Pound-for-pound King Manny Pacquiao has vowed to make his Nov 12 clash with Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez an enthralling toe-to-toe scrap, when they clash live on Primetime (Channel 480 on Sky).
The previous bouts between the pair have been engaging battles, with little between both fighters. Marquez has always maintained that he was the victor in their previous two fights, despite a draw in their first clash and a split decision in Pacquiao’s favour in the second. But now the Filipino legend has promised more fireworks in their upcoming trilogy as he takes on a Mexican great, famed for his never-say-die attitude.
“Juan Manuel Marquez has the right to make alibis about not winning our two previous fights. It’s because of those alibis that I am so motivated for our upcoming fight. I want to end all the questions he has raised about who won our past fights and who the better fighter is,” said Pacquiao.
“The years between each fight has made it more interesting. Which of us has improved more? I have improved a lot. I am a more complete fighter than when we fought previously. I am now a tow-fisted fighter. My right is as potent, as powerful and as dangerous as my left. I have as much confidence in my right as I do in my left,” added the reigning WBO welterweight champion.
“Another difference between Marquez and me is that since our second fight, I have challenged bigger opponents with a lot more success than he has. This will be an exciting fight because our styles make for exciting fights. He likes to fight toe-to-toe as I do. We both like action and to engage our opponents,” he said.
The part-time Filipino congressman, Pacquiao, also believes he has a few questions to answer in this match-up.
“I have something to prove in this fight. I expect Marquez to be faster and stronger than the last time we fought. He is the ultimate competitor. I am prepared to go another brutal 12 rounds just like the previous two fights,” promised Pacquiao.
“There will be a lot of action in this fight. We both have a lot of pride when we enter the ring representing our countries, fighting for the honor of our nations,” he said.
Pacquiao’s legendry trainer, Freddie Roach, fears for his pupil believing that Marquez may be the one fighter who knows how to beat the eight-division world champion.
“The last two times they fought, Manny got complacent after knocking Marquez down. Instead of fighting his own fight he followed Marquez and began fighting his fight – big mistake. I think Manny won both fights though Manny made them closer than they should have been,” said Roach.
“I’m worried that Marquez could have Manny’s number. He is the only fighter who seems to have figured out Manny’s style. That is why I am training Manny for the knockout — to clear the air on who is better. Manny is going to shut up Marquez once and for all – I’m sick of his whining,” Roach added.
“Marquez will be surprised when he faces this version of Manny. He no longer fights in one direction or with one hand. Manny has become a complete fighter. He moves laterally in both directions and he throws potent punches with both hands. Manny has so many more weapons than the last time they fought. I think Manny knocks out Marquez in the sixth round,” said a confident Roach.
The November 12 clash will be screened live and exclusive in the UK on Primetime (Channel 480 on Sky). Having screened some of boxing’s biggest names including Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan and Carl Froch, Primetime are set to get boxing fans mouths watering again with a potential ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.
You can order this great night of boxing, which is also set to feature both Timothy Bradley and Breidis Prescott, for only £14.95 by calling 08712004444*, by visiting www.primetimelive.co.uk or Virgin Media customers can purchase using the ‘On Demand’ menu. Customers on Sky must register the first time they use Primetime and once registered can purchase using the ‘box office’ menu.
