TOP Rank boss Bob Arum is so impressed with Manny Pacquiao
that he said his training would be a good template for other fighters to follow
to ensure good fights everytime.
"I’ve heard Juan Manuel is in great shape but I have
witnessed with my own eyes how Manny Pacquaio trained for this fight. If I could
get a blueprint for how he trained and get all other fighters to use it, we
would have great fights night after night," said Arum Wednesday during the final
news conference before the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch dubbed "Unfinished Business"
on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas (Sunday in
Manila).
"The conditioning is so important as his stamina and ability
to withstand punishment is at his highest peak. I don’t know another fighter –
and we have (WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly) Pavlik and (WBA
welterweight titleholder Miguel) Cotto who worked hard – but I have never seen
anyone prepare like Manny Pacquaio has for this fight," Arum added.
Marquez stakes his WBC super featherweight title against
Pacquiao, who reassured fans he will deliver a good performance.
"It will be a great fight on Saturday as I heard Marquez has
trained very hard and doesn’t want to let his countrymen down. But I don’t
either as I need to win this fight for my people as this is the key to the
Filipino unity. Not only for myself but all the people who love boxing,"
Pacquiao said.
"I want them to be satisfied with my performance and not
disappoint them on Saturday. I will do my best to make them happy. I also pray
that both Marquez and me will be safe and all fighters will not get hurt in the
ring."
World renowned trainer Freddie Roach is also very confident,
saying his ward avoided all distractions and is very focused on the fight.
"Manny came to camp early and we usually have a rule that we
don’t play basketball and I didn’t even have to worry about it. He said he
didn’t want to play this time because this fight is so important," said Roach.
"We are ready and I am looking forward to the fight and
Saturday night."
Marquez steps into the ring as world champion, as in their
first encounter almost four years ago when he held the IBF and WBA featherweight
titles.
That fight ended in a draw after Pacquiao floored Marquez thrice in the
opening round only to allow the latter to recover and survive 12 rounds.
