BOTH boxers maintain they are fighting to win for their respective countries, Manny Pacquiao for the Philippines and Juan Manuel Marquez for Mexico.
And so there’s going to be a lot of pride and nationalistic fervor when Pacquiao and Marquez go up against each other for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title on March 15 (March 16 in Manila).
Pacquiao, the challenger, will try to snatch a world title and write boxing history with a victory in the championship bout scheduled for 12 rounds at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Marquez, the champion, is on a mission himself as he attempts to stop Pacquiao in his tracks and become the second Mexican to score a win over the Filipino bomber other than Erik Morales.
“It will be a great fight on Saturday as I heard Marquez has trained very hard and doesn’t want to let his countrymen down. But I don’t either as I need to win this fight for my people as this is the key to Filipino unity,” Pacquiao said Wednesday in a final press conference for their much-awaited rematch in Las Vegas.
Marquez said people can expect to see war when he climbs the ring to defend his crown, adding he has trained long enough to be here.
“I have prepared very hard for three months. I don’t really like to talk; I do it in the ring. This fight is for my country, my people and I will win it with all my heart,” Marquez said.
Both fighters have a score to settle when they square off this Saturday, thus the “Unfinished Business” tag for the fight card.
Back in May of 2004, Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a classic draw in a fight where the Filipino floored the Mexican three times in the first round, but just couldn’t get the job done.
That was because Marquez, then 30 years old, managed to come back strong and box beautifully for the remainder of the contest.
Now at 34, Marquez said he feels as strong as ever and insists his age will not be a factor come fight night.
But the 29-year-old Pacquiao, younger and much stronger and faster than Marquez, asserted he now has the tools to claim the scalp of Marquez and add him in his list of Mexican victims.
The Filipino’s famed American trainer, Freddie Roach, echoed his fighter’s observations.
“We are ready and I am looking forward to the fight Saturday night,” Roach said.
Judging from the credentials of both Pacquiao and Marquez, boxing fans will surely be treated to a great fight and promoter Bob Arum knows why.
“Not too many words or hyperboles for this fight. I’ve heard Juan Manuel is in great shape but I have witnessed with my own eyes how Manny Pacquiao trained for this fight,” Arum said.
“If I could get a blueprint for how he trained and get all other fighters to use it, we would have great fights night after night. The conditioning is so important as his stamina and ability to withstand punishment is at his highest peak,” he added.
