A lot of pride and machismo is at stake as well as two titles- both belonging to Juan Manuel Marquez when he fights new featherweight superstar Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 8th.
Although Pacquiao’s Promotor Muhammad Murad, has astutely tried to smooth out the ripples of Manny’s stepping stone prediction for Marquez today, and Erik Morales later in the summer, the damage to pride has been done, according to Marquez, who’s furious about what he judges as a wanton lack of respect for his double championship status. Marquez, who’s nickname is dinamite, has already vowed that he’s prepared to die before surrendering either of his belts, which gives a worrying, plus alarming indication of the brooding and simmering intensity ready to explode when the bell for round one rings.
Freddie Roach has gone on the record urging Manny to concentrate on immediate business and WBC President Jose Sulaiman has just said that it would be a big mistake for Manny to think past Juan Manuel.
Juan Manuel’s camp is seething that they don’t have the same favourable deal with HBO that Manny has, doubly so, because Manny is not yet a champion…or a double champion.
Manny Pacquiao has also said that he thinks this will be an easier fight then when he demolished Marco Antonio Barrera and he’s predicted he’ll knock out Juan Manuel Marquez within three rounds.
This shows admirable confidence from a superb and upcoming fighter. But it does ignore an important fact. A change of management, serious disruption to his training camp because of wild fires in California, and revelations about a previous brain operation, had thrown Marco Antonio Barrera off kilter and his routine had been badly affected. Manny Pacquiao caught him on his very worst possible night and brilliantly exploited this opportunity. The same is highly unlikely to happen to an extremely focused, very well prepared and exceptionally determined Juan Manuel Marquez who’s also annoyed at being the champion, yet the underdog in the sages’ betting slips.
Manny Pacquiao’s come forward attacking style, will suit Juan Manuel Marquez who’s known as an accurate, persistent and hurtful if not devastating counter puncher. The big question for Marquez is whether he will be able to either match or neutralize Pacquiao’s blinding speed and frenetic pace. The fight is certain to be bitterly contested and could hopefully turn into a classic like the first clash between Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. But it’s unlikely to be as easy as Manny’s last and most impressive display.
