By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:01:00 03/07/2008
Close this HOLLYWOOD -- He appears gaunt, the cheek a little hollow, his beard and goatee prominent. But make no mistake about it, Manny Pacquiao swears he’s never felt better.
“I’m 100 percent ready,†said the Filipino ring superstar in Filipino after his media workout at celebrated trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym here Wednesday.
“I’ve been focused on my training,†said Pacquiao. “I’m ready physically, mentally and spiritually to do battle with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.â€
Pacquiao’s rematch with the World Boxing Council super featherweight champion is set on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with the odds stacked on the Gen. Santos lefty.
Bookmakers have tagged Pacquiao a minus-185 favorite over the Mexican, meaning a $185 bet would net just $100 if Pacquiao wins. Marquez is at plus-145, meaning every $100 wager on the Mexican wins $145.
Pacquiao, however, refuses to be swayed by the figures.
“I don’t underestimate Marquez,†said Pacquiao. “He’s good, strong, that’s why he’s the champion.â€
But Pacquiao promised a good fight at the end of the workout attended by former senator and PBA legend Robert “Sonny†Jaworski and Black Eyed Peas Fil-Am singer Apl.d.ap (aka Allan Pineda).
“I’m not satisfied with my performance in my last two fights and I want to show that I’m not going downhill.â€
According to Pacquiao, his biggest concern is if Marquez, a counter-puncher, decides to run like he did after being knocked down three times in the first round of their first showdown in 2004.
“The fight will be boring if he does that,†the Filipino superstar said.
Pacquiao said he wants Marquez, who declared in a telephone conference Tuesday that he got too confident in their first bout, to fight him toe-to-toe.
“He’s ready, I’m ready,†said Pacquiao. “May the best man win.†Hala pa subscribe na mo dinha sa pay per view ni Manny or tan-aw ug live.
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