MANILA, Philippines — Juan Manuel Marquez phoned a dear friend in Los Angeles a few days ago, reminisced about their good old days, asked about his trip to Manila this coming week and told him how thrilled he was facing Manny Pacquiao for the third time.
Ricardo Jimenez, the Spanish-speaking publicist of Top Rank, said Marquez was animated during their conversation about the long journey to the Philippines as though he was a kid who was about to go to Disneyland for the very first time.
“He told me he has been waiting for a long time for this (third) fight to happen,” Jimenez said, sensing the bitterness in Marquez’s voice.
Marquez feels he was robbed of a win when judges ruled a split draw the first time he fought Pacquiao in May 2004 and the mental anguish worsened when Pacquiao escaped with a split decision four years later.
While the Nov. 12 rubber match Pacquiao and Marquez 3 has already been signed, sealed and delivered by both camps, Marquez is looking forward to the day that Top Rank big boss Bob Arum makes the formal announcement at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Manila will be the kickoff leg of a four-city press tour that travels to New York City, Los Angeles and Mexico City and Marquez is actually bringing along a crew from TV Azteca to film some portions of a program for the Mexican TV network.
Jimenez said Marquez is a talent of TV Azteca and as much as 10 people from the station are setting up camp in Manila to do some filming.
Jimenez said he had been with Marquez two weeks ago for a promotional shoot and was not surprised at all the fighter looked in great shape despite the inactivity.
“Marquez always takes good care of his body,” said Jimenez.
“He doesn’t get fat like Erik Morales or Miguel Cotto when they’re not in training.”
As animated their talk was, Jimenez said he felt guilty not to call Marquez back.
“As I was looking at Marquez’s personal data, I saw something and immediately got him back on the line.”
“Hey, happy birthday,” said Jimenez.
Marquez turned 38 last Aug. 23
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