Promoter Bob Arum said the other day Juan Manuel Marquez is now slower but tougher because of a more aggressive style and Manny Pacquiao can?t afford to take the Mexican lightly in their WBC superfeatherweight title bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on March 15.
Since Pacquiao and Marquez battled to a split 12-round draw three years ago, Arum said their careers have taken opposite turns. ?Marquez is a typical Mexican warrior,? said Arum. ?As he gets older, his body absorbs more wear and tear. He?s slower now than before but he?s become more aggressive. He?s still basically a counterpuncher which may cause Manny some problems.?
Arum said Marquez is more dangerous today than Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera were when they last fought Pacquiao.
?He?s the last Mexican standing,? continued Arum. ?He?s waited very long for this chance to beat Manny. They were at their peak when they fought three years ago. Everyone remembers that while Manny won the first two rounds, Marquez probably took eight of the next 10. That?s a reminder of how dangerous he is. Manny must be at his best condition to win.?
Pacquiao, however, wasn?t impressed by Marquez? remarkable recovery from three knockdowns in the first round to salvage a draw. He said he couldn?t put Marquez away because of a swollen left hand and a blister in his foot caused by wearing cheap, thin socks.
But Pacquiao admitted he?s got to be in tip-top shape for Marquez. He said he would begin limbering up at the end of the month, get in gym shape for two weeks then fly to the US for two months of rigorous training at the Wild Card Gym with Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao said he?s not worried about Marquez? counterpunching style even as former business manager Rod Nazario warned not to fall prey to staying too close after moving in to attack.
?The way to fight a counterpuncher is to counterpunch,? said Pacquiao. ?But I won?t just counterpunch. I?ll also go inside. I?ll surprise him. As to his strengths and weakness, I?d rather not say. That?s my secret. You?ll just see what I?ll do when we start fighting.?
Roach said Marquez will find a different Pacquiao in their rematch. Pacquiao hardly threw the right in their first bout but has since become a two-fisted power puncher.
?Manny?s a lot better now than he was when they first fought,? said Roach. ?He has better head movement, better footwork, better defense. Manny?s getting better and better in many ways. No one works harder in the gym.?
Arum said after resolving ?unfinished business? with Marquez, Pacquiao might invade the lightweight division. He has two more fights lined up for Pacquiao this year ? in July and November.
?Manny wants to fight at least thrice a year,? said Arum. ?He would?ve fought thrice this year if not for the elections. We?re not thinking of whom his next possible opponents will be. Our focus right now is just Marquez.?
Arum and Roach arrived here Sunday morning. Arum spent the night in Manila before taking an early morning flight to General Santos City to celebrate Pacquiao?s 27th birthday last Monday. Roach flew to General Santos City the morning he landed from Los Angeles.
Also planing in from the US were Roach?s friend Billy Keane, sparmate David Rodela and former policeman Rob Peters.
Arum returned to Las Vegas last Wednesday night. Roach is staying until Dec. 26. He leaves for Boracay for a three-day vacation tomorrow.
?I?m burned out,? said Roach. ?I need a break from the gym.?
Marquez, 34, has compiled a 6-1 record, with 2 KOs, and Pacquiao 7-1, with 5 KOs, since their meeting. Marquez? only KO victims were Filipino Jimrex Jaca and Thai Tersak Jandaeng. His loss was to Indonesian Chris John by a unanimous decision. Surviving the distance with Marquez were Rocky Juarez, Barrera, Victor Polo and Orlando Salido.
Pacquiao?s only setback was a decision to Morales since the draw with Marquez. He stopped Fahsang 3-K Battery, Hector Velazquez, Jorge Solis and Morales twice and outpointed Oscar Larios and Barrera.
In their 2004 bout, Marquez would?ve lost to Pacquiao by split decision if only judge Burt Clemens scored the first round 10-7, instead of 10-8, as he should have. Clemens later admitted he made a mistake, not realizing three knockdowns in a round automatically merit a 10-7 count.
