Pacquiao vs Marquez: No love in the air

LAS VEGAS – Juan Manuel Marquez has guaranteed war inside the ring on Saturday when he locks horns with Manny Pacquiao for the fourth – and hopefully the last – time.

In Wednesday’s final news conference for the big fight, the Mexican who has yet to score a win against the Filipino superstar mentioned the word “war” more than a couple of times.

“I feel very happy being here again for a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao,” said Marquez at the MGM’s Hollywood Theater packed with mediamen who are here to cover the fight.

“I want to give (everybody) another great fight and most important here is Manny Pacquiao knows me and I know him,” said Marquez as Pacquiao listened to his right.

“This will be another war. It will be another great fight because I prepared hard. I think this fight will be a war again. It’s another war. I want this fight,” Marquez said.

Pacquiao looked elsewhere as Marquez wrapped up his short speech.

The 39-year-old Marquez carries all the bitterness inside him because up to this day, and perhaps until his final days, he believes that he won all three fights.

Marquez blamed the judges for the 2004 draw and his close losses in 2008 and 2011.

No wonder during a previous interview, in a dark room nearby just before the news conference, the 39-year-old Marquez talked about the animosity he feels.

And while he insisted it’s all about professional rivalry between him and Pacquiao he said it is very unlikely for them to become friends when their fighting days are over.

“We are professional boxers and we do our jobs. Inside the ring the respect will always be there but outside…” said the Mexican who hardly talks to Pacquiao.

During their faceoff following the news conference, no handshakes were recorded.

“I feel he does have some respect for me. But after what happened in the first three fights I don’t believe we can have a personal relationship,” he said.

Marquez is not Erik Morales or Marco Antonio Barrera, who seemed to have developed some kind of friendship with Pacquiao after five grueling fights among them.

Morales even came to the Philippines after his third fight with Pacquiao in 2006, and they did a San Miguel Beer commercial together. Barrera has no problems with Pacquiao either, and just recently he visited his former rival at the Wild Card Gym. The following day they ran together.

But Marquez is Marquez. 

Even when they did last year’s press tour, it was easy to feel the animosity in the air. Once they were in a small room together, being made up for a photo shoot, they never spoke to each other.

Pacquiao was asked if he considers Marquez a friend. 

“We are friends outside the ring. But inside the ring we have a job to do,” the Filipino congressman said even if it’s really hard to believe that he and Marquez are friends.

“All my opponents, I always treat them a friend or brother. I obey the commandments of God – to love your opponents as you love yourself. I don’t have enemies,” Pacquiao said.

But then after being reminded of Marquez’ comments just minutes before he came in, Pacquiao somehow lost the handle.

“That’s his problem,” said Pacquiao.

And then he smiled – like he has no enemies.