MILLIONS of his fans, both in the Philippines and overseas, will see a new Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino boxing icon fights Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) for the latter?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For one, the 29-year-old Pacquiao said he has completely changed his outlook in life for the good of his boxing career, which he wants to pursue longer than what his detractors foresee.
?Di gaya ng sabi ng marami, gutom na gutom pa rin po ako na abutin ang mga di ko pa naabot. Sabik na sabik pa rin po akong makuha ang mga bagay na di ko pa natatamo [Unlike what many are saying, I?m as hungry as before to reach out for the things I have not yet accomplished. I still thirst to get things that I have not yet laid my hands on],? he said during a conversation with former Sen. Robert Jaworski, who visited him in his training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in California.
If Pacquiao wins the 12-round title bout, he will become the first Filipino and Asian, for the matter, to win a world boxing championship in three different divisions following his title victories in the flyweight and super bantamweight categories.
?As I saw him train, I think he?s well-prepared and ready to whatever comes from Marquez?s artillery,? said Jaworski, who have seen all Pacquiao?s fight in the US.
?He told me during our conversation that he has been training like he has never done before. He even told me that he has already forgotten the vices that had affected his career before,? added Jaworski.
?So far, so good. Maganda ang resulta ng pagbabalik ko sa dating ako, kaya umasa kayo at ang iba pa nating kababayan na gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para madala sa Pilipinas ang korona. Matagal na rin naman akong walang koronang nakapatong sa aking ulo,? local basketball?s living legend quoted Pacquiao as saying.
?Ako naman ay natutuwa na maliban sa akin ay marami rin namang mga supporters ni Manny na nandito na upang panoorin ang laban at bigyan siya ng moral support. He said his wife Jinky arrived here last week pa. And I?m sure na yung ibang laging nanonood sa kanyang laban, like Gov. [Chavit] Singson will also come,? Jaworsksi said.
Jaworski said Pacquiao was scheduled to take it easy Saturday and Sunday after weeks of extensive training that includes sparring with different sparring partners, roadwork and calisthenics.
Monday (Tuesday in Manila) he and Marquez, who has been conducting his preparations months before the Filipino fighter started his, will appear in the final press conference before Pacquiao?s group breaks camp and proceed to Las Vegas for the last phase of his buildup program prepared by long-time American trainer Freddie Roach.
The press conference is scheduled in Olivera St. in downtown Los Angeles, a known Mexican territory, although Pacquiao remained unfazed.
?If Marquez has a lot of Mexican following in tha area, ako rin marami, di lang Mexicano kundi mga Pilipino. Siguro naman wala siyang Pilipinong supporter. Ako me mga tagahanga na Mexicano,? said Pacquiao.
