unexpected surprise for this great Filipino champion?, said Nacho yesterday during a talk with boxing reporters.
Beristain is one of greatest strategist in today?s boxing and knows Pacquiao so well.
?I have seen Pacquiao in action by ringside and I have spent hours seeing tapes of his fights. There are always ways to defeat a fighter, nobody is unbeatable,? shared Beristain who in his youth was a bantamweight fighters and has made 23 world champions for Mexico.
Nacho has also been the head trainer of the Mexican Olympic team. No doubt his experience is a great plus for Juan Manuel.
Meanwhile, Freddy Roach is of the opinion that Marqueaz has chanced his style from a talented counter pouncher to a more aggressive fighter.
?Marquez was a exquisite counter puncher. Counter punching is a science and and art and its beautiful. And Marquez could it so well. But recently Juan Manuel has deviated from that style that made him so successful,? shared Roach. ?If he comes aggressive towards Manny, he (Marquez) will be knocked out.
Plus, Manny today is not the same wild banger who faced Marquez before. At that time Pacquiao depended heavily on his left straight. At his 32 years of age the Filipino is now a more clever combatant and he's still improving.
Would the 38-year-old talented Juan Manuel Marquez had the necessary weapons to defeat, even knocked out the Sarangani fighting congressman?
Has the many political and showbiz activities of Pacquiao diverted his attention from boxing making him more vulnerable to a dangerous foe?
Well find out soon enough.
Officials designated by the WBO: the referee Tony Weeks. Judges are Dave Moretti, Glenn Trowbridge and Robert Hoyle.
