LOS ANGELES ? Juan Manuel Marquez was humbled by the reception that he received upon setting foot here from Mexico City on Saturday afternoon with one kid holding up a poster that says: Game Over Pacman.
“This will be a very hard fight for me but I believe I will come out the winner,” said Marquez, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight king who makes the second defense of the crown against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on March 15.
“Pacquiao is a different fighter who now knows how to box but I am dedicating this fight to all the Mexicans,” said Marquez, who was accompanied by long-time trainer Nacho Beristain, Jaime Quintana, and doctor Plutarco Gatica.
Meeting Marquez and his team at Tom Bradley International terminal are Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) executives Richard Schaefer and Eric Gomez and publicist Ramiro Gonzalez, who Marquez thanked profusely for the grand welcome that was laid out there.
Before flying to the US, Marquez had to report to the US Embassy for some immigration matters and also work out a bit.
In his last sparring session in Mexico, Marquez sparred four rounds total with Nicaraguan Eusebio Osejo and Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez.
Juventino Martinez, a representative from the WBC, also dropped by the Romanza Gym to check on his weight.
Marquez, who had weighed 133 four weeks ago as part of the WBC?s regulations, scaled in at 131 this time.
Marquez had kicked off his training for the Pacquiao rematch as early as December when the Filipino was celebrating Christmas and his 29th birthday.
On Monday (Tuesday in Manila), Marquez and Pacquiao will troop to Olvera Street in downtown LA for a press conference.
In the afternoon? after working out at the Wild Card ? Pacquiao will drive to Las Vegas. Marquez will go there by plane.
On Tuesday, GBP and Top Rank will lay out festive welcoming rites for the two at the main lobby of The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.
