Will Manny Pacquiao make the 130-pound super flyweight maximum weigh-in requirement in his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez?
Easily, because Pacquiao has been under the most intense workout of his entire career, doing up to 36 rounds of sparring daily at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, where he has been training for weeks under long-time coach Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao himself made the assurance on Wednesday via a live phone patch to journalists who attended a media briefing at the Skyline Executive Lounge of the GMA Network Center.
At the moment, Pacquiao is eight pounds over the limit, but he said he could easily burn the extra weight by March 15, the date of the World Boxing Council bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas (or March 16 in the Philippines).
"Mas madali na ngayon (It's easier for me now)," Pacquiao said, referring to his last fight with Marco Antonio Barrera, where he had a hard time making the weigh-in requirement. "Ito na siguro ang pinakamatinding training ko sa career ko (This is probably the most intense training I ever went through in my career)."
He noted that he used to do only around 26 rounds of sparring, compared to the up to 36 that he's doing now.
None of the journalists – moderated by sportscaster Chino Trinidad, who will cover the bout – bothered to ask if Pacquiao thought he could win this time against Marquez, whom he fought in 2004 bout that ended in a controversial draw. Controversial, because Pacquiao knocked down Marquez thrice in the first round alone.
What one journalist did ask was if Pacquiao could knock out Marquez for good this time for a decisive victory.
"Mahirap ng magsalita ng tapos (It's hard to say for sure)," Pacquiao said.
Before the phone-patch interview, GMA Network and Solar Sports announced their deal to broadcast the fight, dubbed as Pacquiao-Marquez 2: Unfinished Business. The deal was signed by Gilberto Duavit Jr., GMA chief operating ofificer, and Wilson Tieng, Solar Sports president.
This prompted another writer to ask if there will be as many commercials, as in previous Pacquiao bouts, that would irritate impatient viewers.
Unfortunately, yes, GMA's Duavit said, pointing out that the high cost of broadcasting the fight would need the financial support of advertisers if it is to be aired at all on "free" TV.
That has not, however, kept viewers from watching the broadcast as proved by high ratings, according to Peter Chan Liong, Solar Sports chief operating officer.
Boxing fans, he added, still watch the TV broadcast though they had listened to the radio broadcast, which is usually a blow-by-blow live affair.
As in previous matches, GMA's radio stations – led by Super Radyo dzBB and Barangay LS-FM – will do the blow-by-blow broadcast before the TV broadcast goes on air at 10:30 a.m.
Another journalist wanted the answer to another crucial question : Who's singing the Philippine National Anthem at the rematch?
Solar Sports' Tieng said Pacquiao, who has a say in the matter, already had a short list, but he could not yet reveal the names in it. - Alexander T. Magno, GMANews.TV
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Pacquiao did some light workout, doing the mitts with famed American trainer Freddie Roach and hitting the speed bag. He also did some shadow boxing and was talking to everyone while he did his routine, a typical Pacquiao manner whenever he is inside the gym for practice.
FACING a much taller, a lot bigger, and the best fighter to date in his next ring assignment, Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao finally hit the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon and started training for his much-awaited December 6 encounter with Oscar de la Hoya at the fabulous MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 29-year-old Pacquiao was initially scheduled to start training a day before, but this was cancelled because he had to meet first with promoter Bob Arum and that the boxer was not feeling well Tuesday.
Also supervising Pacquiao's training regimen aside from Roach are Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri, Roger Fernandez, and Eric Brown.
Roach reportedly hired big sparring partners--two light middleweights and one welterweight--to prepare Pacquiao for De La Hoya, who started his own training for the fight a month ago.
Hired as sparring partners were 154-pounder Yuri Foreman and Arron Robinson and 147-pounder Rashad Holloway of Raleigh, North Carolina. Roach said all of them have "powerful left hooks."
Pacquiao, the punching machine from General Santos City, will be the heavy underdog in the 12-round battle at 147 pounds against De La Hoya, called the "Golden Boy" and boxing's hottest commodity.
De La Hoya, an Olympic gold medalist, holds an awesome advantage in size and he will be entering the ring looking down on his opponent ready to throw his most dangerous weapon--the left hook--which victimized many tough opponents in the past, notable of whom were Fernando Vargas and Ike Quartey.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has appealed to his fans, especially those contracted with cough and colds, not to pay him a visit during his training.
Pacquiao said he would like to be in great shape the moment he climbs the ring against De La Hoya and does not want to get sick along the way.
Last Tuesday, Sept, 16, Pacquiao failed to show up at the Wild Card Gym after suffering from minor colds
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Nobody thought it would come down to a fight between Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar de la Hoya.
That’s why finalizing the match has been nothing short of a—well, dream.
Top Rank Inc. promoter Bob Arum disclosed in a radio interview Tuesday that the Pacquiao-de la Hoya megabuck meeting on December 6 will be called “The Dream Match".
“It started out as a fantasy," the legendary promoter told boxing-radio personality Dennis Principe.“Larry Merchant suggested it and then ESPN ran with it and it was a dream nobody thought would happen. Now it‘s a reality. Everybody liked that title."
Some of the titles to previous Pacquiao cards include: “Lethal Combination" vs. David Diaz, “Unfinished Business" vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, “Will to Win" vs. Marco Antonio Barrera and “Blaze of Glory" vs. Jorge Solis.
Meanwhile, Arum confirmed that Freddie Roach has in his hands videotapes of de la Hoya’s fights versus Pernell Whitaker and Hector Camacho, two bouts where de la Hoya struggled, Arum said.
De la Hoya won both fights—the only two ones versus left-handers in his career—via unanimous decision.
“I’ve always believed and Freddie does so to that that our guy Manny has a helluva chance to beat Oscar and he will beat Oscar. [Manny] is awkward the way he throws his punches. He’s faster than Oscar and he’s elusive," Arum said.
According to Arum, de la Hoya has begun looking for a trainer to replace Floyd Mayweather Sr., his first choice. Mayweather flew to England to train Ricky Hatton.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Manyo Plange of Ghana fights Harry Tanamor of the Philippines during their men's light flyweight (48kg) round of 32 boxing match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 13, 2008. Harry Tanamor defeated by Ghanian.
Harry Tañamor lost to Ghana's Manyo Plange, 6-3, in the light-flyweight division of the Beijing Olympics.
Tañamor fought Plange in one of the last matches this evening at the Workers’ Gymnasium in the 48kg division.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Squaring off with Oscar De La Hoya has become an obsession for Manny Pacquiao that the Filipino southpaw believes he is capable of shocking the world in the event they meet in the ring on Dec. 6.
"I know that winning against De La Hoya is going to be tough but I have full confidence in what I can do and I know I can score an upset," Pacquiao said during a brief break in his vacation with his loved ones in the United States.
While a De la Hoya fight will guarantee him the fattest paycheck of his career, Pacquiao said there’s a personal aspect in this fight that is being proposed for Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"There’s going to be lots of money involved but I also have to settle something personal (with De La Hoya)," said Pacquiao, who did not elaborate, although ringsiders believe that De La Hoya’s disenchantment with the fighter began when Pacquiao turned his back on a contract that he signed with the Golden Boy.
Pacquiao has already met and discussed the merits of a De La Hoya fight with his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, and Arum has scheduled to meet with GBP Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer this Wednesday to determine whether a deal can be made between the two rival promotional outfits.
Recently, Pacquiao told a gathering of boxing beat writers, columnists and sports editors that he drools over the prospects of rumbling with a "legend like De La Hoya" and that he believes his trainer Freddie Roach is not out of his mind when he told the press that Pacquiao can get the job done even against a bigger fighter in De La Hoya.
Arum and Schaefer will deal with the revenue sharing not only in the pay-per-view, ticket sales and purse but likewise on the delicate issue of the weight limit and brand of the gloves that will be used.
Initial reports inside Team Pacquiao said the 29-year-old General Santos banger is asking million and De La Hoya has been quoted as saying that a fight involving himself would enable Pacquiao to earn up to five times the amount that he’s been getting.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Glenn Donaire, brother of flyweight king Nonito, vies for immortality today when he battles defending International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-fly champion Archie Solis in Hermosillo, Mexico.
In the event Glenn dethrones the heavily-favored Solis in their scheduled 12-rounder at the Palenque De La Expo, the Donaire fighting family will become a rarity as they’ll join the Penalosa family as the other pedigree that produced world champion brothers in Dodie Boy and Gerry.
During yesterday’s official weigh-in, Solis and Donaire both came in at a shade below the 108-lb limit.
Working the corner of Glenn will be his father Nonito Sr. and brother Nonito Jr., who currently reigns as the IBF 112-lb titleholder.
Glenn, according to Nonito Sr. trained like hell for his second crack at the world crown.
"Glenn worked on his stamina and I have a feeling he will be able to get the job done," said Nonito in an interview earlier in the week from their residence in San Leandro, California.
Holder of a 26-1-2 win-loss-draw card with 20 knockouts, two of Solis’ title defense victims were Filipinos – Rodel Mayol and Bert Batawang – who both got stopped by the muscular Mexican. Donaire shoots for history.
Glenn parades a 17-3-1 mark with nine stoppages.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
When two explosive world champions at the top of their game mix it up for the world title, it’s a “Lethal Combination!” Newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion MANNY PACQUIAO and WBC lightweight champion DAVID DIAZ will battle in a 12-round rumble with Diaz’s title at stake. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Diaz will take place Saturday, June 28, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT..
Remaining tickets for Pacquiao vs.Diaz, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“This will be my hardest-fought battle,” said Pacquiao. “It’s been over three years since I have changed weight divisions and I will be doing it against the lightweight division’s world champion. I saw how he took the fight to Erik Morales in his last title defense and I’m expecting to see the same firepower out of him when we meet. But this is my drive for five. Five world titles in five different weight classes and I will not be denied. I am fighting for history, for destiny and for my people of the Philippines.”
"Manny Pacquiao has beaten many great fighters, especially Mexicans like Morales, Barrera, Marquez, Larios and Solis. That's why they call him “The Mexicutioner,” said Diaz. “I will shock the world and beat Pacquiao at his own game, power for power. He’s a great champion but he’s fighting in my division – lightweight. I have worked too hard for this world title and I will not give it up to him."
“Two world champions, at the top of their game, matching each other in speed, power, stamina and courage is a recipe for a great fight,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Manny has never felt the power thrown at this weight class just as Diaz has never gone toe-to-toe with such a human dynamo. But Manny possesses an inner strength from his fellow countrymen the likes I have never seen as a promoter with over 40 years of experience. Manny is more than a national treasure to the Philippines, he is the very symbol of its national pride. He doesn’t fight for himself, he fights for his people. It’s a responsibility that no other athlete could, or attempt to, accomplish.”
“Boxing fans recognize that in Pacquiao vs. Diaz you have one of the sport’s best fighters and biggest attractions moving up in weight to challenge a bigger, stronger champion,” said HBOPPV’s Mark Taffet. “It’s a very intriguing proposition and we look forward to the event."
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has blitzed through the best fighters Mexico has had to offer since 2003 including Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories of Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios. The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including 2007 victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao’s 12-round split decision victory over Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made Pacman a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title. He successfully defended it against the three-division world champion Morales last summer winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Diaz, with 12 years of experience as a professional, is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
The Pacquiao vs. Diaz pay-per-view telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Glenn Donaire of the Philippines will battle IBF lightweight champ Ulises "Archie" Solis in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 17, Philboxing.com reported Friday.
The report said Donaire, the elder brother of IBF/IBO flyweight king Nonito Jr., is a last-minute replacement for Juanito Rubillar, another Filipino.
Bebot Elorde, Rubillar's manager, pulled out his fighter and opted to match him instead with Omar Nino of Mexico. The Rubillar-Nino clash will be an eliminator for the World Boxing Council light flyweight belt held by Mexico's Edgar Sosa.
Donaire's last attempt at a world championship belt was in 2006 against Vic Darchinyan.
Meanwhile, Solis's last two successful defenses were against two Filipinos -- Rodel Mayol and Bert Batawang.
Donaire has a 17-3-1 win-loss-draw card with 9 wins via knockout.
The Mexican champ, on the other hand, has 26-1-2 with 20 KOs.
Monday, April 28, 2008
David Diaz believes his coming showdown with Manny Pacquiao is the fight of his life.
It's bigger than when he won the World Boxing Council lightweight crown and bigger than when he bested Mexican legend Erik Morales.
"This is the kind of fight people will talk about long after you're done and gone," Diaz told Ron Borges of TheSweetScience.com. "This is the biggest fight of my life. Bigger than when I won the title. Even bigger than beating a legend like Morales."
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KO) said this is because Pacquiao, the Filipino WBC super featherweight titlist, is in his prime.
"He's a guy who's been beating up people in different weight classes. Now I have a title he wants and he's trying to put me on the mat. It's one of those fights where you got to prove yourself to yourself," added Diaz, who has opened his training camp in Chicago for his showdown with Pacquiao on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao is still in Gen. Santos City, getting back into shape by running in the morning and playing basketball in the afternoon.
Initially bent on touring Olympic venues in Beijing upon the invitation of the Chinese government, Pacquiao had a change of heart.
Saying he needs to fulfill numerous commitments at home, Pacquiao intends to leave for Los Angeles only on May 10 for full-blast training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao said seven weeks of intense preparation would be enough for him to reach peak form.
Diaz admitted that he wants to fight Pacquiao because it will also give him the biggest purse of his career.
"I'm finally getting paid what champions get paid," said Diaz. “This is a fight where I can set up my kids for college. It's about making their life better but win this one and next fight maybe I can set up David Diaz."
Diaz also rebuffed skeptics who think he doesn't stand a chance against Pacquiao after a so-so performance against Ramon Montano in the under card of the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch won by the Filipino.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Gerry Peñalosa of the Philippines beat challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title on Sunday at the Invasion: Philippines vs The World boxing event at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.Peñalosa won after the referee stopped the fight with 29 seconds remaining in the eighth round. Peñalosa knocked down the Thai thrice, in the fifth, seventh, and earlier in the eighth before the referree stopped the fight.
It was in the fifth round that Peñalosa started punishing the Thai with a series of combinations that nearly knocked him down, at one point sending him down on his knees. Vorapin, however, managed to put his arms around Peñalosa's waist to break his fall.
The event featured four Filipinos, who won all their matches.
In the third bout, Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista of the Philippines knocked out Genaro Camargo of Mexico in the second of a 12-round match to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) inter-continental super bantamweight title.
Bautista knocked down the Mexican twice in the first round and sent him down for the third and final time 57 seconds into the second round.
In the second bout, Ciso Morales of the Philippines also defeated Yoo-Shin Kim in a 12-round match, which the referee stopped in 2:24 of the fourth round, seeing that Yoo-Shin, face bloodied with a cut on the left eye, had taken enough punishment from the Filipino, who successfully retained his WBO oriental super bantamweight title.
In the first bout, A.J. "Bazooka" Banal of the Philippines defeated Caril Herrera of Uruguay in a referee-stopped fight in the fourth of a 12-round bout.
Herrera had to take a standing eight-count in the third round after being brought down to his knees by a series of face punches by Banal. The fight, ruled a technical knockout in favor of the Filipino, was stopped at 1:18 into the fourth round.
The first match was an eliminator for the the International Boxing Federation (IBF) move up to the No. 1 spot.
Among the spectators at the event were Sen. Ramon Revilla; Manny Pacquiao, the new World Boxing Council super featherweight champion, with wife Jinkee; Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican WBC former super featherweight champion whom Pacquiao just defeated; and Luisito Espinosa, former World Boxing Association bantamweight champion.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The main event is the title fight between reigning WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand. The undercard will feature three title fights:
Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista versus Mexico’s Genaro Camargo
AJ “Bazooka” Banal versus Uruguay’s Caril Herrera
Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales versus Korean Yoo Shin Kim
“Invasion” Philippines vs. the World which was slated at the Araneta Coliseum will be aired live on April 6 on ABS-CBN.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tickets to the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch in Las Vegas are almost all sold out, according to fight promoters.
With still four days left before the March 15 bout (March 16 in the Philippines, only a few $400 tickets are left, according to Bob Arum, chief executive officer of Top Rank Promotions.
Tickets range from $600 for a ringside seat to $100.
"There are some $400 tickets, but that's it. Everything else is sold out," Arum told reporter Lala Roque-Galongca in an interview aired on Wednesday over 24 Oras, GMA Network's early evening newscast.
The rematch, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort, have attracted not only ordinary fans but also many professional boxers.
"Some of the best fighters in the world will be there in attendance to see this great showdown," Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions. - GMANews.TV
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Manny Pacquiao arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday (Monday in the US West Coast) without any nervousness about his Unfinished Business rematch with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
Dead set on being in top form, Pacquiao went through his last day of training, doing four rounds of sparring with two Mexican fighters, at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles before driving off to Las Vegas, where the fight is scheduled for March 16 (March 15 in the US) at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez pose in L.A. Monday. They will vie for the WBC Super Featherweight title on March 15 in Las Vegas.
Good Luck to both of YOU!!!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
LOS ANGELES – After seven weeks of hell – on the road and in the gym – Manny Pacquiao’s weight is, officially, down from 150 to 133 lbs. And with a week left before the official weigh-in for his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, meeting the 130-lbs limit poses no problem. After a two-hour workout that included four rounds of sparring, Pacquiao was weighed before a WBC representative at the Wild Card Gym Saturday. "He’s 133!" yelled Eric Brown, the conditioning coach, as Pacquiao, surrounded by his trainers, fans and media, tipped the scales, only in his boxers, then smiled. Bonie Martinez of the WBC stood beside Pacquiao as he was weighed exactly a week before the awaited super-featherweight championhip at Mandalay Bay. It was a WBC-mandated weigh-in, and it called for both Pacquiao and Marquez, the reigning champion, to weigh no more than 136.5 lbs. Marquez was also weighed before a WBC representative in Mexico City. He came in at 131 lbs, just two pounds lighter than his weight last Feb. 15. The Mexican fighter has never had any problems with his weight. Pacquiao admitted Friday that when he arrived in LA last Jan. 15 for the two-month training, he was at 150 lbs. He was down to 139 lbs a month after. "We’re slowing down the work. Three pounds to go with a week away is no problem," said Roach who said he lost a friendly $20 wager to fellow trainer Buboy Fernandez. Roach had hoped for Pacquiao to weigh in at 132 lbs, Fernandez went for 133 lbs, and Nonoy Neri gambled on 131 lbs. But they all looked happy after the weigh-in. "I ate twice after yesterday’s workout (late afternoon and in the evening) and drank lots of water this morning. That’s why I was 133," he said. "But all the hardships will soon be over," he said. Pacquiao sparred two rounds each with Ramon Montano and Juanito Garcia behind closed doors, and looked far from impressive. Against two Mexicans, he got caught, or allowed himself to get caught, with good punches a number of times. But never did he appear to have been hurt. Montano landed some good punches on Pacquiao, but each time the Filipino would laugh it off by saying "Come on! Come on!" Once he got caught by the undefeated Garcia on the ropes, and was tagged a number of times. Then Pacquiao connected with a nice flurry of punches, and he chased the Mexican. But the bell sounded, ending the session. "I guess he was a little bored boxing Monday. He’s getting used to his sparring partners he’s getting a little friendly. But he’s okay," said Roach. As Pacquiao got off the ring, after a minute of prayer, he shouted "Let’s get ready to rumble!" Maybe he must be getting bored. -via abs-cbn interactive
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Manny Pacquiao is not worried about overtraining as his long-time trainer Freddie Roach has been, according to the Filipino boxing icon himself in a live phone interview aired over GMA's Saksi late Friday night.
"Ako kasi ginagawa ko lahat para 100 percent ang kondisyon ko (I just want to do everything so that I would be 100-percent in condition)," Pacquiao told news anchors Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales.
The training, his most extensive in his entire career, has given him some new techniques that he could use on Juan Manuel Marquez, with whom he has a rematch on March 15 in Las Vegas (March 16 in the Philippines).
Pacquiao, a southpaw, hinted that he has some new techniques involving his right hand.
"Marami pang ibang technique and napaga-aralan namin," Pacquiao added.
With still a week for the much-awaited rematch, Pacquiao said he was very much ready.
"Maganda naman ang kondisyon natin (My condition is good)," he said. "Reding-ready tayo, 100 percent – physically, mentally, spiritually. At si Lord na lang ang bahala sa taas ng ring (I'm very much ready, 100 percent – physically, mentally spiritually. And it's up to the Lord what happens in the ring)." - GMANews.TV
Friday, March 7, 2008
By his own reckoning, Manny Pacquiao has been going through the most strenuous training of his entire career, to prepare himself for his rematch with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Freddie Roach, his long-time trainer, is impressed but has been warning Pacquiao against overtraining."He makes my job easy,you know. You don't have to motivate Pacquiao," Roach said in an interview at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles with Chino Trinidad of GMA Network. "But the thing is, right now I'm having trouble holding him back. I'm worried he might overtrain."
Pacquiao first faced Marquez back in 2004, knocking out the Mexican no less than three times in the first round alone. But at the end of the 12-round bout, the judges declared it a draw, stirring controvery, especially among Pacquiao's Filipino fans.
In this rematch, dubbed Unfinished Business both fighers are driven to win so they could blow away the cloud of doubt cast over their prowess by their controversial 2004 match.
For Pacquiao, the stake is biggers, since he's going to try to wrest the World Boxing Council super featherweight title from Marquez, who in turn had won the belt from compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera.
"I've never seen him focused," Roach said of Pacquiao in the interview with Trinidad, which was aired over GMA's Saksi on Wednesday night. "We are averaging over 30 rounds a day, sometimes 37. Today we did 20 rounds on the mitts."
The Pacquiao-Marquez rematch – to be aired by GMA Network and Solar Sports – takes place at the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort in Los Angeles on March 15 (March 16 in the Philippines). - GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines - "Pacmania" hit the Bay Area on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) in San Francisco when Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao came to visit the Titanium Training Center for his public workout.
Eastsideboxing.com said that fight fans with their children packed the gym to see the Filipino boxing sensation, who is preparing for his rematch against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 (March 16 in the Philippines).
"I've never trained harder - never - for a fight," Pacquiao said as quoted by the boxing Web site.
Pacquiao wowed the crowd with his fighting stance and other training regimen like jumping rope and hitting the mitts before signing autographs.
"Two days ago I hit the mitts with Freddie Roach for 17 straight rounds with no timeouts. I run high in the mountains every day, then I go to the Wild Card gym and train 3 hours non-stop. I don't like timeouts while training and do not use them," Pacquiao said.
"I am very serious about this fight as I know Marquez is the last great Mexican to beat. There is no more Morales or Barrera. I have a lot of power. In my heart I don't believe Marquez can stand up to my power. It will be too much for him to overcome. I am focused on Marquez and my boxing career. When I am in training, that is all that matters to me," he added.
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said that Manny made a good decision to train in the United States.
"The best thing Manny did was come to the US and train. He has worked very hard. He's been very tough on his sparring partners," Roach said.
"One got hit on the chin, went down, continued but went home the next day. Manny is very serious about Marquez, which he should. It is a difficult fight and Manny understands that. Marquez represents the last line of defense in Manny's domination of Mexican champions. We
know he's prepared to go down swinging," he added.
On the other hand, an article by John Chavez on boxingconfidential.com revealed that, "Had the open workout taken place on a football field in a city just south of San Francisco named Daly City, there's no doubt in my mind that thousands of fanatics would have shown their faces in support of their hero."
Chavez added that fans were screaming the boxing icon's name like a rock star when he entered the training center.
Chavez said that the sounds generated when Pacquaio hit the mitts is "comparable to that of a Desert Eagle gunshot as Manny pounded Roaches mitts with a ferocity that would make any Juan Manuel Marquez supporter quiver with fear."
Chavez added that "...Maybe not Desert Eagle gunshots but at least .38 caliber-type fireballs are what the southpaw's punches were reminiscent of."
Chavez quoted Pacquaio as saying that "Marquez might be 34 years old but he's still a relatively fresh fighter. He hasn't engaged in too many wars over the course of his career so I feel that he has a lot more left in the tank than many people believe.This will be the most difficult fight of Manny's career Freddie. It's gonna be a tough, tough fight!" - GMANews.TV
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