25.03.04 – By Dennis Principe – WORLD featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico swears his world titles are worth dying for. This was the bold statement made by the Mexican world champion in a press conference yesterday at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles where his bout versus Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao was officially announced.
“There will be fire in the ring on May 8th. It took a lot for me to become a World Champion and only in death will I relinquish my belts” declared Marquez. “Manny is a great fighter, but I am fighting not only for myself but my wife, my children, my parents and all of my country”
Marquez cautioned Pacquiao of not looking beyond their 12-round title fight and guarantees that he is very much motivated to give the flamboyant Filipino star a sound beating.
“What’s he thinking….that I’m going to roll over? Pacquiao just gave me all the motivation I need. Wait until you see me in training camp.” Said Marquez of his title fight to be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 30-year-old Marquez (42-2,33 KO’s) officially holds two world title belts, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) crowns.
Marquez, who won the IBF belt by stopping durable Mexican world champion Manuel Medina in the 7th round on February 1, 2003, last fought on November 1 where he added the WBA diadem via 7th round Technical Decision over the lanky American Derrick Gainer.
The 25-year-old Pacquiao (38-2-1-, 30 KO’s) meanwhile is coming off a devastating 11th round TKO win over three-time champion Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio on November 15.
Pacquiao somewhat startled media people attending the news conference when he made an announcement that he is looking forward to facing another Mexican idol, WBC superfeatherweight champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales on July 31.
“Marquez is a great fighter and I respect him as the champ, but I am a champ too!” Pacquiao said,” This is a big important fight and I have to win if I want to fight Erik Morales on July 31st.”
Apparently, those who attended the news conference where still not aware of a proposed Morales-Pacquiao tiff.
MGM sports book plans to open Pacquiao as a 7-to-5 favorite over Marquez.
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