But Pacquiao is not just a boxer. This is perhaps the reason why he was able to transcend the sport of boxing and become a global icon. These are his many faces.
Showing posts with label Filipino Boxing Icon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Filipino Boxing Icon. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2015
The many faces of Manny Pacquiao
But Pacquiao is not just a boxer. This is perhaps the reason why he was able to transcend the sport of boxing and become a global icon. These are his many faces.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
LOOK: 'Brothers in Christ' Tebow, Pacquiao at Wild Card Gym
This time, it is former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow who paid Pacquiao a visit.
On Instagram, Tebow said it was "awesome" to spend time with Pacquiao, whom he called his "Filipino and Christian brother."
Pacquiao posted a similar picture on his own Instagram page.
Tebow was born in Makati in 1987 and has opened a hospital in Davao City.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Friday, November 21, 2014
Pacquiao, the street kid who conquered the world
With his single mother was unable to support him and his five siblings, he made his way to Manila and ended up living on the streets.
When someone suggested to the young Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao that he divert his energies to a local boxing gym, it turned out to be a shrewd piece of advice.
"I kept winning and almost became a boxer without knowing," said the man who would go on to make history as the only winner of world titles in eight weight divisions.
He soon caught the attention of national amateur selectors and made the Philippines team.
With lodging and subsistence provided, it proved the beginning of one of the most glittering careers the fight game has ever known.
"Manny" (as he became known) Pacquiao's natural talent and speed, coupled with a fearsome work ethic, saw him work his way up to being lauded as "the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world".
Pacquiao (56-5-2) will command a payday in excess of $20 million dollars when he fights Chris Algieri at the Venetian Macau, one of the world's largest and grandest casino resorts, on Sunday morning -- a far cry from his desperate beginnings.
It is perhaps memories of his younger impoverished days that prompt Pacquiao never to refuse requests from family and friends.
His philanthropy and generosity are well known, and resulted in the Filipino icon paying for two Airbus A320s emblazoned with his face to fly his 300-plus entourage the two hours from General Santos to Macau for the fight.
His fame and fortune in the ring also enabled him to study and finally pass his high school exams in 2007 at the age of 28.
A college degree followed in 2009 and a further qualification in legislation and governance paved the way for him to be elected with 66 percent of the vote in May 2013 as a congressman in his wife Jinkee's home province of Sarangani. He was re-elected unopposed in 2013.
Back in his pomp
Now just two weeks away from his 36th birthday he shows no little sign of slowing down his hectic life.
Boxing and politics aside, he is also a singer, actor, church minister, army reservist and player-coach for Kia Motors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), playing seven minutes of their season opener last month to the dismay of his long-time Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao won his first world title at flyweight in 1998 and added a super bantamweight title a year later, but it wasn't until he teamed up with Roach in 2001 that his career really took off as they forged one of the most successful partnerships in boxing history.
Pacquiao went on to win multiple world titles, sweeping aside the world's best.
Marc Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto were all demolished by the Filipino.
Two defeats in 2012 -- a devastating knockout against Marquez and a controversial points decision against Timothy Bradley -- led some to think Pacquiao's star was fading.
But a year ago in Macau he regained his pomp with a comprehensive win against Brandon Rios, and then took Bradley apart in their rematch.
There remains just one thing missing on his considerable CV -- a megafight with the unbeaten American great Floyd Mayweather.
The signs are that if Pacquiao beats Algieri as expected Sunday, the pair will finally touch gloves next year in the richest event in the history of sport -- it will generate an estimated $1 billion.
Whoever suggested that a scrawny Manila street kid should go to the gym could never have imagined where it would lead.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Latest teaser for Pacquiao documentary released
MANILA, Philippines – The latest teaser for the documentary on Manny Pacquiao’s life has recently been released.
The film simply titled as “Manny” features the life of the Filipino boxing icon, his rise to fame and even his misfortunes.
The film is narrated by Hollywood actor Liam Neeson and directed by Academy Award winner Leon Gast and Ryan Moore.
Gast is best known for the documentary “When We Were Kings” which depicted the historical boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
"Manny" is due for release this 2014.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Pacquiao, Rios make weight for Macau clash
MANILA - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and American rival Brandon Rios appeared together to weigh in for their much-awaited match in Macau.
In checkered boxer shorts, Pacquiao tipped the scales at 145 pounds and Rios weighed in at 146 ½ pounds.
"I feel happy because of the crowd. I'm not expecting them. There's a lot of people coming to the grand arrival but I'm surprised by their support and I'm so happy and excited," Pacquiao said.
Sunday's bout is a make-or-break fight for the Filipino fighting congressman, one of the most important battles in his 18-year professional career.
Pacquiao suffered two straight losses against American Timothy Bradley and Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao described his preparation for the fight as one of the longest camps in his boxing career.
In earlier interviews, Pacquiao offered the fight to survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.
"I'm so happy the fight is in Asia, especially very close to the Philippines," he said.
Rios, for his part, said he is ready and will fight Pacquiao with his "heart and my balls. I'm young and I want that title."
The Pacquiao-Rios bout will be held at the Venetian Macao, Cotai Arena in Macau.
Top Rank's Bob Arum said it's going to be a great fight.
"I think it has a chance to be Fight of the Year," Arum said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Saturday, November 2, 2013
'Fast-paced Pacquiao will pick Rios to pieces'
MANILA, Philippines – Brandon Rios will find himself severely lacking when he goes up against a rapid punching Manny Pacquiao, according to a fighter who has already beaten the Filipino superstar.
WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley said that although he thinks Rios is the bigger puncher, he believes Pacquiao’s speed will be too much for the Mexican-American to handle.
“There is always risk when you are in there with a big puncher, absolutely, but like I always tell everybody, speed kills, speed kills in every sport, it does not matter what sport it is,” Bradley, who edged Pacquiao via a controversial split decision, said in an interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radio.
Bradley added that Rios tends to slug it out while applying pressure on his opponents. This, he said, makes the Mexican-American vulnerable to Pacquiao’s quick and well-timed strikes.
“Rios is not a real big defensive guy at all. He keeps his hands high, but Pacquiao is the kind of fighter that punches through guards,” he said.
“I feel that he’s going to punch through Rios’ guard and pick him to pieces.”
Bradley said that if Pacquiao successfully hits Rios with regularity, that is a possibility that the Mexican brawler might succumb to pressure and go down.
“I don’t know if he’ll knock him out, but there’s a possibly that he can, he can bust him up and possibly get him out of there,” he said.
Former junior welterweight contender Marcos Maidana begged to disagree with Bradley.
Maidana, who trains with Rios under boxing coach Robert Garcia, said Rios is the younger and hungrier fighter.
He stressed that with youth, the 27-year-old Mexican-American can offset any advantage the 34-year-old Pacquiao might have.
“His (Pacquiao) speed and his strength and his boxing ability could give him problems. But Brandon is Brandon and he’ll definitely overcome that,” said the Argentine boxer in Hustle Boss.
“[Brandon is] a fighter and like I said, he has the youth, and that’s going to be a major factor,” Maidana added.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Pacquiao won't sue doc over Parkinson's claim
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is not going to sue a medical doctor who claimed that Pacquiao is showing signs of Parkinson's disease.
In an interview with ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo, Pacquiao said all he wants is an apology from Dr. Rustico Jimenez, who said in a radio dzMM interview that he had observed signs of the disease when Pacquiao gives TV interviews, such as stuttering and hand-twitching.
Pacquiao said he feels 100% fit, and that he plans to fight twice in 2013.
Jimenez, the president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP), said he only gave his personal observation, adding that Pacquiao should subject himself to more tests.
"I'm not labeling Congressman Pacquiao as having Parkinson's disease," he told ABS-CBN News. "Observation ko lang 'yun... Ang sinasabi ko, magpatest siyang mabuti."
"Kung nasaktan siya because of my observation, e humihingi na ko ng apology sa kanya," he added.
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), for its part, said Jimenez may have violated ethical standards when he said Pacquiao was showing signs of Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Santiago del Rosario, a member of the PMA ethics committee, said Pacquiao’s primary physician has the sole authority to make public statements on the boxer’s physical state.
“The channeling should be from the primary physician and nobody else can make any opinion or express any position as far as the health of any patient. That is not his patient,” said Del Rosario, when asked about the controversy during a PMA press conference.
The PMA said it is a fundamental duty of any doctor to maintain confidentiality of any information concerning their patients.
It added that issuing a statement even without personally examining a person would lead to misunderstandings.
“Especially on the case of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, I will just keep quiet and not say anything else ... I don't want the public to misunderstand me,” said PMA president Dr. Modesto Llamas.
Jimenez said he's prepared to appear before the PMA ethics committee if summoned. -- report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
source: abs-cbnnews.com
In an interview with ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo, Pacquiao said all he wants is an apology from Dr. Rustico Jimenez, who said in a radio dzMM interview that he had observed signs of the disease when Pacquiao gives TV interviews, such as stuttering and hand-twitching.
Pacquiao said he feels 100% fit, and that he plans to fight twice in 2013.
Jimenez, the president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP), said he only gave his personal observation, adding that Pacquiao should subject himself to more tests.
"I'm not labeling Congressman Pacquiao as having Parkinson's disease," he told ABS-CBN News. "Observation ko lang 'yun... Ang sinasabi ko, magpatest siyang mabuti."
"Kung nasaktan siya because of my observation, e humihingi na ko ng apology sa kanya," he added.
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), for its part, said Jimenez may have violated ethical standards when he said Pacquiao was showing signs of Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Santiago del Rosario, a member of the PMA ethics committee, said Pacquiao’s primary physician has the sole authority to make public statements on the boxer’s physical state.
“The channeling should be from the primary physician and nobody else can make any opinion or express any position as far as the health of any patient. That is not his patient,” said Del Rosario, when asked about the controversy during a PMA press conference.
The PMA said it is a fundamental duty of any doctor to maintain confidentiality of any information concerning their patients.
It added that issuing a statement even without personally examining a person would lead to misunderstandings.
“Especially on the case of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, I will just keep quiet and not say anything else ... I don't want the public to misunderstand me,” said PMA president Dr. Modesto Llamas.
Jimenez said he's prepared to appear before the PMA ethics committee if summoned. -- report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News
source: abs-cbnnews.com
Sunday, January 6, 2013
WBC president 'worried' about Pacquiao
MANILA, Philippines – World Boxing Council (WBC) president
Don Jose Sulaiman expressed his concern for Filipino boxing icon Manny
“Pacman” Pacquiao, who suffered a devastating knockout loss to Mexican
rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December.
In a statement released to Boxing Scene, Sulaiman called Pacquiao’s knockout loss “dramatic.”
“No one could withstand such a powerful punch, right on the button, and that is worrying,” Sulaiman said.
“I pray that Pacquiao has no health problems, because he’s been the biggest star of the past decade and the world of boxing owes so much to the Filipino,” he added.
Sulaiman noted that the WBC named Pacquiao their “best of the decade.”
Last week, a neurologist said the “Pacman” may be showing early signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Rustico Jimenez, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, told DZMM that he observed Pacquiao showing early signs of Parkinson’s, including stuttering and hand-twitching.
Jimenez said that he has not met with Pacquiao personally to check on his condition, but added that the boxer’s hand twitches, which he saw during TV interviews, is a cuase of conern.
Pacquaio, however, has stressed that he is in good health and criticized both Jimenez and forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun for being irresponsible and showing “a total lack of ethics.”
After Pacquiao’s loss to Marquez, Fortun called on the boxer to retire in order to prevent further head trauma.
But Pacquiao insisted that there was nothing to worry about. “I am 100% healthy,” Pacquiao told Boxing Scene.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
In a statement released to Boxing Scene, Sulaiman called Pacquiao’s knockout loss “dramatic.”
“No one could withstand such a powerful punch, right on the button, and that is worrying,” Sulaiman said.
“I pray that Pacquiao has no health problems, because he’s been the biggest star of the past decade and the world of boxing owes so much to the Filipino,” he added.
Sulaiman noted that the WBC named Pacquiao their “best of the decade.”
Last week, a neurologist said the “Pacman” may be showing early signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Rustico Jimenez, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, told DZMM that he observed Pacquiao showing early signs of Parkinson’s, including stuttering and hand-twitching.
Jimenez said that he has not met with Pacquiao personally to check on his condition, but added that the boxer’s hand twitches, which he saw during TV interviews, is a cuase of conern.
Pacquaio, however, has stressed that he is in good health and criticized both Jimenez and forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun for being irresponsible and showing “a total lack of ethics.”
After Pacquiao’s loss to Marquez, Fortun called on the boxer to retire in order to prevent further head trauma.
But Pacquiao insisted that there was nothing to worry about. “I am 100% healthy,” Pacquiao told Boxing Scene.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Pacquiao showing early signs of Parkinson's disease?
MANILA, Philippines – A neurologist on Thursday said he has been observing early signs of Parkinson's disease from Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.
Dr. Rustico Jimenez, President of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, told radio dzMM that among the early signs of Parkinson's being exhibited by Pacquiao include stuttering and hand twitching.
Jimenez urged the Filipino champion to retire from boxing in order to avoid what happened to Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and award-winning trainer Freddie Roach who were both afflicted with the progressive disorder of the nervous system.
"Kung ako naman ang tatanungin, siguro dapat mag-retiro ang ating pambansang hero na si Manny," he said.
"Lalo pong nadadagdagan ang trauma, lalo pong magkakaroon siya ng problema. Pwedeng later on Alzheimer's disease naman."
In a separate phone interview, Jimenez clarified that he could be wrong with his observations, but nevertheless told Pacquiao to be cautious.
He said while he has not met Pacquiao to personally check on his condition, his hand twitches during television interviews should be a cause for concern.
"Yung movement, although mabilis ang reflexes, napapansin ko lang - another view or personal view lang naman ang sa akin - parang may early signs," he said.
"May mga movements napapansin mo sa kamay. Sa kamay usually, sa ulo hindi natin makikita agad, nagtu-twitch ng konti. Although I haven't seen very close, parang nakikita ko lang mayroong ganoon."
Chronic trauma
This is not the first time that a medical expert raised concerns over Pacquiao's health.
Dr. Raquel Fortun, a renowned forensics expert in the country, earlier said she is not convinced with the CT scan results clearing Manny Pacquiao following his knockout loss to Mexican foe Juan Manuel Marquez.
She said severe head trauma could lead to Alzheimer’s disease or a form of dementia that worsens over time.
She said several studies have been done on the effect of chronic trauma or repeated hits to the head among athletes, particularly boxers and football players.
Fortun said the knockout punch that hit Pacquiao was actually 2 hits: when Marquez's fist connected with Pacquiao's face and when the boxing champ fell face down on the canvass.
"Delikado yun. Pag naalog yan yung utak mo kasi hindi fixed na fixed yan sa bungo so pag naaalog ang utak, may napu-putol putol na connections. May mga small hemorrhages ka," she said.
She said a severe blow to the head could damage the dura mater, which is a membrane that surrounds the brain. Once damaged, it could lead to a subdural hematoma.
The forensic expert expressed alarm over reports that Pacquiao allegedly had a slight seizure after falling unconscious from Marquez's hammer blow to the head. – with David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com
source: abs-cbnnews.com
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Jinkee: I was really scared for my husband
MANILA, Philippines – Jinkee Pacquiao admitted she was not ready to see her husband Manny Pacquiao fall down and unable to move after the Filipino boxer walked straight to the right hand of Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday.
In a phone interview with “The Buzz,” Jinkee said she wanted to run to her husband, who was on the ring motionless for what seemed like a long time, but some people restrained her.
“By the grace of God, I'm okay, he’s okay. Nagulat ako kasi first time ko nakita si Manny na matagal nakabangon so natakot talaga ako. Gusto ko umakyat sa ring pero gusto nila yung mga doktor muna, titignan muna siya,” she said.
Jinkee said she did not think anymore that Pacquiao lost the fight because all she was thinking about at that moment was his health condition.
She said Pacquiao already had himself checked in the hospital and that all his scans were clear.
“Praise God na okay naman siya. Hindi na namin iniisip na natalo siya, basta ang mahalaga yung kalusugan niya,” she said.
According to Jinkee, she talked to Pacquiao about not fighting again but her husband just remained silent.
“Unang sinabi ko sa kanya may purpose si Lord na baka gusto niya huminto ka na sa boxing, mag-focus na lang tayo sa pag-serve sa kanya. Wala lang siyang sinabi, tahimik lang,” she said,
Jinkee said Pacquiao already talked to their children, who watched the bout on television in the Philippines.
“Tinawagan na ni Manny kanina 'yung mga bata. 'Yung dalawang babae. okay naman. Sila pa 'yung nagsasabi pa ‘Papa, okay lang 'yan, gusto namin happy ka.’ Pero 'yung dalawang lalaki, medyo galit sila. ung anak ko na si Michael, binato pa daw yung TV kanina,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jinkee thanked all the Filipinos who supported and prayed for Pacquiao.
“Para sa mga kababayan natin, nagpapasalamat kami na nandiyan kayo. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat diyan sa Pilipinas,” she said.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Malacanang wishes Pacquiao the best in boxing match with American Bradley
MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang wished all the best for Sarangani Representative and Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao who will be exchanging mitts with American pugilist Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley as it expressed confidence that the Philippines’ pride will be victorious.
In a regular press briefing in Malacanang, Friday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Filipino people will surely continue supporting Pacquiao as they will be watching the fight on June 10, Sunday (Manila time) which will be televised live from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada USA.
“We wish Congressman Pacquiao the best of luck… the nation will be watching intently. We watch him for his fight against Timothy Bradley and we know that again, the Pambansang Kamao will prevail,” Valte said.
The southpaw Pacquiao, who has a professional record of 54 wins (38 knockouts), 3 losses and 2 draws will be defending his WBO welterweight title against the undefeated Bradley.
The very first eight-division world champion Pacquiao have won six world titles. He was also the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes.
Pacman was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s (decade) by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time ‘The Ring’ and ‘BWAA’ "Fighter of the Year," winning the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
source: interaksyon.com
Monday, February 13, 2012
Pacquiao guaranteed $25-m for Bradley bout
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s paychecks are growing as he closes in on retirement.
Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champion, is guaranteed to earn $25 million (over P1 billion) for his fight against Timothy Bradley, said Top Rank’s Bob Arum in a conversation with News5.
This is $3 million higher than his $22 million guaranteed purse for fighting Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time last November.
The guaranteed purses reflect the amount Pacquiao will receive for the fight, and do not include earnings from pay-per-view sales and commercial endorsements.
The fighting pride of General Santos City is set to defend his WBO welterweight title for the fourth time against southern California’s “Desert Storm” on June 9 (June 10 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bradley will receive $5 million for fighting Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound king. This will be his biggest paycheck in his career.
Arum added that Pacquiao is expected to sign his contract when he flies the United States. Over the weekend, Bradley announced that he already signed the contract.
Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles via a Philippine Airlines flight on Thursday.
Arum likewise confirmed that both fighters will hold press conferences in Las Vegas on February 19 (February 20 in Manila), Los Angeles on February 21 (February 22 in Manila), and New York on February 23 (February 24 in Manila).
“Pacman,” as the 33-year old boxing champion is fondly called, is expected to begin his high-altitude training in Baguio City in March.
source: interaksyon.com
Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champion, is guaranteed to earn $25 million (over P1 billion) for his fight against Timothy Bradley, said Top Rank’s Bob Arum in a conversation with News5.
This is $3 million higher than his $22 million guaranteed purse for fighting Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time last November.
The guaranteed purses reflect the amount Pacquiao will receive for the fight, and do not include earnings from pay-per-view sales and commercial endorsements.
The fighting pride of General Santos City is set to defend his WBO welterweight title for the fourth time against southern California’s “Desert Storm” on June 9 (June 10 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bradley will receive $5 million for fighting Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound king. This will be his biggest paycheck in his career.
Arum added that Pacquiao is expected to sign his contract when he flies the United States. Over the weekend, Bradley announced that he already signed the contract.
Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles via a Philippine Airlines flight on Thursday.
Arum likewise confirmed that both fighters will hold press conferences in Las Vegas on February 19 (February 20 in Manila), Los Angeles on February 21 (February 22 in Manila), and New York on February 23 (February 24 in Manila).
“Pacman,” as the 33-year old boxing champion is fondly called, is expected to begin his high-altitude training in Baguio City in March.
source: interaksyon.com
Friday, November 11, 2011
Pacquiao carries extra passion to beat Marquez
LAS VEGAS - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has little to prove after world titles in a record eight weight classes, but he carries an extra fire into Saturday's fight with Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao, regarded as the world pound-for-pound king, will defend his World Boxing Organization title against Marquez after they fought to a 2004 draw and the Asian southpaw won a 2008 rematch by one point on one judge's scorecard.
Marquez taunted Pacquiao by saying he truly won both prior fights, inspiring "PacMan" to train like never before.
"This is one of the most important fights I have had," Pacquiao said. "This fight is really important to me because he says he won the first two fights. The question is what do I need to do to prove to people I won those fights."
A knockout would leave no doubt about which fighter is superior and both men have made changes to boost their chances of landing such a blow, Marquez adding muscle to boost his power and Pacquiao improving his footwork and right hand.
"With the aggressiveness Manny has had in training, I'm sure that's what he's looking for," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "He has a little extra fire in him. His attitude is aggressive. He wants this fight badly.
"If Manny puts him down I don't think he will get up."
Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their first fight but could not win and knocked him down in the third round of the rematch before barely escaping with the decision.
"I will go to my death and know that (Marquez) won that second fight," said Ignacio Beristain, Marquez's Hall of Fame trainer.
"I thought we won both of them," Roach said. "They were great fights."
Coming up empty twice against Pacquiao drives Marquez, who at 38 is six years older than the champion.
"I'm just as motivated as he is. I'm just as upset as he is because I deserved to win those two fights," Marquez said. "We're going to cure a lot of doubts."
Pacquiao, 53-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has given Beristain sleepless nights studying video while trying to find a strategy to end the 14-fight win streak of "PacMan."
"You can lose a lot of sleep thinking about Manny Pacquiao," Beristain said. "He is going to come like a lion to this fight. He has the whole Philippines on his shoulders.
"Pacquiao has a great punch. Every minute of every round you are in danger if you get hit. We have worked on ways to avoid that. We talked a lot about being more explosive with his punches.
"Manny Pacquiao is a spectacular fighter. He likes to exchange. He always wants to fight. And he has found a guy who wants to stay in there and fight with him."
Marquez, 53-5 with one drawn and 39 knockouts, is more cautious about Pacquiao's improved right hand skill compared to the first two fights.
"In the past he didn't use his right hand," Marquez said. "Now he is using the right hand with speed. We have to be careful of both hands.
"His left hand was always the big one, the one we tried to nullify. I think his right is the better one now. You have to be careful knowing that he can knock you out with either hand."
But Beristain sees a possible edge for Marquez in Pacquiao's evolution.
"He's a more complete fighter. That helps us," Beristain said. "Before he was throwing wild punches from different angles. You never knew where he was coming from. Now you know right where he is coming from. You know what he's going to do."
Not so fast, Roach warns, citing Pacquiao's footwork.
"That's the key to the fight. That's the way to draw out Marquez," Roach said. "Manny's balance is better. He will throw the wild shot here and there. With Manny, it's hard to know when he's coming.
"It's because of the footwork. It's going to cause Marquez problems."
Marquez has added muscle but that has brought speed concerns, although Beristain says Marquez can trade blows or evade punches when necessary.
"I was very concerned at the beginning. I could see he was slowing down," Beristain said. "But in the last 15 days, he has picked it up. I'm very happy with how his speed is now. He's going to be fine for the fight."
Roach sees Marquez attacking fast to make the most of his extra size.
"Marquez is going to start quickly. Why else do you put that weight on?" Roach said. "He's going to try to get Manny out of there early.
"I don't see the muscle helping at all. I don't think muscle turns into punching power. Muscle doesn't make you a better puncher." — AFP
Source: gmanews.tv
Pacquiao, regarded as the world pound-for-pound king, will defend his World Boxing Organization title against Marquez after they fought to a 2004 draw and the Asian southpaw won a 2008 rematch by one point on one judge's scorecard.
Marquez taunted Pacquiao by saying he truly won both prior fights, inspiring "PacMan" to train like never before.
"This is one of the most important fights I have had," Pacquiao said. "This fight is really important to me because he says he won the first two fights. The question is what do I need to do to prove to people I won those fights."
A knockout would leave no doubt about which fighter is superior and both men have made changes to boost their chances of landing such a blow, Marquez adding muscle to boost his power and Pacquiao improving his footwork and right hand.
"With the aggressiveness Manny has had in training, I'm sure that's what he's looking for," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "He has a little extra fire in him. His attitude is aggressive. He wants this fight badly.
"If Manny puts him down I don't think he will get up."
Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their first fight but could not win and knocked him down in the third round of the rematch before barely escaping with the decision.
"I will go to my death and know that (Marquez) won that second fight," said Ignacio Beristain, Marquez's Hall of Fame trainer.
"I thought we won both of them," Roach said. "They were great fights."
Coming up empty twice against Pacquiao drives Marquez, who at 38 is six years older than the champion.
"I'm just as motivated as he is. I'm just as upset as he is because I deserved to win those two fights," Marquez said. "We're going to cure a lot of doubts."
Pacquiao, 53-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has given Beristain sleepless nights studying video while trying to find a strategy to end the 14-fight win streak of "PacMan."
"You can lose a lot of sleep thinking about Manny Pacquiao," Beristain said. "He is going to come like a lion to this fight. He has the whole Philippines on his shoulders.
"Pacquiao has a great punch. Every minute of every round you are in danger if you get hit. We have worked on ways to avoid that. We talked a lot about being more explosive with his punches.
"Manny Pacquiao is a spectacular fighter. He likes to exchange. He always wants to fight. And he has found a guy who wants to stay in there and fight with him."
Marquez, 53-5 with one drawn and 39 knockouts, is more cautious about Pacquiao's improved right hand skill compared to the first two fights.
"In the past he didn't use his right hand," Marquez said. "Now he is using the right hand with speed. We have to be careful of both hands.
"His left hand was always the big one, the one we tried to nullify. I think his right is the better one now. You have to be careful knowing that he can knock you out with either hand."
But Beristain sees a possible edge for Marquez in Pacquiao's evolution.
"He's a more complete fighter. That helps us," Beristain said. "Before he was throwing wild punches from different angles. You never knew where he was coming from. Now you know right where he is coming from. You know what he's going to do."
Not so fast, Roach warns, citing Pacquiao's footwork.
"That's the key to the fight. That's the way to draw out Marquez," Roach said. "Manny's balance is better. He will throw the wild shot here and there. With Manny, it's hard to know when he's coming.
"It's because of the footwork. It's going to cause Marquez problems."
Marquez has added muscle but that has brought speed concerns, although Beristain says Marquez can trade blows or evade punches when necessary.
"I was very concerned at the beginning. I could see he was slowing down," Beristain said. "But in the last 15 days, he has picked it up. I'm very happy with how his speed is now. He's going to be fine for the fight."
Roach sees Marquez attacking fast to make the most of his extra size.
"Marquez is going to start quickly. Why else do you put that weight on?" Roach said. "He's going to try to get Manny out of there early.
"I don't see the muscle helping at all. I don't think muscle turns into punching power. Muscle doesn't make you a better puncher." — AFP
Source: gmanews.tv
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