Juan Manuel Marquez Univision Interview (TRANSCRIBED IN ENGLISH)
Hey, I transcribed this myself, so please excuse any mistakes. I'm excited about the fight and thought others who don't speak Spanish might want to hear from JMM...
JMM: Right now I'm doing light training before the fight. It's a week before the fight, that's when you do light training and things are bit more relaxed. The hard, heavy training already happened. You want to go into the ring suitably rested.
UNI: Why fight Juan Diaz and how have you prepared differently for this fight?
JMM: I'm preparing myself differently. I'm not watching videos (of Diaz). My trainer Nacho Beristain is in charge of watching videos. He's the only one watching video. He's determining the style and he's preparing me, telling me how to fight this match. I prepare myself for anything that can happen in the ring. Because if you mentally prepare yourself watching video of your opponents and they switch up their style when you actually fight them, which can happen... that happened to me once before... that's why I decline to watch videos anymore. We've prepared ourselves for anything that can happen in the ring. We will decipher his style inside the ring.
UNI: You trained in Mexico. Where and why?
JMM: Like always, we trained here in Mexico City, here in Toluca for the high altitude. We're 15,000 feet above sea level. Why here? Because we have more oxygen, more red blood cells, more white blood cells. I've always had good results when training here. I feel strong and fast. Why change anything?
UNI: Let's talk about Pacquiao. Those are very important fights in your career. Your first fight was a draw, and many people thought you won the second fight, but unfortunately you lost on the scorecards. Do you think you won the second fight?
JMM: Well, the first fight was more close. It was a harder fight, there was 3 knockdowns and they called it a draw. After the fight I said I won, but it was a draw. The second was more of the same. It was also a hard fight, he knocked me down in the 3rd round. He surprised me as I was trying to deliver a hook to the body. But I thought we dominated the rest of the fight though. I saw a repeat of the fight and I thought I won.
UNI: Do you think there will be a third fight against Pacquiao?
JMM: Personally, I would love a third fight with Pacquiao. Why? Because the fans are demanding it. And the people are the best judges. They are in charge. They are the ones that buy tickets. They fill our pockets, so to speak. I don't know, for the third fight to happen the fans really need to apply pressure somehow. Me, personally, I would love a third fight to happen.
UNI: You're down with Golden Boy Promotions. For Oscar's fight with Pacquaio, which he lost, didn't he ask you for advice or did you give him any tips before the fight?
JMM: Actually no. I was there Wednesday before the fight and I was there for the training session in Manoplas. Out of respect, I wouldn't say anything to Oscar, but I told his brother Joel to tell Oscar to move his waist, to fight at the same rhythm and speed as Pacquiao, because that gives him problems. That's what I told his brother Joel. Out of respect for Oscar, I didn't say anything to him because they had been preparing a plan for the fight and if I come in and say something they're gonna look at me like, "This guy is crazy." But I did give some tips to his brother, but I don't know if he said anything to him. I was surprised . I'd be so embarrassed that fire would come out of my ears. But I guess each person involved in the fight knows what happened. Only Oscar knows what happened.
UNI: What do you think about the Margarito handwrap scandal?
JMM: Well, I think if the CSAC and the people in charge of looking at the wraps already did their job and determined that there was an illegal substance in the wraps, I think that Margarito and his trainer knew what they were putting in the wraps. And if any manner they were at fault, they have to pay. Margarito says he doesn't know what they were putting in his wraps. Me, when Ignacio Beristain is wrapping my hands, I know what he's putting on my fists. I know how he's wrapping my hands. It's illogical that didn't know. At the end of the day, they found a substance that shouldn't have been on the wraps. I think that when you're found guilty, you have to pay, no?
UNI: Any shout outs?
JMM: Like always, I'd like to thank my family, my kids and my parents. Of course, all my fans, first and foremost, who allow me to box. Who shout "Marquez" and "Viva Mexico" . A big hug from Mexico City. And I hope you support me in Houston. I'll need it. It's gonna be a great fight.
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