By John F. McKenna (McJack): Top Rank chairman Bob Arum believes that Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) will need to take his “A” game with him to Las Vegas on November 12 if he is to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s). Arum believes that Marquez still has what it takes to win this fight unless “Pacman” is at his best.
Arum was quoted in the Philippine Star as saying “I think Marquez is a big test for Manny. Manny is aware of that. Their first two fights were close. Manny has to be at his best to win over Marquez.”
Manny’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight title will be up for grabs when Pacquiao and Marquez slug it out at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight will be held at a catchweight of 144 pounds, considering that Marquez will be moving up from lightweight where he is the reigning WBC 135 pound titlist.
Pacquiao and Marquez will begin a media tour to hype their fight in late August or early September. Pacquiao, Marquez, Roach and Marquez trainer (Nacho) Beristian will all be on hand for the kick off of the tour in Manila. Arum is using the tour, not only to hype the fight with Marquez, but to give Pacquiao world wide exposure for possible future bouts.
Arum dismisses the notion that Pacquiao has lost his killer instinct since his last three fights against Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley have all gone the distance. Arum explained away the charges by some who make that claim, by saying that Pacquiao does not like to rain more punishment on an opponent who is thoroughly beaten.
Arum went on to say that when Manny is faced with an opponent who is still fighting back, boxing fans will see the return of the fighter who destroyed Ricky Hatton and many other fighters.
Pacquiao has come under fire by some fans and boxing writers alike who felt that his demeanor with Shane Mosley was too friendly, both at the weigh in and during the fight itself and it did not make for an exciting bout to watch. Pacquiao trainer Freddic Roach was annoyed with his fighter’s friendly demeanor during the Mosley fight, particularly the touching of gloves before and after every round. Roach expressed that annoyance with Manny.
It is worth noting that the combatants in any boxing match do not have to be snarling and sneering at each other for added realism. On the other hand, boxing fans do not want to feel as though they are at a love fest when they put their money down to watch a fight.
Comments are closed.