Photo by AP
MANILA—Juan Manuel Marquez is ripe for the picking and Manny Pacquiao is looking forward to putting the Mexican away for good this time.
Pacquiao was animatedly rolling his fists, his eyes getting larger, as he vowed over dinner on Saturday at Harbor View Restaurant in Manila to shut the Mexican’s big mouth.
The pound-for-pound king, peeved by Marquez’s incessant claims that he won their first two bouts, which ended in a draw and split decision for Pacquiao, respectively, said his rival will get what’s due him when they tangle anew on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the Filipino’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.
Recalling their second bout in 2008, Pacquiao said he could have finished off Marquez after knocking him down with 19 seconds left in the third round but ran out of time.
Now used to fighting and dominating bigger opponents, Pacquiao is eager to face Marquez, who just turned 38, and see if the Mexican can withstand the barrage of punches that have rocked Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley.
Pacquiao also refuted the claim of legendary Mexican trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain that Marquez will be able to handle him this time as the Filipino had become a technical fighter under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
The 68-year-old Beristain, who has nurtured 20 world champions, had said in earlier interviews that as a refined fighter now, Pacquiao’s moves and punches have become predictable and they would be easier for Marquez to solve.
Smirking, Pacquiao pointed out that he fights differently against each opponent.
“That’s difficult to read,” said Pacquiao in Filipino.