LAS VEGAS — Apat na taong naghintay si Juan Manuel Marquez para sa laban na ito.
At balewala ang ilang araw pang paghihintay.
“We’ve waited four years. Three days mean nothing. I’m ready for the fight,” ani Marquez sa pamamagitan ng kanyang adviser na si Jaime Quintana.
Idineklara ng Mexican champion na handa na siya at nasa porma para sa laban na ito, isang classic rematch mula sa kanilang unang laban noong Mayo 8, 2004 sa MGM.
Ipinangako niyang tatalunin niya si Pacquiao, knockout man o desisyon at idinagdag na walang paraan para matalo siya sa laban na ito.
At ibinigay ni Marquez ang mga rason.
“I’ve become a better fighter, a stronger fighter. Now I’m like a brawler fighting in the ring,” wika niya sa mga writers sa isang tahimik na kanto ng Mandalay Bay’s Foundation Room.
Ito ang pinal na press conference para sa “Unfinished Business” na gaganapin sa Sabado (Linggo sa Maynila). At sa ika-nth time na nakaharap niya ng face-to-face si Pacquiao na tulad niya ay nangako ding ipapanalo ang laban.
“I know Pacquiao has become a better fighter also. He proved himself against (Marco Antonio) Barrera (last October). Now he has to prove yourself against me. I will be the exception,” aniya. “Manny Pacquiao insists, and Bob Arum insists that Pacquiao has prepared a lot better than any other fight. They say it was a better training camp. Everything is better and better.
“Maybe he’s afraid of me, more than Barrera or (Erik) Morales. Maybe he’s worried about something for this fight. I’m always prepared for a fight. I’d like to show my power,” dagdag niya.
“There’s nothing that can stop me from beating Manny Pacquiao.” pagwawa-kas ni Marquez