After having great difficulty making 130 lbs against Marco Antonio Barrera last October, Manny Pacquiao?s weight, far ahead of his March 15 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, might just turn out to be a weighty issue.
Can he still make it?
?Yes, he can,? assured one Pacquiao?s many advisers, Wakee Salud, who added that making the weight for what could be the Pinoy boxer?s last fight as a super-featherweight shouldn?t be a problem.
?He came in too heavy when he reported for his first day of training for the Barrera fight. Malaki siya noon. And he only trained six weeks in Los Angeles, as he started out training in Cebu,? said Salud yesterday.
Pacquiao?s weight created quite a stir in the final days heading to the Barrera fight that on the eve of the official weigh-in the Filipino superstar was said to be a couple more pounds over the limit.
Pacquiao did make the weight, and beat Barrera in 12 rounds. But shortly after, even Pacquiao said that should be his last fight at 130 lbs. ? until the doors opened for a rematch with Marquez.
Still, Pacquiao is bent on moving up in weight, and according to his promoter, Bob Arum, up next for the 29-year-old brawler is WBC lightweight (135 lbs) champion David Diaz in June or July or even Ricky Hatton at 140 lbs in November.
Pacquiao flying to LA last week after deciding to do all his training at the Wild Card Gym under Freddie Roach should give him all the time he needs to get in tip-top shape and make the we ight.
?Eight full weeks of training in the US than enough for Manny. He?s never had difficulty doing that before. All he has to do is keep his focus, and stay aw ay from distractions,? said Salud.
The Cebu-based promoter said Pacquiao was around ?138 to 140? when he flew out of the country last week. With 55 days left before the fight, he can lose a pound every five days and make the weight.
?The fight is still far ahead. He can make 130,? added Salud.
The coming fight against Marquez, set at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, will be Pacquiao?s eighth as a super-featherweight. And he?s had great success, losing only his first, to Erik Morales in 2005, and winning the next seven.
When Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a controversial draw in May of 2004, it was in the 126 lb division. The rematch will be for the WBC super-featherweight crown being held by the 34-year-old Mexican.
Marquez, practically born as a featherweight, has had no problem making 130. When he started training for the Pacquiao rematch shortly before Christmas, he said he was just a few pounds over the limit.
