MEXICAN boxer Juan Manuel Marquez arrived in Manila on Thursday to promote his much-awaited rubber match with Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao.

Together with Top Rank Chief Executive Officer Bob Arum, Marquez arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 from Los Angeles aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 on Thursday morning.

The 38-year-old Marquez wants the Filipino people to remember him as a good and respected fighter.

“Filipinos are generous and very hospitable like Manny,” said Marquez upon his arrival in Manila.

The Mexican fighter, who is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association lightweight champion, will be in Manila for the promotional tour of his November 12 welterweight title fight against Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Filipino is the reigning the WBO welterweight champion who has a record of 55 wins, three losses and two draws with 38 knockouts.

Marquez said over a radio interview said that he and Pacquiao are still friends outside the ring. He added that he will be training for the fight while in the Philippines.

“Pacquiao is a great fighter inside the ring and we’re friends,” he added.

The Mexican fighter promised to give his best effort against Pacquiao, adding that he has been waiting for a rubber match with the Filipino for three years.

Reports said that the Mexican fighter will be staying at the Manila Hotel for the whole duration of the promotional tour in the Philippines.

Marquez, who has a record of 53 wins 5 losses and one draw with 39 knockouts, will attend a press conference with Pacquiao on Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The Mexican will also meet with the Mexican ambassador to the Philippines.

On Sunday, Marquez will attend a mass at the Manila Cathedral.

He will also grace the World Pool Master at SM North EDSA and attend a dinner with Solar Sports at the Midas Hotel.

The Mexican boxer said that he is preparing hard for his third match with Pacquiao, who is the representative of Saranggani province in the Congress.

“I have to work on my speed and power since Pacquiao is tremendously fast and strong. I have to prepare mentally as well,” added Marquez, whose last fight was a first round knockout win over Likar Ramos in July.

Lim courtesy call
On Thursday afternoon, Marquez paid a courtesy call to Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila, accompanied by Arum, manager Nacho Beristain, Fernando Beltran, Solar Entertainment owner Wilson Tieng and former Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur. Other city officials of Manila also welcomed the Mexican boxer.

“Your challenge to fight Manny Pacquiao has been accepted so may the best man win,” Lim told Marquez. The mayor also gave Marquez the symbolic key to the City of Manila.

The third fight between Marquez and Pacquiao, the mayor said, will be shown to Manila residents for free in the city’s six sports complexes.

While many boxing pundits believe that Marquez won’t stand a chance against Pacquiao at welterweight, where the Filipino has been so far dominant, legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee believes the Mexican can still pull an upset.

In an interview with boxing website eastsideboxing, Dundee said that Marquez knows Pacquiao’s style and will win via decision over the Filipino boxing icon.

“Marquez will give Pacquiao a tough fight every day that they’re alive. Another tough fight.
Probably Pacquiao’s toughest fight, because Marquez is a guy who knows how to fight him. Decision, split, Marquez,” the legendary trainer was quoted as saying by eastsideboxing.

Pacquiao and Marquez fought for the first time in May 8, 2004, which ended in a controversial draw. In their rematch on March 15, 2008, Pacquiao got away with a split decision victory over Marquez. In those two fights, Marquez was knocked down a total of four times but was able to regain his composure to punish the Filipino boxing icon with some of his best shots while absorbing the explosive haymakers of Pacquiao.

Marquez only had one fight at welterweight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 19, 2009 where the Mexican was floored and lost by a wide decision over 12 rounds.

On the other hand, Pacquiao has won all of his bouts against bigger welterweights like Miguel Cotto whom he stopped in eight rounds. He also holds unanimous decision wins over Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Sugar Shane Mosley. Only Clottey, who fought Pacquiao defensively, escaped without his face getting busted or hitting the canvass.