Pacquiao a lot better than in 2004
Trainer non-pareil Freddie Roach knows where the part of his bread is buttered.
So when he was asked over the weekend if he already knew the identities of the referee and three judges being assigned by the World Boxing Council (WBC) to work the March 15 super-featherweight title clash between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, Roach had a nonchalant reply.
"It doesn’t matter who they are," said Roach. "My job is to get Pacquiao in great shape for the fight."
Roach’s statements appear to be a reflection of his trust and confidence in what Pacquiao can do atop the ring as the future Hall of Fame cornerman has been consistent in assuring interviewers that Pacquiao is a lot better than the fighter who met Marquez in May 2004.
Alain Flores, a staffer at the Mexico City headquarters of the WBC, told the Bulletin that "the names of the officials are usually released a few days before the fight."
Even Top Rank chief Bob Arum, who is staging the event in partnership with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), admitted he hasn’t been informed by the WBC but promised to get the details at the soonest possible time.
A few weeks ago, the camp of Marquez made it known that it will reject the WBC if it appoints Puerto Rican Joe Cortez as Marquez apparently had a bad experience with the New York-bred third man in the past.
Marquez said Cortez mishandled his controversial bout with Freddy Norwood almost a decade ago and the same arbiter also earned his ire when he did not penalize Pacquiao for hitting him when he was already on the floor from a third knockdown scored by the Filipino lefty.
Being the defending champion, Marquez has a big say on the choice of officials although the champion’s team cannot recommend.
Meanwhile, Marquez told a Mexican website that a knockout victory is foremost on his mind.
"I hope to win by knockout but if I can’t do that, I will try hard to win every round convincingly so there’ll be no doubt as to the decision," said Marquez, nicknamed ‘‘Dinamita.’’
Pacquiao and Marquez had to settle for a 12-round split draw when they first rumbled almost four years ago at the MGM Grand, also in Las Vegas.
Source:mb.com.ph
Comments