Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39KOs) faced off moments ago on the New York leg of the four city press tour to promote their November WBO welterweight title clash.
The event kicked off with Pacquiao and Dan Hill belting out their perhaps unlikely hit 'Sometimes when we touch', shortly before Bob Arum took to the podium to announce the two fighters and their representatives.
(Much to the amusement of Freddie Roach and Pacquiao, Michael Koncz's announcement was met with loud jeers from the crowd)
Arum then began his opening statement:
"This fight has been eagerly anticipated by the boxing community for years."
"This is a world wide event because Pacquiao is a world wide figure and probably the most famous athlete in the world. Wherever you go whatever continent you're on whenever you mention boxing everybody knows Pacquiao"
He also mentioned that the fight was now sold out.
Marquez's trainer Nacho Beristain then took to the podium:
"I don't have much to say this is a very natural fight, we're going to see a 3rd war between Mexico and the Philippines. I want to thank the people of the Philippines for the great warm reception we got."
"We know that this time we are facing a very tough Pacquiao who developed into an excellent fighter thanks to Freddie Roach. With his strength and power he is the complete package."
"We think we have an opportunity to make a big statement. It would be great for my fighter to beat Pacquiao at this stage of his career."
Beristain also commented that he believes the presence of Bob Arum influenced the outcome of the first two fights:
"I believe for the second fight my fighter wasn't good enough to get the decision and I think promoter Bob Arum weighs into a decision. We hope Bob Arum can balance the fight this time"
Arum in response gave some background to Beristain's statement, commenting that he was Marquez's promoter for the first fight, Pacquiao's for the second and now represents both of them, presumably making the fight fairer in Beristain's estimation.
Arum continued:
"Marquez presents a puzzle for Pacquiao that he has not solved in 24 rounds and that puzzle is that in our opinion Marquez is the greatest counter-puncher in boxing today and probably in the last 30 years. Pacquiao is an aggressive fighter that comes forward so therefore Marquez's style is a perfect answer for Manny"
Arum also addressed the cachweight issue.
"Weight stuff is nonsense, both are going to weigh the same on the night of the fight, they're older now and they can carry a lil but more weight."
Pacquiao vs. Marquez III is being contested at a catchweight of 144lbs, or in other words the same weight that Pacquiao comes in at regularly for welterweight bouts anyway. Marquez's last fight was at 140lbs, although he regularly fights as a lightweight. Whether he can adapt to 144lbs may well be a deciding factor in whether the fight is as close as the last two or a rout in Pacquiao's favor.
Arum also did his best to address the fact that Marquez's last fight at welterweight was a less than close encounter saying:
"Marquez when you look at him against all the aggressive fighters he's fought, Katsisis, Diaz, he is someone who is a great counter-puncher."
"In the Mayweather fight where he didn't look good, styles make fights. Mayweather is a defensive fighter and as a counter-puncher you lose your advantages against a defensive fighter."
How much of Marquez's performance on that night was down to the difference in size and how much was down to a clash of styles is uncertain although it is perhaps telling that since his loss to Mayweather he has remained at lightweight, only moving up in weight again ahead of his clash with Pacquiao.
The fighters then took the podium, starting with the challenger:
"I want to start off thanking Pacquiao, his team and Bob Arum for accepting this challenge and all people around the world who support this fight especially Mexican and Latino people"
"Lots of people saw the last two fights end controversially"
"This time I'm looking for a knockout with more intelligence and patience"
Pacquiao then made his statement:
"I'd like to invite everyone to watch on the 12th gonna be a great fight. Lots of boxing in the ring, Marquez will train hard to answer to all doubts in the fans minds I will train hard too to give a good fight and pretty sure a lot of boxing in the ring because I want them to see when something is wrong and something is right."
A fairly cordial encounter once again between the two rivals then, both of whom seem eager to conclusively finish the trilogy.
Rich Andrews, Pitt: "That's why Mayweather sells, he says stupid things all the time. Pac and Marquez are too polite to each other"
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