POPULAR Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez predicted that Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will beat fellow Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales in their Grand Finale rubber match on Nov. 18.
Marquez, it can be recalled, was dropped by Pacquiao three times in the first round of their fight years ago, but fought back and counter-punched his way to a worthy draw.
In an interview with well-known boxing writer Paul Upham of SecondsOut.com, Marquez said: “It’s Manny’s time now. He is in his prime. He is very strong and very fast. I feel it is his [Pacquiao’s] night and he will be the victor.”
Marquez made it clear that his picking Pacquiao to win had nothing to do with any animosity toward his former promoter—Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who scuttled a rematch with Pacquiao, claiming the then world champion Mexican was asking for too much as his purse.
Arum and Murad Muhammad, Pacquiao’s promoter at the time, then struck a deal to have Pacquiao face Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a fight that the Mexican won by a unanimous decision after the Filipino southpaw suffered a nasty gash in the fifth round.
Marquez said his attitude toward Top Rank, which handles Morales, was not the reason he picked Pacquiao to win this November.
“It’s just that Pacquiao is a better fighter at this time and is in his prime right now,” said Marquez.
At the same time, the 33-year-old Marquez, who claimed he was robbed of a decision when he lost his World Boxing Council title to Indonesia’s Chris John in his hometown, said he hopes to finally get a rematch with Pacquiao sometime next year.
Marquez said he would love to have a rematch because “the boxing public would love it as well.”
But if Morales beats Pacquiao, Marquez was willing to fight his fellow Mexican.
But for all this to happen, he, too, must defeat Filipino southpaw Jimrex Jaca in their title fight in El Paso, Texas this weekend.
Meantime, World Boxing Association champion Edwin Valero, who has a sensational record of 20 wins all by knockout, 18 in the first round, has decided to make Japan his home under his benefactor Akihiko Honda.
Well-known boxing writer Joe Koizumi said Valero’s ultimate goal will be a highly anticipated confrontation with Pacquiao.
