KO WIN WILL PUT EMPHATIC END TO TRILOGY'

Freddie Roach wants Juan Manuel Marquez down and out in November. “Victory is no longer enough. I want Manny to knock out Marquez,” declared the celebrated trainer from the City of Pines yesterday.

Pacquiao and Roach are entering their second week of training in Baguio, for the Nov. 12 showdown with Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Roach spoke to reporters yesterday and said he wants Pacquiao to finish Marquez off, and shut him up.

Pacquiao is coming off a unanimous victory over Shane Mosley last May, but experts felt the Pinoy champ was a little too soft on his opponent.

They touched gloves the whole fight, smiled at each other in the days leading to the fight, and hugged like brothers at the end of the fight.

Roach doesn’t want to see that in November.

“No more Mr. Nice Guy,” he said.

But he admitted that it’s not an easy thing to do with Pacquiao because “how can you teach him not to be (nice) when he is the nicest person around.”

Still, if he could have his way, Roach said it should be war inside the ring when Pacquiao and Marquez meet for the third time.

Continue Reading at Philstar

Manny Begins Sparring vs Venezuelan

Manny Pacquiao shifted to high gear when he started sparring as he prepares for his title defense against Juan Manuel Marquez in November.

“Patindi na ng patindi ang training namin (It’s just getting tougher in training),” said the Filipino boxing sensation from the City of Pines.

He’s in his first week of training in Baguio, and while his chief trainer Freddie Roach said sparring should begin next week, it actually did yesterday.

Roach was impressed with what he’d seen in Pacquiao over the last couple of days, and this could be the reason why they went on with four rounds of sparring.

Pacquiao, who started doing light training almost four weeks ago, has lightweight Jorge Linares as his sparring partner in Baguio.

In a TV interview, Pacquiao said he decided to train with Linares because the Venezuelan fighter needs more sparring rounds in his buildup for his Oct. 15 fight against Antonio Demarco of Mexico at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao also told local mediamen that while they’re doing the same training regimen, they’re putting more hours into it.

And more hours should mean greater results when the fight is held Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Padagdag ng padagdag yung oras ng training,” he said.

A couple of weeks ago, Roach said he wants a different Pacquiao to climb the ring against Marquez for the third time since 2004.

Roach said Pacquiao will be “more scientific” this time compared to their two previous fights when they “got a little careless just trying to land a good shot.”

Also training with Pacquiao at the Shape Up Gym of the Cooyesan Hotel are Filipino boxers Lorenzo Villanueva and Rodel Mayol.

“I’m here to share with them everything I know,” said Pacquiao.

Trainer Buboy Fernandez said the “real thing” comes next week, adding that Pacquiao is not taking anyone lightly, including Marquez.

“Hindi basta-bastang boksingero kasi si Marquez kaya dapat paghandaan (Marquez is no ordinary boxer so we need to prepare hard),” said Fernandez.

“Kahit na sabihin na nating tinalo natin siya ng dalawang beses eh dapat handa pa rin si Manny (Even if we say we’ve beaten him twice),” added Fernandez.

The first fight, at 126 pounds, ended in a draw because one of the judges scored the first round at 10-7 when he should have scored it 10-6 because Marquez went down thrice.

“Kailangan nating mag ensayo ng mabuti (We still need to train hard),” Pacquiao said.

(source: Phil Star)

Roach arrives for Pacquiao training camp

Four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Tuesday morning from Los Angeles, California.

Roach will go straight to Baguio, where he will begin training pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao for his bout against Juan Manuel Marquez.

"Manny's motivated to get ready for this fight, and we're right on schedule," Roach said.

Along with Roach, Venezuelan boxer Jorge Linares will also go to Baguio to be one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners. According to Roach, there are 2 more sparring partners for Pacquiao on their way to the Philippines.

Pacquiao will train in Baguio for 1 month before completing his training camp in Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

Pacquiao starts training in Baguio

Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao arrived in Baguio City Monday night to start his training camp.

Pacquiao will train at the Shape Up Gym for his trilogy bout against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

His coach, Freddie Roach, arrived in Manila Tuesday morning, along with Pacquiao’s main sparring partner Jorge Linares.

Pacquiao will train in Baguio City for 1 month, but will finish their training camp in the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. -- Report from Maira Wallis, ABS-CBN News North Luzon

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao Lacks Focus On Marquez Fight

Coach Nacho Beristain, Marquez’s trainer told press reporters about Pacquiao’s busy and tight schedule. Manny Pacquiao who is both a congressional representative and singer will likely spell his own downfall on fighting with a physically fit Marquez. Beristrain, said that Pacquiao lacks the focus to continue on with his training and he lacks the discipline in doing so.

Beristrain is a well-noted trainer for being able to shape up 20 Mexican world champions and making them famous all under his watch. He continued to state that Pacquiao’s juggling acts with many hats has made him unable to focus and train for a well fit and phyisically trained Marquez during their fight.

Already at age 32, Pacquiao a beloved hero in his fellow hometown continues to gain support even after his tight schedule. Fight experts view Pacquiao as the best pound-per-pound fighter for being able to make it up past his prime. Pacquiao is going up against an aging Marquez this coming November. As boxers start at the age 30 bracket, they slowly lose their skills and likewise diminish as time goes by.

Boxing fans see Pacquiao still in his prime age as he is still faster, cunning, and still packs a punch in his welterweight level, a feat that some boxers may not be able to go further way past their prime. Marquez who in the other hand is bitter about their past two fights is still confident enough of their third match to win in his favor. Pacquiao together with his trainer Freddie Roach are taking on Marquez seriously as the aging 38-year old boxer is confident enough not to make the same mistake all over again. Pacquiao vs Marquez will settle their score once and for all in their third fight this coming November 12 at the MGM Grand.

Roach: Well try New Tack vs Marquez

Manny Pacquiao has learned from his mistakes in dealing with Juan Manuel Marquez, the great Mexican counterpuncher.

His trainer, Freddie Roach, said they’re planning a different kind of approach for the fight scheduled Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.

“We’re not going to walk into his punch,” said the celebrated trainer.

In his first two meetings with Marquez, the 32 year old Pacquiao often walked straight into the Mexican’s right hand, and often got hurt.

Pacquiao also took some good uppercuts from Marquez. He was bloodied in both fights, and in fact came so close to losing.

Roach said this time will be different.

“We will be more scientific in this fight,” said Roach, who must be thinking of new ways by now, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Roach is still in Los Angeles but is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Saturday. The following day they travel to Baguio for the three-week training.

Roach had watched closely as Pacquiao walked into Marquez’ punches and said there should be a way to take a different approach.

“In the first two fights, we got careless trying to land one good shot,” he said of the draw in 2004 and a narrow decision for Pacquiao in 2008.

Pacquiao is aware of the great task on hand, and that’s the reason why he’s leaving no stone unturned in his training.

When he used to train seven to eight weeks for his previous fights, Pacquiao wants a couple more weeks more for this one.

Even before the press tour unfolded last week, he’d been in and out of the gym or out on the road.

“Marquez is tough,” said Pacquiao, who was at the Planet Jupiter Gym the other day for some workout.

Roach welcomed the idea of Pacquiao flexing his muscles even before he flies in because this way they won’t have to start from scratch when they get to Baguio.

“We can begin sparring right in the second week,” he said.

(source: Phil Star)

Marquez Kicks Off Training on Pacman’s Turf

MANILA, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez yesterday made sure he’s one step ahead of Manny Pacquiao in training.

The Mexican boxer had barely enjoyed the comforts of his nest at the Manila Hotel, following a 12-hour flight from Los Angeles, when he decided to go out for a run.

Marquez, who flew in at around 5 a.m. on a Philippine Airlines flight, did a couple of rounds at the historic Quirino Grandstand, with a couple of his handlers and security officers.

Marquez also took a glimpse of the hotel’s fitness center and said he wanted to drop by later in the day. Yes, he’s raring to train on Pacquiao’s turf.

“I will train here. I will train when we get to New York and Los Angeles,” said Marquez, referring to the next two stops of the press tour for his coming fight with Pacquiao.

“I will prepare myself hard. I waited three years. I want to be ready. I have to be careful,” said Marquez, whose counter-punching style suits Pacquiao well.

Marquez, the last boxer who came close to beating Pacquiao, wasn’t surprised to learn that Pacquiao had also started training for his defense of the WBO welterweight crown.

Almost two weeks ago, Pacquiao broke sweat at the Rizal Memorial track oval, and last Monday he caught people by surprise when he went to a gym in Makati to train.

Pacquiao loves being late – in his engagements as well as in training. But for this fight, one he should win in convincing fashion, he’s taking on a different approach.

“Hindi ako puwede mapahiya dito sa laban na ito (I can’t afford to lose face in this fight),” Pacquiao was quoted by his legal counsel, Franklin Gacal, as saying.

Marquez said Pacquiao is doing the right thing.

“Because he knows who Juan Manuel Marquez is,” said the 38-year-old Mexican who flew in with his trainer Nacho Beristain, Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran and his own media team.



Top Rank chief Bob Arum came with his men, Ricardo Jimenez, Fred Sternburg and Brad Jacobs. They’re all here for tomorrow’s Manila leg of the press tour at the Quirino Grandstand.

A press conference is set at the Manila Hotel at 11 a.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m.

Marquez said age wouldn’t matter when he locks horn with Pacquiao for the third and probably the last time. The fight is set Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“This is a different fight,” said Marquez who drew with Pacquiao in 2004 at 126 pounds, and bitterly lost a split decision at 130 pounds in 2006. This time, they will fight at 144.

A little past noon, Marquez left the hotel in a convoy of 12 vehicles for a courtesy call on Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Arum rode with former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and The STAR columnist Joaquin Henson.

The mayor presented Marquez with a symbolic key to the city as hundreds employees of the City Hall cheered and welcomed Pacquiao’s next opponent.

“Mahal ko kayo (I love you),” Marquez responded. – With reports from Rudy Santos and Sandy Araneta

(source: Phil Star)

Pacman, Marquez ready for press tour

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez : Photograph Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - The stage is set for the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez press tour, and chief promoter Bob Arum said a couple of days ago he can already feel the excitement.

“There is no question, there has never been a press tour that will have encompassed this distance,” the ageless and energetic Top Rank chief told Ring TV.com.

“This is incredible because it’s one complete tour that is going around the world,” he said of the tour that swings by Manila, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City in just six days.

It will cover a total of 25,000 miles, and both fighters, plus members of their small entourage, will practically hop in and out of planes, both commercial and private, night and day.

It’s green and go.

But that’s unless Hurricane Irene, with gusts of up to 115 mph and an incredible wingspan of 500 miles, stands in the way of the tour’s New York City stop on Sept. 6.

People will start arriving in Manila on Sept. 1, including Marquez and his handlers, Arum and his team, Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, and a handful of mediamen.

Continue Reading at Philstar

'Pacquiao will wreck Marquez'

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao won’t beat Juan Manuel Marquez in their third face-off -- he will wreck the Mexican champion, said conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Ariza told Fighthype.com that the fighting congressman from the Philippines will have an easier time disposing Marquez because he’s been healthier during his last few fights.

The conditioning coach said Pacquiao has had difficulties in his first 2 fights against Marquez because of health issues.

“Those are the fights when I wasn't with him you know? He had a lot of those ailments. He had a lot of leg problems, he had shoulder problems,” said Ariza.

Now that Pacquiao has recovered, he won’t need to exert too much effort on trading punches with Marquez.

“He had to make moves and adjustments because of his leg [injury], so he won't have to make those. He'll be able to use the angle that he wants to use if he wants to use them. If he wants to go in and just go toe-to-toe and knock this dude out early, he'll be able to do that,” said Ariza.

The added weight will also work to Pacquiao’s advantage. The fight will take place at the 144-pound catchweight.

“He'll have the strength and the power to do that as well,” said Ariza.

The conditioning coach said Pacquiao has shown significant improvements in his fighting style.

He added that Marquez won’t know what hit him.

“Manny's a whole different fighter than back in those days,” said Ariza. “Marquez is going to get wrecked.”

Source : ABS-CBN NEWS

Marquez Going for KO vs Pacman

Juan Manuel Marquez is going for the knockout because he believes it’s the only way he can beat Manny Pacquiao.

The crafty Mexican fighter said he wouldn’t let the fight, scheduled Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, to go through the scorecards.

The 37-year-old Marquez thinks he was the winner of his two previous fights with Pacquiao in 2004 and then in 2008.

The first one ended in a draw after one of the judges erred in calling the fight while Pacquiao won the second by a slim margin.

“When we fought, I landed more power shots, but the judges didn’t see it that way,” Marquez told www.boxingscene.com .

“To avoid all of this, it is necessary to knock him out and we will be fighting to do that,” added the boxer, who once wore a shirt saying he beat Pacquiao twice.

“It’s going to be difficult (to stop him) but it is not impossible. I already (beat him) twice, and the only difference here is the weight,” he added.

Their first meeting came at 126 pounds, and the second at 130. This time, it’s at a catchweight of 144 pounds.

The welterweight division (with a limit of 147 pounds) is Pacquiao’s current home, and Marquez will have to put on a lot of weight just to get there.

Marquez had only fought once at over 140 pounds, when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., and the result was a disaster.

But Marquez insisted that it could be done.

“I’m work(ing) to gain weight but with speed and power, and that’s what is motivating me to get up to run and to train hard.

Source: Phil Star