Reporting from Las Vegas — Juan Manuel Marquez weighed in at a sculpted 142 pounds Friday for his third fight against Manny Pacquiao, who came in a pound below the welterweight-title catch-weight limit at 143.
Marquez, 38, flashed noticeably larger biceps and an ultimate six-pack abdomen after an 11-week training course under a controversial new strength coach.
The plan for Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Marquez says, is to make the punches he lands against Pacquiao have more effect. The two fought to a draw in 2004, and Pacquiao won a split decision in 2008.
PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs. Marquez weigh-in
“I think I can knock him down, knock him out, yes,” Marquez (53-5-1, 39 knockouts) said backstage after the weigh-in. “I know it’s difficult, but I’ve trained very hard. My training camp was very good.”
Marquez’s Hall of Fame trainer, Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, said the victory plan doesn’t hinge on a knockout, however.
“You need a bat to knock down Pacquiao,” Beristain said. “We’re looking to outclass, for the technical advantage. And Juan looks good.”
