By James Blears.
WBC President Jose Sulaiman says that Manny Pacquiao will have to be in peak condition to defeat their super featherweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez, in their much anticipated rematch, and if he isn’t - he’ll be in for a shock.
Don Jose warned: “Juan Manuel Marquez is a first rate professional boxer, and for anybody to beat him, that person will have to be in top shape. That is the responsibility of Manny Pacquiao. He’s not going to have it easy, and much less if he’s not paying attention to conditioning.”
Don Jose says Manny must keep his feet firmly planted on terra firma, suggesting: “He may be the most devastating puncher, but if he’s not prepared, he will know that he’s not in the sky, but on earth fighting a difficult and great boxer, which Marquez is. But there’s still time. Manny has six good weeks in which to prepare.”
Manny and Juan fought to a thrilling draw in May 2004. Manny had the upper hand in round one, sensationally treble decking Juan, who managed to get up, and get back by avoiding the booming left hand while counter punching to great effect.
Manny blamed the lack of a final payoff punch to a damaged hand, hampered mobility as the fight wore on and badly blistered feet from poor socks. Manny is vowing to soundly defeat Juan this time around.
Juan believes he won their first fight, and pledges to be in the condition of his life to put this one well past any possible doubt. Then he says he’ll give Manny a trilogy-rematch, but only if he gets the lion’s share of the purse.
