Alfred Sabaupan: The other ?Pacquiao? yearns to face Juan Manuel Marquez
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Jun 2012
Sabaupan.
Alfred Sabaupan simply fits the bill of what Juan Manuel Marquez wants. He is a southpaw, which is the foremost requirement by the legendary Mexican fighter. He is young and aggressive which is what Marquez likes in an opponent. And Sabaupan is also a Filipino, just like Marquez?s on-the-ring rival in Manny Pacquiao. But Al Sabaupan not only shares Manny Pacquiao?s nationality, he also shares his looks, literally.
The 23 year old fighter from Batangas, Philippines who is rumored to be currently on top of the list to face Juan Manuel Marquez on July 21st in Mexico is a dead ringer for the Filipino icon.
But that fight relies on one thing though. It can only happen if Marquez gets the nod to face Pacquiao for the fourth time later this year. That is according to Sabaupan?s manager and promoter, Elmer Anuran who like his ward is patiently waiting for an answer from Marquez and his promotional company.
?We are still waiting for the formal contract.? said Anuran. ?Last time I talked to Zanfer (Promotions), it looks like they are also considering Manny?s confirmation to fight Juan Ma in November. Ang parang lumalabas ngayon, kailangan nalang nilang ma-confirm iyong fight with Manny. Otherwise, posibleng hindi.? (It seems that they need to confirm the fight with Manny. Otherwise, it possibly may not happen.) added Anuran, who owns Saved by the Bell Promotions which Sabaupan belongs to.
Anuran believes that if Pacquiao does not choose Marquez as his next opponent for November, the fight with his ward may be called off. ?Sa aking personal assumptions, kung hindi siguro mag-confirm si Manny,magpapalit din ng kalaban si Marquez. (In my personal assumptions, if Manny does not confirm the fight, Marquez will also look for another opponent.) declared Anuran. ?There is no need to fight a Filipino southpaw like Al.
Pacquiao is supposed to meet Arum in Los Angeles this week and high in their agenda is the choice of the boxer?s opponent for November. Pacquiao verbalized in the past that he is looking at either a long postponed fight with Floyd Mayweather to finally happen or a rematch with Timothy Bradley who just took the Filipino?s WBO welterweight belt via a very controversial and questionable decision early this month or a fourth meeting with Marquez.
Anuran and his ward are anxiously waiting for news from the Marquez camp. Anuran stated ?that as soon as they (Zanfer Promotions) get the confirmation (of the Pacquiao bout), they will send the contract.? The Filipino promoter also doubts that due to the time constraints given their situation, the original July 21st date might also be moved. But he confirmed that the venue won?t change, which is in Marquez?s home country of Mexico.
Anuran disclosed that even if the fight with Marquez is unclear at this time, Sabaupan is not letting up on his daily training. ?Al is training and he really wants It.? said Anuran of his boxer, who admitted that they are the definite underdog to Marquez. He thinks Sabaupan?s gallant performance against Mexican Marvin Quintero last April in Mexico more than prepared his young boxer to fight in that country again.
Anuran believes that with the proper training and conditioning, Sabaupan will put up a good fight against the Mexican legend.
?Kasi with Quintero, five days before the fight lang kami dumating sa Mexico and yet maganda naman yung naging laban.? (Because with Quintero, we only arrived five days before the fight and yet he came up with a good fight.) disclosed Anuran. He also revealed that Sabaupan had diarrhea on their first day in Mexico which affected Sabaupan?s conditioning and power in the Quintero fight. Anuran also believes that his fighter?s adrenalin on the night of the fight and the hunger to win will carry Sabaupan in his fight with Marquez if it pushes through.
Anuran and Sabaupan is really hoping that they will get a call from Marquez?s representatives confirming the good news. ?My boxer really wants it, this is a golden opportunity for my boxer.? asserted Anuran. ?This is a great opportunity not only in the sense that Marquez is a great fighter and a Hall of Famer but it may also be right timing for a young fighter like Al Sabaupan. We are really hoping that we get it.?
Sabaupan meantime continues to train under the watchful eyes of local trainer Benny dela Pena, while waiting for the formal announcement of this bout. I asked him what he thinks of this fight with Marquez of which he replied ?Sa tingin ko po mahirap talaga ang laban nato para sakin na baguhan, pero sa tulong po ng nasa Taas,wala pong imposible. ( I think this will be a hard fight for a young fighter like me, but with God?s help, nothing is impossible.)
Sabaupan also said that he is not intimidated by Marquez and that he is even excited about the fight. He also does not worry about returning to Mexico to fight Marquez , ? Excited nga po ako, kasi magaganda ang mga Mexicana.? he answered jokingly. ?Joke lang po.?
Sabaupan promised that he will put up a good fight against his much favored opponent knowing that he represents his country and his ?kababayans.?
And when asked, what his plan will be against Marquez that night, he once again jokingly replied, ?Magmamano po muna ako. Joke lang po.? (I will kiss his hand first. I am only joking.)
?Mano? is a Filipino gesture similar to hand kissing to show respect to their elders.
Sabaupan then said that he plans not to rush things inside the ring and not to be too overly excited when in there. ?Sasabay-sabayan ko lang muna siya.? (I will play it out with him first.)
Anuran also affirmed their stand that if the fight materializes, it will be for Marquez?s WBO light welterweight belt. ?Yun lang ang kondisyon sa part namin.? (That is the only condition in our part.) he said.
It seems that Al Sabaupan does not only share Manny Pacquiao?s physical features, he will also share Pacquiao?s biggest rival in the ring as well.
But that will depend on the real Manny Pacquiao.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reaction to this piece.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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