Marquez has no respect for Pinoys

International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez faces his third Filipino opponent when he stakes both his titles against Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 8 (Sunday morning, Manila).

Marquez, 30, has no fear of Pacquiao and shows no respect for Filipinos. He obliterated Reynante Jamili and Baby Lorona in decisive knockout wins a few years ago. Marquez promises to pulverize Pacquiao like he did Jamili and Lorona.

Jamili, who was stopped by Erik Morales in 1999, was Marquez’ first Filipino victim. They slugged it out at the Peppermill Casino in Reno in October 2000. Jamili was coming off back-to-back wins after losing to Pacquiao on a second round knockout.

From the first bell, Marquez stalked Jamili like a panther waiting to pounce on its prey. He bent low in a crouch, throwing a left jab here and a left hook there. Jamili looked unwilling to mix it up.

"With the contest seconds old, it was obvious Marquez was too good," wrote Boxing News. "Showing quick hands, he would fire a hard left hook to the head then com back with a short, crunching left hook to the body."

Jamili couldn’t get on track as Marquez kept him off-balance with feinting tactics. The Mexican will likely use the same moves against Pacquiao.

In the second round, Marquez stepped up his attack and peppered Jamili with double left jabs. Jamili was almost floored by a cracking left hook to the forehead. Marquez moved in for the kill and dropped the gangling Filipino with a picture-perfect left-right-left combination. Jamili got up and Marquez came charging in, again using a loud, foot-stomping feint to distract the dazed Filipino. After another fake, Marquez dug a thumping double left uppercut which staggered Jamili. A sweeping left uppercut to the body and a brutal left uppercut to the chin sent Jamili down for a second knockdown. He was up at seven.

Jamili ran for dear life with half the round over and managed to stay on his feet until the bell. But it was just a matter of time before Marquez ended the massacre. Jamili flicked a few tentative jabs as Marquez prepared for the final assault. Suddenly, referee Vic Drakulich stepped in and ordered the retaping of Marquez’ glove. Jamili took advantage of the break to clear his head and survived the round.

Early in the third, Marquez allowed himself to be trapped in a corner then whirled around to whip a dizzying double left hook to Jamili’s head and body. Badly battered, Jamili was dropped by a pair of lefts to the midsection. He rose at four but Marquez, sensing blood, turned on the heat. After another loud foot fake, Marquez uncorked a right cross to the jaw. Jamili was sprawled by the ropes and this time, didn’t beat the count.

It was a merciless demolition.

Like Jamili, Lorona hardly put up a fight against Marquez. The Mexican, known as a slow starter, didn’t waste any time asserting his superiority.

"As Marquez tore after him, breathing fire, it was obvious it wasn’t going to last long," said Boxing News. "While even the Mexican’s missed punches just whizzed, Lorona—at best, awkwardly clever—slowly pecked and pushed his blows. He did land a fair left cross but when a Marquez left uppercut connected, Lorona had the look of a man waiting for the guillotine to fall."

In the second round, Marquez led off with a right uppercut to stun Lorona. As the Filipino retreated, Marquez landed another right uppercut. Lorona collapsed but got up as Drakulich–the same referee who worked the Jamili fight–counted to eight. Marquez refused to let up and unleashed an eight-punch barrage that took the starch out of Lorona. This time, Drakulich counted to 10.

Jamili and Lorona were clearly no match for Marquez. Pacquiao, however, is made of sterner stuff. He won’t wilt like Marquez’ past victims.

Oddsmakers, who installed Pacquiao a 7-5 favorite, justified their choice by pointing to Marquez’ lack of quality opposition. The Mexican hasn’t been tested by tough opponents and his list of victims reads like a who’s not who.

In contrast, Pacquiao has battled the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Lehlo Ledwaba and Nedal Hussein–any of whom could probably repulse Marquez.

If Marquez has no respect for Filipino fighters, Pacquiao plans to change that attitude this weekend.