LAS VEGAS ? Boxing elder Lito Mondejar, who has worked the corners of five Filipino world champions in nearly 50 years of involvement in the sport, yesterday didn?t rule out the possibility of the WBC superfeatherweight title bout between champion Juan Manuel Marquez and challenger Manny Pacquiao here tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila) going the full route.
Mondejar, 72, predicted Pacquiao to win by knockout or decision, depending on how Marquez decides to fight.
?I think Marquez will engage Manny in the first few rounds to test if he can take his punches,? said Mondejar who flew in from Manila last Thursday night. ?Once, Manny starts hurting him, expect Marquez to run like (Marco Antonio) Barrera did. If Marquez stays away, it?ll go 12 rounds with Manny winning the decision. If Marquez stands his ground, Manny will knock him out for sure.?
Mondejar was in Pacquiao?s corner in the first meeting against Marquez four years ago.
?Marquez couldn?t walk straight after the fight and couldn?t even move his head because it was so swollen,? recalled Mondejar. ?He knows what it?s like to get hit by Manny. He?ll keep that in mind in the rematch.?
Mondejar used to own and manage the fabled L&M Gym in Sampaloc with Moy Lainez. Pacquiao bought the gym two years ago. In the 1970s, Mondejar?s stable listed a high of 24 fighters. Today, he lives in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, and manages only the country?s No. 7 flyweight Jun Eraham.
Mondejar was in the corner when Pedro Adigue, Erbito Salavarria, Tacy Macalos, Morris East and Pacquiao won world titles.
?Marquez has slowed down from his first fight against Manny,? said Mondejar. ?But he?s still a dangerous fighter because he?s a counterpuncher and he?s very smart.?
Mondejar said Pacquiao is in the same condition he was for the first Barrera fight.
?Buboy (Fernandez) and I stayed with Manny for two months preparing for Barrera,? continued Mondejar. ?We roomed with him in the Vagabond Inn beside the Wild Card Gym. That was the best condition he?s ever been and Barrera was badly beaten. Now, I think Manny is in the same shape or even better. When Manny?s in tip-top condition, he?s unbeatable.?
Mondejar said Pacquiao has three to four solid more years to go as a top-echelon fighter.
?It depends on how he takes care of himself,? he said. ?If he sleeps early, eats well and stays healthy, there?s no reason why he can?t continue fighting until he?s Marquez? age now. Manny is the greatest Filipino fighter who ever lived, no matter what happens next in his career. He?s got the two qualities essential in a world champion ? matapang (courageous) and malakas (strong).?
Mondejar said Rolando Navarrete could?ve made as much impact as Pacquiao if only he kept his head in place.
?Navarrete was already exposed to the US market,? he said. ?He was exciting like Manny. But he had no discipline and trained poorly. He was winning his fight against (Bazooka) Limon when he got tired and was knocked out in the 12th round.?
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Mondejar arrived on a PAL flight from Manila via Vancouver last Thursday night. Also on board were House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Rep. Erbie Fabian, Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, Rep. Annie Susano, Rep. Arthur Robles, Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yabes, Mayor Leonardo de Leon of Angat, Mayor Tessie Vistan of Plaridel, Mayor Edgardo Galvez of San Ildefonso, Mayor Doning Marcos of Paombong, former Secretary of Energy Delfin Lazaro and wife Cheche, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez with their children, PCSO?s Manny Garcia, shipping magnate Arben Santos, horseowner Hermie Esguerra, Makisig executive vice president Manny Viray, ATO?s Mari Ojeda, publicist Rely de Leon, Dr. Antonio Feliciano, lawyer Romel Agan, Rod Balbon and Palms Country Club squash champion Glen Garcia.
Susano, who has never watched Pacquiao live in action, said she?ll be happy whether Pacquiao wins by knockout or decision. ?We?re all praying for his victory because it?s also a victory for our country,? she said. ?We?re in town to show Manny support.?
Esguerra said conditioning will be a key factor in determining the outcome.
?Marquez has trained for three months but that?s not necessarily an advantage,? he said. ?Like a racehorse, if you train too long, you get burned out before reaching your peak. I think Manny will win because he?s in better shape. Manny is also too fast and he?s very comfortable at 130 pounds. Marquez won?t be able to read Manny?s style because he?ll keep on changing up like a top.?
