JACA SAYS HE KNOWS HOW TO BEAT MARQUEZ
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Oct 2006
CEBU CITY--Reigning Philippine super-featherweight champion Jimrex 'The Executioner' Jaca has definitely learned some important lessons from his friend Manny Pacquiao, and this he says he will use when he tangles with Juan Manuel Marquez for the latter's World Boxing Organization interim featherweight title on October 21 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
In an exclusive interview yesterday inside the Wakee Salud Gym, the Dumaguete City-born, Sibulan-raised Jaca even joked that commercial endorsers should now start keeping track of his contact numbers, as a win over the fancied Marquez will definitely set off his career into the level of Pacquiao.
Marquez to do a Lehlo
"I have seen his previous fights on tape, and he is a great fighter. But I am training very hard for this fight, and if my punches start landing, he will do a Lehlo Ledwaba," said Jaca, referring to the highly-popular South African fighter who was knocked down by Pacquiao several times to earn for the Filipino his world acclaim.
Asked how he plans to beat such a world-class counter-puncher like Marquez, the 23-year-old Jaca said he has the formula, and his team knows what to do. "He is good, but he is old," Jaca said, referring to his 33-year-old foe.
"He has tremendous power, much younger, and definitely hungrier," was how Salud described his ward's chances. "I know Marquez will be the huge favorite, but if Jaca can bring his A-game, then we can party," added the wealthy businessman.
Mountain runs
"He runs in the Maghaway mountains in Talisay City, and in Sta. Lucia three times a week when not sparring," butts in adviser Anol Jaca, who discovered Jimrex and turned him into a disciplined warrior. "But on sparring days, he runs in the flat terrains, so there will be no stamina problems for Jimrex," Anol Jaca added.
Rex 'Wakee' Salud, who manages Jaca, lined up three fighters--JR Sollano, Roel Laguna, and Van Bantilan--to spar with his prized protege, and had arranged for an October 13 appointment for Jaca, trainer Robert Bubuli and Anol Jaca for their visa interview at the US Embassy.
"After they get their US visa, they will immediately fly to Los Angeles," said Salud. "Jimrex now weighs 134 lbs, so making the 126-lb featherweight limit will be a breeze," he added.
Roach assistant to train Jaca
American trainer Eric Brown, an assistant to the very busy Freddie Roach, is reportedly being tapped to train Jaca at the Wild Card Gym, upon request by the fighter himself.
"Jimrex liked how Eric Brown handled him in his American debut," said trainer Bubuli, referring to Jaca's first-round destruction of Geronimo Hernandez last January 21 in Las Vegas.
"He's cool yet calculating. We have a good working chemistry. I hope this works against Marquez," Jaca said, describing Brown.
Above Photo: Jimrex Jaca (center) poses with trainers Anol Jaca (left) and Jun Bubuli (right) at the Wakee Salud Gym Saturday. The trio are set to depart for the United States next week where Jaca is scheduled to face Mexican featherweight Juan Manuel Marquez on October 21. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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