SOME people may brush off Juan Manuel Marquez as too old, too slow for Filipino Manny Pacquiao when they tangle on Nov. 12 in the trilogy of a controversial saga between two proud warriors.
However, as far as Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum is concerned, nothing is farther from the truth.
?After the second fight with Manny Pacquiao, Marquez had to fight guys like Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis. Katsidis knocked him down but Marquez always finds a way to get up and land counters. Marquez will always be dangerous, even more dangerous compared to the last time they met,? said Arum.
Promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud however, expressed a dissenting opinion on the matter. Salud told CDN that ?Pacquiao is more dangerous now. When they fought the first time, Manny just relied on his left hand, he is now a more complete fighter and has a strong right hand.?
Arum later credited Filipinos for their huge support for Pacquiao.
?The Mandalay Bay becomes a Little Manila when Manny fights. Filipinos travel all the way to Vegas to support Pacquiao.? Arum also revealed that tickets for the fight are almost sold out. An additional 20,000 are expected to watch the fight on close circuit while some two million will watch it on pay-per-view.
Pacquiao-Marquez III will be held on Nov. 13 (Philippine time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The world press tour which kicked off yesterday in Manila will proceed to New York on Sept. 6, Los Angeles on Sept. 7 and Mexico City on Sept. 8. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.
