LAS VEGAS — It didn?t take long for word to reach Manny Pacquiao that Marco Antonio Barrera plans a ?surprise? that will ?shock the Philippines? in their coming rematch at the Mandalay Bay.
It didn?t take long, too, for the Filipino superstar to belittle the claim.
?He has a surprise?? Pacquiao said after the media presentation by both fighters at the site of the Oct. 6 bout here. ?I?m used to surprises.
?He made sacrifices?? he added. ?Sino ba ang hindi nagsakripisyo? Todo sakripisyo ako sa labang ito (Who hasn?t made sacrifices? I?ve sacrificed everything just for this fight).?
Even promoters Oscar De La Hoya and Bob Arum agreed that Pacquiao will be more than ready for any Barrera surprise, but both warned against an overconfident Pacman stepping into the ring against the grizzled Mexican warrior.
?Pacman has tremendous speed, power and stamina,? De La Hoya said. ?He has the speed. He has everything to win in this fight, but he also has everything to lose. Barrera has shown he is great when the odds are stacked against him.?
?I can see Manny winning this one,? said Top Rank?s Arum, who is co-promoting the fight with De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions. ?He enjoys a tremendous physical edge. Barrera, however, fights like a tiger when against the wall. He?s in great form.?
Pacquiao is expected to get an inspirational lift with the arrival of wife Jinkee here Monday.
