GOBBLER’S KNOB, (Groundhog Day 2008) — At 7:27 A.M. today, Punxsutawney Phil — seer of all seers, predictor of all predictors — emerged from his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, PA, and proclaimed, in his native Groundhogese, that MANNY PACQUIAO’S dominance over Mexico’s greatest fighters would continue with a victory over WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manual Marquez on March 15!!
“Juan Manuel Marquez’s reign as world champion will last just six more weeks,” stated Phil as he shadowboxed during his annual news conference. “It’s going to be ‘hasta la vista, baby’ for Marquez. Manny is going won-on-Juan with a blizzard of punches. He has two victories over Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera and wins over Oscar Larios, Emanuel Lucero, Hector Velazquez and Jorge Solis; is it any wonder he’s known as Republica Enemy No. 1?”
The world’s most famous prognosticator, wearing a Pacman headband and a T-shirt emblazoned with “100% PHILipino” on the front, went on to predict that Pacquiao would be winning additional world titles in the lightweight and super lightweight divisions this year.
“Manny is going to be the modern day Henry Armstrong! He’s going to win three more world titles in three different weight classes over the next 10 months, becoming a six-division world champion! He’s a Manny for all seasons!” exclaimed Phil.
When pressed for a definitive answer on whether Marquez had a chance to defeat Pacquiao, halting his dominant streak over Mexican warriors, Phil astounded the media by answering in English.
Quoth the groundhog, “Nevermore.”
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions and sponsored by Tecate Beer, Rock Star Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines, Marquez-Pacquiao II Unfinished Business will take place Saturday, March 15 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Remaining tickets, priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100, can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s Wrst at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com