MANILA, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez shadow-boxed and limbered up in front of a huge mirror, surrounded by his supporters and some members of the media.
He looked like Lou Ferrigno, the “Incredible Hulk.”
Yes, the 38-year-old Mexican, gearing up for his Nov. 12 clash with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, has bulked up and has grown so big it’s a little hard to recognize him these days.
Marquez, during last September’s whirlwind press tour for his third clash with Pacquiao, said he will be a changed man by the time he climbs the ring at the MGM Grand just 25 days from now.
He is a changed man.
Marquez has added up on the muscles he thinks he’d need to beat Pacquiao, now the reigning welterweight champion.
“I need to prepare myself physically for this fight. My body must be ready as well as my mind,” said Marquez, who has hired medical experts to make sure he bulks up without sacrificing on speed.
In a 57-second video that was posted at www.pinoygreats.com, Marquez, the lightweight champion, was shown as he wrapped up his training in Mexico, in white trunks and groin protector.
His feet bounced off the floor as he shadow-boxed and shuffled, and smiled at those near him. He looked fast, muscular and ready.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, continued to train at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, and entered the crucial stages in sparring.
A fresh batch of sparring partners is coming his way after Jorge Linares left for a recent fight, while Hastings Bwalya, the Zamibian fighter, was reportedly given the pink slip.
Bwalya sparred four rounds with Pacquiao over the weekend, and proved a little cocky, and paid the price – a bloody nose.
Pacquiao is peaking just in time for the fight, cool, calm and collected as he awaits the November issue of Playboy Magazine where he will be featured.