Sounding every bit confident and showing the true color of an Aztec warrior, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation featherweight king Juan Manuel Marquez has indicated that after he takes care of Ring Magazine champ Manny Pacquiao on February 26, it will be fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, the WBC super-featherweight titlist, who will next bite the bullet.
Marquez, according to James Blears of the popular boxing website Boxingscene, intimated that he is confident of boxing his way to victory when he tangles with Pacquiao in their rematch, and that his favored next opponent for “a real big time pay” is Barrera, who holds two legitimate wins over another Mexican great, Erik Morales, in their classic trilogy.
However Marquez, who enjoys a friendship with Barrera dating back to many years, qualified that their friendship will remain intact and that business is business, and it would make perfect financial sense to pit two very exciting warriors in an all-Latino bust up.
Marquez is currently in the thick of preparation at the Gilberto Roman Gym in Mexico City for his February 26 showdown with Pacquiao, while the Filipino ring hero is reportedly taking things easy, shooting commercials, playing pool, attending derbies after celebrating the Christmas holiday with his family.
Yesterday, Pacquiao finished his commitment to shoot a commercial for Darlington Socks, but indicated that he is not concerned at all about news of Marquez’s intensified training at the gym.
Pacquiao, in an interview with Viva Sports’ Ronnie Nathanielsz, intimated that he is very well aware of his duty to his country, and that he is doing his part to prepare for the upcoming showdown.
The General Santos fighter also revealed that he will be leaving for the United States on January 6, two days earlier than his original schedule.
