MILLIONS of Filipino fans all over the world will have a reason to celebrate today as Manny Pacquiao could finally end his long-time rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez with a statement.
That is if what some of the renowned boxing figures in Cebu will happen, pushes through.
It will be a special day for the Philippines, according to veteran international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, because Pacquiao will hand the 39-year-old Marquez the first knockout defeat of his career–a feat that not even American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. has done.
?The Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight will be exciting but I think with the weight difference after the weigh-in, 143 to 147, it will be Pacquiao Day. To celebrate the 11th-round knockout,? Gello-ani told Sun.Star Cebu of his bold prediction for one of the biggest fights this year.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, on the other hand, believes it won?t be a knockout but there will be no more doubts as to who really won the past three encounters after this fight.
?I believe it will be the best performance of Manny since (Miguel) Cotto. The great athletes will always come back strong from a loss. Manny did it after his loss to (Erik) Morales. It will be a one-sided fight due to the fact that Manny wants to prove something,? said Aldeguer. ?I don?t think it will be a knockout but a unanimous decision by Manny.?
The championship tandem of International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight king Johnriel Casimero and his coach Christopher ?Ping-Ping? Tepora shared the same thoughts, of Pacquiao also winning by decision.
?Marquez shouldn?t be taken lightly. But Manny will still win by points,? said Tepora.
Pacquiao and Marquez have fought thrice in the past with the 33-year-old Filipino superstar winning two out of the three fights. The other fight ended in a controversial draw.
?It will reach 12 rounds and Manny will still win it,? said Casimero, one of the few reigning world champions of the Philippines.
Cebuanos Mercito Gesta and Dodie Boy Pe?alosa Jr. are also seeing action in the undercard.
Gesta is taking on IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez. The 25-year-old Gesta weighed-in at 134 pounds, while the defending champion Vazquez tipped the scales at exactly 135 pounds.
This is Gesta?s first shot at the world title after going unbeaten in 27 fights. He is 26-0-1 with 14 knockouts.
