Even though Juan Manuel Marquez insists he both won his two previous fights with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, the ageing but durable Mexican still considers his upcoming third meeting with the Filipino southpaw is a tough fight.
"This is a very hard fight," said Marquez of his scheduled November 12 encounter against his 32-year-old nemesis at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Marquez, who will be 38 by the time the welterweight fight is held, drew his initial encounter with Pacquiao in 2004 despite being knocked down thrice by the Sarangani representative in the opening round.
In their much-awaited 2008 rematch, Marquez was at the losing end of a controversial 12-round split decision.
Twice, the native of Mexico City insisted he was robbed of victory.
But despite of his claim of “winning" both matches, Marquez still give the eight-time world champion a measure of respect, saying he has to be in 'his best ever’ shape to beat the Pacman.
"We need to get well prepared mentally and we need to be in better physical condition than we've ever been in the past so we can beat Pacquiao," he said.
"But I know how to beat him," he added.
To get himself in better shape, Marquez, owner of a 52-5 record with 38 knockouts, will have a tune up fight on July 16 against a still undetermined opponent.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum made it clear that should Marquez lose the scheduled July match, the meeting with Pacquiao will be called off. – JVP, GMA News
Source: gmanews.tv
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