Row deepens for Pacquiao, Marquez

MANILA, Philippines - It’s easy to feel the animosity between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez who just wrapped up a quick three-city press tour for their coming fight.

Pacquiao’s legal counsel, Franklin Gacal, said the two boxers hardly spoke to each other during the times they were together under one roof or inside the same room.

“Talagang hindi nag-uusap (They never spoke),” said Gacal.

The lawyer from General Santos City said Pacquiao had a couple of times tried to initiate some conversation with Marquez but didn’t get anything in return.

“Ayaw talaga ni Marquez eh. Kahit pinapansin na ayaw pa din. Hindi siya kagaya ng iba (Marquez won’t talk to him. He’s different from the others),” Gacal said yesterday.

Even during the press tour for their third fight last November, it was pretty obvious the two boxing superstars were not in the mood to talk to each other.

There’s just this high level of animosity that always ensures great action every time they climb the ring.

“I think it’s because Marquez, up to this day, thinks that he won all three fights with Pacquiao. He feels he was robbed in all three fights,” said Gacal.

“Wala tayo magagawa kung yun ang paniwala niya (We can’t do anything if that’s what he thinks).”

Pacquiao and his small entourage, including Gacal, arrived from Los Angeles yesterday morning from the press tour that had quick stops in LA, New York and Mexico City.

Gacal said all’s set for the fight on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It’s a non-title fight at the full welterweight limit of 147 lb.

Gacal said Pacquiao will begin his training in Los Angeles on the second week of October, days after the boxer personally files his candidacy for the 2013 May elections.

The deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy for all candidates will be on Oct. 5.

Marquez spoke to www.boxingscene.com and said he plans to climb the ring against Pacquiao no heavier than 144 lb.

“Although the limit of the fight is at 147 pounds, I won’t weigh that much. I’m going to climb into the ring at 143 or 144 pounds, which is a weight I physically feel better,” said Marquez.

Gacal said Pacquiao won’t be far behind or far ahead. When they last fought in November 2011, Pacquiao tipped the scales at 143 and Marquez at 142.

“No matter what he does, Manny always tips the scales under 147, and climbs the ring just a couple of pounds heavier,” he said.

“Ganun pa din yan (It will be the same),” Gacal added.