MANILA, Philippines – While WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. isn?t taking Juan Manuel Marquez lightly, he?s picking Manny Pacquiao to beat the Mexican by a knockout anywhere between the eighth and 12 rounds because the Filipino icon is ?too big, too strong and too quick? for the challenger who?s moving up in weight to try to snatch the WBO welterweight crown in Las Vegas this weekend.
Donaire, who?s in town for his church wedding on Friday, said Marquez bulking up won?t make a difference in the speed equation since quickness isn?t his big thing anyway. Marquez has fought only once weighing over 140 and that was when he tipped the scales at 142 to face Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas two years ago. He couldn?t carry the extra weight and lost a lopsided decision. Last July, Marquez weighed in at 138 for his first round knockout win over Likar Ramos in Cancun. He?s the reigning WBC champion in the lightweight division where the weight limit is 135 pounds. For this weekend?s fight, the protagonists agreed to fight at a catchweight limit of 144 even as the welterweight ceiling is 147.
?Marquez has gotten bigger but he?s not the fast type so it may not matter if the extra weight slows him down,? said Donaire. ?Maybe, he thinks by getting bigger, he?ll be stronger or better able to take Manny?s punches. I don?t know if the added bulk will give him an advantage in trying to take away Manny?s speed. It?s true that Marquez? style is difficult to break down because he?s a counterpuncher like Manny. If you fight Marquez right in front of him, you?ll be in trouble. But Manny knows better than doing that. He won?t be caught off-balance because he?ll be constantly moving.?
