In this photo made Oct. 20, 2011, boxer Manny Pacquiao trains at the Wild Card Boxing Club in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Pacquiao is insulted by Juan Manuel Marquez's insistence that he won their first two fights. The pound-for-pound king is determined to leave no doubt next month. AP
LOS ANGELES—Manny Pacquiao never takes his fights personally. The pound-for-pound king’s opponents are usually quite respectful, and the easygoing Pacquiao always ignores any stray insults.
Not this time. Not for his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao’s trainers are sensing an unsettling edge in the Filipino congressman, who started training aggressively even before the fight was announced. Pacquiao admits being insulted by Marquez’s boastful insistence that he won their first two fights, which ended in a draw and a split decision for Pacquiao.
The steady line of bloody, beaten sparring partners leaving the Wild Card Gym testifies to Pacquiao’s focus. The bout on November 12 could be the last major highlight of his career if he can’t land a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.