?I mean hurt like badly hurt. Boxing is hitting each other, but what I mean is ?badly hurt,? Pacquiao was quoted by Yahoo Sports columnist Kevin Iole.
Before that, Manny, who admitted that he held back in his power punches against Oscar de la Hoya, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto, said, only me ?I?m always praying. I?m not praying for myself, but I?m praying for all of the fighters who are going to fight on Saturday, especially my opponent, that nobody gets hurt.?
Unlike his last fight against Shane Mosley, which saw the crowd booing the American fighter for the lack of action, the third match between Marquez and Pacquiao is expected to be a slam-bang affair because of the history between the two fighters.
?I think Marquez will fight me toe-to-toe,? Pacquiao said.
Marquez has insisted that he won both previous fights–a draw in 2004 and a split decision win for Pacquiao in 2008–and is raring to prove himself right.
However, most of the experts and the odds favor Pacquiao.
But that doesn?t daunt the Mexican, who also lost by decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. ?That?s OK, I don?t care. People think what they want to think. I?ve heard it before. That won?t affect me at all,? Marquez told Yahoo Sports.
Pacquiao was a heavy favorite going into their rematch in 2008 but Marquez managed to hurt him in the late stages of that fight.
Marquez has also bulked up for the fight, which will be at 144 pounds, but promoter Bob Arum thinks it?s not the size that will matter.
?He?s probably the best counter puncher in boxing today. He gets aggressive off the counter punching, and that will still be there. Plus, Marquez has great recuperative powers. If there is a difference in the fight, it is not the weight, guaranteed. It is not the strength, because Marquez has bulked up,? Arum said.
