Pacman sees no problem meeting 130 lb weight

As he enters the most crucial phase of his training, Manny Pacquiao has quashed any concern regarding his weight for the March 15 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.

“We will make the weight. No problem,” said Pacquiao as quoted by Hermie Rivera, one of his constant companions in Los Angeles.

Reports coming out of LA last week, barely a month before the fight, placed Pacquiao at 139 lbs compared to Marquez’ 133 lbs, which is just a little over the super-featherweight limit of 130.

Pacquiao is in the peak of his two-month training, and after three more heavy workouts next week, should begin tapering off before he travels to Las Vegas less than a week before the fight.

Pacquiao spars on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Wild Card Gym. Last Tuesday he did 10 rounds against Ramon Montano, Juanito Garcia and Raymundo Beltran.

Pacquiao, according to Rivera, a respected Pinoy boxing analyst, is expected to top the 100 rounds of sparring prepared by trainer Freddie Roach.

“At the rate he’s reaching peak form, Pacquiao is executing with ease the drills being imparted by his excellent crew. A well-conditioned challenger will answer the call of Marquez,” he said.

While Pacquiao is in LA, Marquez is doing his thing in Mexico, and based on the calendar is almost a month ahead of Pacquiao in training, saying he normally trains three months for a big fight.

“In the ring there is no such thing as a easy fight or a small challenge, and I keep that in mind and base my philosophy on that when I am preparing for a fight,” Marquez told the Mexican press.

For the last two months now, Marquez has done nothing but train.

His day starts at 4 a.m. with a one-hour run at the snow-covered mountains of Toluca, a few hours of sleep in his home, nutritious breakfast by 9 a.m., gym work at 1 p.m., and back home at 5 p.m. to rest with his family, and dinner of chicken, fish, vegetables and fruits. Lights are out at 9 p.m.  – Abac Cordero