MANILA, Philippines ? Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez declares that “Pound for Pound King” Manny Pacquiao must go through him first before people can even begin thinking of the much-awaited Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather brawl.
?A lot of people say ?I want to see the fight [between] Pacquiao and Mayweather.? He [Pacquiao] needs to win [over] me [first]. The important date for me is Nov. 12. I don?t think more, I don?t see in the future,? Marquez told ?Unang Hirit? in an exclusive live interview on Sept. 1.
Marquez is in the country for the World Press Tour kick-off for his and Pacquiao?s third bout slated on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He arrived in Manila early Thursday morning via flight PR 103 with Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum and his training team. Marquez says he intends to continue training for the fight while he’s here.
Marquez and Pacquiao faced each other in the ring for the first time in 2004, with the fight ending in a draw. In 2008, the two had a controversial rematch with Pacquiao winning via split-decision.
?Yes, this fight is different?. The preparation is very hard for this fight because Manny is a great fighter. I need [to] train very hard because I want to win. I?m looking for the victory and I need to train very hard for this fight,? Marquez said.
He added that he particularly wanted to train for his speed and strength ?because this fight is [for] different weight [category].
?I need more pounds [weight] for this fight. I need to train very hard [for] the strength, speed. I have my team, I have my doctor to help me with this fight.?
With Pacquiao reportedly already beginning his training 10 weeks away from the match instead of the usual eight, Marquez was asked if he thought this was because Pacquiao needed ?extra preparation? before facing him.
