On Tuesday afternoon, I made some more rounds in the boxing game, checking out the grand arrivals of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez at the Wynn in Las Vegas ahead of their Saturday night clash while later hitting up the MGM Grand to catch Saul Alvarez, Josesito Lopez, and the rest of the ?Knockout Kings? lineup hit the city for their respective fights on the same evening.
Amidst the madness, I caught up with respected trainer Nacho Beristain, who will be leading WBC featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez into battle on Saturday against the persistent Daniel Ponce De Leon on the Alvarez-Lopez bill. View slideshow: PHOTOS – Saul Alvarez, Josesito Lopez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Sergio Martinez, Marcos Maidana and others invade Las Vegas
Beristain, of course, is known best for his work with the revered Juan Manuel Marquez, who still seems to be waiting on Manny Pacquiao for word as to whether they will be fighting for a fourth time in December.
Having a few words with Beristain inside of the MGM Grand?s main lobby, it became clear that he is on board for another go-round with Pacquiao.
Trainer Nacho Beristain inside of the MGM Grand’s main lobby on Tuesday afternoon Photo credit: Chris Robinson
?I want that fight again,? Beristain would confirm. ?It?s a very good fight and the world of boxing is waiting on that fight. It?s too important to do it next year, but now it?s important to Marquez.”
Beristain also confirmed that Marquez has been putting in some work at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City to keep himself sharp despite not having a fight officially lined up.
?Daily,? said Beristain of Marquez?s regimen. ?Marquez now, he?s in good condition. He trains daily and he waits only to the final day to begin the formal training.?
There were talks that Marquez?s plans might see him crossing paths with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley if the Pacquiao fight were to slip away. Several fans and insiders like that match but Beristain insists his charge has a vested interest in the October 20th rematch between WBA/WBC junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia and Erik Morales.
?Marquez prefers a fight with the winner of Morales and Garcia. It?s the better fight,? Beristain stated.
Marquez will be in attendance at the MGM Grand this weekend and is scheduled to hit Las Vegas on Thursday.
