Pacquiao starts early training for Marquez

Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao will be relying on his inherent speed advantage to counter Juan Manuel Marquez’s “dirty tricks” when they tangle for the fourth time on Dec. 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

As Pacquiao started his physical conditioning at the Gen. Santos City Sports Complex on Wednesday, trainer Buboy Fernandez told ANC Channel on Wednesday that, this time, the eight-division world champion will be ready for whatever the Mexican warrior will bring to the ring.

Fernandez, who is taking charge of Pacquiao’s light training in the country, noted that in their third encounter last year, Marquez caught Pacquiao off guard by stepping on his foot at least six times in the course of their 12-round bout.

Though Pacquiao won by majority decision, the fight was perceived to be too close that Marquez again harped that he was robbed of victory by the judges, as in Pacquiao-Marquez I, which ended in a draw, and in their rematch, which went to Pacquiao by split decision.

In a light, jovial mood amid familiar surroundings, Pacquiao, accompanied by wife Jinkee and brother Bobby, jogged for 30 minutes around the track oval, occasionally doing the dance craze Gang nam.

Pacquiao, who had his hair trimmed, said he can’t afford to be complacent against Marquez, whose counterpunching style proved to be a problem in their past three fights.

After filing his certificate of candidacy for congressman of Sarangani province’s lone district next week, Pacquiao will leave for Los Angeles to begin training camp at chief trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Pacquiao decided to spend the entire eight weeks in the United States to eliminate travel time and jet lag.

Marquez enjoys a head start in their race to attain the best form possible on fight night.

Pushing his 39-year-old legs, Marquez is doing running and endurance training at the Nevado de Toluca, a dormant volcano about 129 km west of Mexico City where he works out at the Romanza Gym of fabled trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.