MANILA, Philippines — International matchmaker Rex ?Wakee? Salud is usually cautious when predicting the results of Manny Pacquiao?s fights.
Salud sounded sure and confident, however, of the Filipino ring superstar?s victory in his rematch against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
He picks Pacquiao to easily beat Marquez on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay and Casino in Las Vegas.
?I expect Manny to beat Marquez easily,? Salud, a close friend and confidant of Pacquiao, told the Inquirer on the phone yesterday.
?This is the longest time Pacquiao has ever prepared for a fight and I?ve never seen him so focused,? said Salud, who has produced three world champions in brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry Pe?alosa and Malcolm Tu?acao.
?There were distractions in his previous fights, but now there?s none.?
Salud said Pacquiao called him recently to say that everything is going on smoothly as far as his training at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood is concerned.
?Iba talaga ang lakas niya ngayon (Pacquiao has packed more power this time),? said Salud. ?Di niya kakayanin (Marquez can?t withstand it).?
Salud should know.
He had seen Pacquiao in training before, the longest and closest at his very own gym in Cebu City during the lefty?s preparations for Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera last year.
Salud watched from ringside Pacquiao-Marquez I — which ended in a controversial draw in 2004, even though Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the first round — and noted several changes in both fighters.
He said Pacquiao now packs a mean wallop in both hands, unlike before when ?he was basically a southpaw.?
While giving credence to Marquez?s counter-punching prowess, Salud said Pacquiao and Roach have thoroughly studied the footage of Pacquiao-Marquez I and are sure to adopt a different strategy for the 12-round fight that stakes the Mexican?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.
Salud?s sharp, discerning eyes also noted Marquez?s slower punches.
He said the 29-year-old Pacquiao is on his peak while Marquez, at 34, may no longer be as sharp as when he first fought the Filipino.
?That?s the bottom line,? said Salud.
Pacquiao?s wife, Jingkee, will be planing back to Manila from Los Angeles on Tuesday, he said. Like Jingkee, Salud will fly back to the United States early next month to join Pacquiao in the final phase of his training.
