PACQUIAO AND MARQUEZ SAID TO BE IN TOP SHAPE, BOTH PROMISE VICTORIES (MORE PRESSCON PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Dec 2012
LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Boxing super stars Manny Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38KO's) and Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39KO's) promised victories during today's final press conference ahead of their 12-round clash for the "WBO Champion of the Decade" Belt this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bob Arum anticipates that the fight will be "spectacular," even better than the previous three fights, mainly because none of the fighters want to leave the work of deciding the winner in the hands of judges.
Marquez speaking both in Spanish and English promised in both languages that this Saturday's clash will be an all out "war" that no fan should miss. "I want to say thanks to team Pacquiao for accepting this rematch. It will be a violent fight, a tough fight. I know Pacquiao so as well. And he knows me too. I have trained really hard and I am ready."
Pacquiao also said to be ready and thanks to fans. "I must say thanks to fans. Without them, I am not Manny Pacquiao. Without them (fans), we wouldn't be here," said the hugely popular Pacman, who remind the audience that the undercard fights are exciting fights as well.
Hall of Famer trainers Freddy Roach and don Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain assured the audience at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theater that their fighters are in top physical shape for the much awaited combat.
Marquez training was entirely in his native Mexico City at "La Romanza Gym," the training facility of his long-time coach the legendary "Nacho" Berist?in, 73, one of the greatest trainers in the history of boxing, himself a boxer in his younger years.
So both Pacquiao and Marquez are said to be in excellent condition.
Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez (five years older than the Filipino icon), has been lifting weight to develop strength, though at 39 years of age some analysts wonder if that is a wise thing to do.
"Lifting those heavy weights go along with boxing? commented to this authoer Mr. Horacio one of Pacquiao's photographers, who incidentally is from Mexico.
"Boxing greats like Leonard, Hagler, Duran did not lift those heavy weights during their trainings, and they were tough as rocks and they could punch so hard. So, that insistence on Marquez to do weightlifting....I just wonder if its a good idea. Maybe its good for Marquez. We'll find out."
On the other hand, Pacquiao has gone through a successful training regime at the Wild Card Gym and is reported to be in the best shaped he could be.
For Pacquiao-Marquez 3 in November of last year, it was reported that the Pacman suffered some cramps and that his mind was not in the right focus prior to his fierce 12-rounds battle with Marquez, also at the MGM Grand.
"This time all is under control," assured Horacio.
"I have seen him in the gym with Freddy doing those stuff day after day, seen it with my own eyes. I've seen what Manny can do when he is in good shape... and he is in good shape. Eating well, relaxed. No weight problems at all. Could not be better," said the veteran boxing photographer Horacio, a Mexican-American who lives in Santa Anita, California.
As a matter of fact, during today's presser, Pacquiao was repeatedly spotted drinking water, which leads to believe that the Filipino Congressman and future Hall of Fame has his weight in perfect control two days prior to the weight-in ceremony, a sharp contrast with Pacquiao's past struggles with weight during the years he used to fight in lower weight classes.
The weight-in ceremony will be Friday Dec 7, 2:30pm at the MGM Grand Arena.
Photos and report by Carlos Costa, Philboxing primary correspondent for Pacquiao-Marquez4.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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