By Rey Danseco
Philippine super featherweight champion Jimrex Jaca wants a shortcut to stardom and join thes league of Manny Pacquiao, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, as he is calling out the durable Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
Jaca feels that he can decisively beat Marquez, saying the counter-punching style of the former world featherweight champion may be tailor-made for his boxing skills.
The 5-foot-7 Jaca said, beating Marquez would be a “step” in joining the ranks among the top boxers in 126 to 130 pounds division.
The 22-year old champion of Cebu City’s Rex “Wakee” Salud admitted that his impressive first round knockout victory against Geronimo Hernandez on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch on Jan. 21 in Las Vegas has boosted his confidence.
However, his manager Rex “Wakee” Salud suggested “two more fights” for Jaca before taking on Marquez, who was lucky to get a draw with Pacquiao when American judge Burt Clements made a mistake in how he scored the first round -- where Marquez visited the canvas thrice -- on September 18, 2004 at MGM Grand.
“I agree with Jimrex, he’s capable of beating (Juan Manuel) Marquez. But let’s see first what will happen in his next fight and then the result in another tune up (fight) before we persistently calls out the guy (Marquez),” said Salud referring to Jaca’s next appearance in the United States, underneath the Bobby Pacquiao-Carlos Hernandez rematch that will take place sometime in March.
JACA’S POSSIBLE NEXT FOE
Jaca is pitted against Dominican Republic’s John Nolasco, a 30-year-old orthodox fighter who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds a 15-4-4 win-loss-draw record with six wins by knockout.
Nolasco should be Jaca’s opponent instead of Geronimo Hernandez in his US debut. But Nevada Athletic Commission prevented the Hernandez from fighting after tested positive for hepatitis.
“He (Nolasco) took a clean bill of health, so we’re expecting him,” said Salud.
The 5-foot-8 Nolasco is an inch taller than Jaca and has a six-inch edge in reach.
Nolasco is stablemate of Castro Valley, and the California-based Filipino brother duo made up of NABF super flyweight champ Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire and former WBO Asia pacific flyweight king Glenn “Filipino Bomber” Donaire, who are both managed under Bob Arum’s trusted right hand man Cmeron Dunkin.
