Marquez goes shopping, enjoys warm reception

MANILA, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez spent a couple of hours at the Mexican Embassy in Legaspi Village in Makati City yesterday, and enjoyed great Mexican food for lunch.

 Then he took a swing at nearby Greenbelt 5 for some shopping, and left the high-end mall with the goods: two pairs of shoes each from Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

 He was back at the Manila Hotel before 2 p.m., and went straight up to his suite for some rest before he joins Manny Pacquiao for dinner in a another hotel.

 It’s only Marquez’ second day in the country, and already he seems to enjoy the very warm welcome from fans.

Top Rank’s Ricardo Jimenez said Marquez is highly recognized by Filipinos wherever he goes, from the airport to the hotel, the embassy and while he was shopping.

 “You knew people recognize him in the mall because they were pointing to him. They just couldn’t get near because he had eight bodyguards around him,” said Jimenez.

 This afternoon, Marquez will get a bigger glimpse of the Filipino hospitality when he joins Pacquiao in grand show at 2 p.m. at the historic Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

 It serves as the kickoff leg of the four-city world press tour that will also bring the fighters and their trainers to New York (Sept. 6), Los Angeles (Sept. 7) and Mexico City (Sept. 8).

Today’s show, to be preceded by an official press conference at 11 a.m., is one fight fans shouldn’t miss.

“I think that if the people want to see something historic years from now then come out and be a part of it because people will be talking about this fight and this tour,” said chief promoter Bob Arum.

“And the great thing is you don’t need to spend a single centavo,” he added.