Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez arrived in the Philippines before dawn Thursday to promote his upcoming fight with Philippine boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao.
Marquez, who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 aboard a Philippine Airlines PR-103 flight, said he looks forward to the Nov. 12 fight with Pacquiao, who he said is a "great fighter."
"We're friends outside the ring; inside the ring he's a great fighter," he said in an interview aired on dzBB radio.
He said he will be training while in the Philippines, and will be working on his speed and power.
But he also said he plans to watch a billiards match in Manila scheduled for this month. He said he is a billiards aficionado.
"Yes, I like to play billiards; in Mexico I have a business [and] I want to see the tournament [in Manila]," he said.
On the other hand, Marquez promised his "best effort" for Nov. 12, adding he will "prepare mentally" as well.
"I've been waiting for this fight [for] three years," he said.
On November 12, Pacquiao vs Marquez will again step into the ring in Las Vegas to end a boxing trilogy.
Upon his arrival at the NAIA-2 at 4:55 a.m., Marquez went through the mandatory procedures including a thermal scan.
A report by radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen said the thermal scan is standard procedure now that the government is on alert for the bird flu virus.
A separate report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said Marquez received a warm welcome at The Manila Hotel where he will be billeted during his stay in Manila.
While in Manila, Marquez is to pay a courtesy call on Mayor Alfredo Lim where the Mexican boxer is to be feted as the city's adopted son.
He will then hold a joint press conference with Pacquiao about their November fight at the Luneta Park on Saturday. — LBG, GMA News
Source: gmanews.tv
No comments:
Post a Comment