Manny Pacquiao?s rosy career has one major thorn in its side.
No, it?s not the ?Money? Mayweather thorn that has overshadowed any relevant boxing conversation. It?s the ?Dinamita? thorn known as Juan Manuel Marquez. No matter how many foes he obliterates and championship titles he collects, the Filipino has been haunted by his closely contested battles with the Mexican that still leaves fans wondering if the two fighters would have switched spots on the pound for pound rankings if Marquez would have won an extra round or two in and took home victories in both of their fights. Instead, Pacquiao sits at a satisfying (albeit far from definitive) 1-0-1 in his two fights with Marquez over the past seven years.
?He was saying he got robbed in the first two fights. This fight will answer all of the doubts and all the questions,? Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) said on a conference call as the final days tick off the calendar before their third clash on November 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. As much as Pac Man has walked through his opponents over the past few years, he is well aware that Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) has been steadfast in saying that he has Pacquiao?s number. He also knows that he?ll have to take down Marquez before moving on to fry bigger fish named Mayweather.
Even though the 2011 version of Pacquiao is bigger, stronger and faster than the two versions that faced Marquez in 2004 and 2008, Pacquiao promises that he won?t head into this fight thinking that he can just walk over the man that pushed him to the brink.
?I will never underestimate M?rquez,? Pacquiao says. ?I trained hard for this fight and feel strong. This is a lot different because over the past few years I have improved a lot. I think I am a lot better now mostly because of my right hand. There is also a big difference in my power and moving up in weight from our last fights is going to be a difference.?
