IF you?re wondering why Juan Manuel Marquez seems to be very comfortable in Manila–shopping, training, signing autographs, promoting–you only have to recall the last time he was in enemy territory.
Remember that he actually had the gumption to come over to just to beg Manny for a third fight.
HANDSHAKE. It was April 6, 2008, to be exact. I was at the Araneta Coliseum at that time to cover Gerry Pe?alosa?s fight against Ratanachai Singwancha.
Marquez arrived first at the stadium and patiently waited for ?The Pacman? who was scheduled to arrive much later. When that moment finally came, he was gingerly led to where Manny was headed at ringside. I was just a few feet away and witnessed the two rivals shake hands.
With camera flashes all around, Manny seemed a little flustered and regarded him obliquely with some bit of a tension on that multi-million dollar smile of his.
I don?t blame him. He probably was incredulous that an opponent would fly thousands of miles just to beg for a chance to get punched in the face again.
And Marquez? He had the look of an amorous lover who had just been given the chance to hold the hand of the damsel of his dreams.
Yes, he was that intrepid.
BRAVADO. When you step back and consider of experience he has had with Manny, you probably begin to appreciate his bravado.
After all, with 24 rounds and four knockdowns between them, there is arguably some lingering doubt on who is the better fighter.
