LAS VEGAS ? Juan Manuel Marquez stepped out of a gold limousine Tuesday morning with his WBC belt slung over his left shoulder.
He said he has no plans leaving Vegas without it.
?I?m hanging on to this belt,? the super-featherweight champion from Mexico City said in Spanish as he spoke to ABS-CBN sportscaster Dyan Castillejo.
?It?s not going to be taken away from me. If Manny Pacquiao wants to get it, it?s going to cost him a lot,? he added.
Marquez was welcomed at Mandalay Bay by well-wishers, the media and an eight-man mariachi that played cheerful Mexican music.
In a blue track suit and cap, and carrying his belt, Marquez posed before the cameras, smiling, clinching his right fist. He came with his training unit led by Nacho Beristain.
The 34-year-old champion was welcomed by Golden Boy honcho Richard Schaeffer as he stepped out of the limousine. They hugged.
Marquez believes there?s only one reason why Pacquiao trained hard for this fight.
?He did because he is fighting me. So, I am also in my best condition. This is going to be a great fight. And I will fight for my country,? he said.
Pacquiao came in 30 minutes before Marquez. He arrived in a limousine, a gold one, too.
The Filipino superstar was mobbed as he walked on the red carpet.
?We miss you Manny,? someone said.
?It?s nice to be back here,? was his reply. He also fielded a few questions from the media, questions that have been basically asked before.
He signed casino table cloths for Mandalay Bay, and took the elevator up to his suite.
Marquez said he expects his countrymen, all of them, to rally behind him.
?When Juan Manuel walks down that isle on Saturday, a hundred million Mexicans will be behind him,? said Schaeffer.
?And the Mexicans will be just as loud as the Filipinos,? Marquez said.
The loud music provided by the mariachi was just a hint of things to come.
