Marquez-Pacquiao II: Now it's business as usual!

Both Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao have said what they ought to say. Now it’s time for one of them to back-up what they have claimed and get the job done.

As to who between Marquez and Pacquiao will accomplish their mission will be known this evening at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada where the proud Mexican will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight crown against the extremely popular Filipino icon in a highly probable action-packed 12-round fight.
Hopefully?

Well everyone’s hoping with a bit of luck that a winner will finally emerge between Marquez and Pacquiao and that there won’t be any déjà vu for this encuentro part deux. Marquez showed resiliency, courage and splendid skills to come back from three vicious knockdowns in the opening round of his initial encounter with Pacquiao back in 2004 to make it an unbelievably close fight and eventually settle for a draw.

It took nearly four years for this match to happen again but it should have happened a long time ago if not for the then Featherweight champion Marquez’ reported unacceptable demands (at least from what the promoters claimed) that shot down the immediate rematch.

The card this Saturday, dubbed “Unfinished Business”, will make the world stop once both Marquez and Pacquiao go into “business as usual” mode and lay claim to the storied superfeatherweight kingdom once ruled by boxing greats Azumah Nelson, Genaro Hernandez, Wilfredo Gomez and current superstars Oscar Dela Hoya and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Though he won the WBC crown by decisioning Marco Antonio Barrera last March 2007, Marquez has been hard-pressed to prove his worth as the division’s kingpin. Despite holding the WBC crown, Marquez has been excruciatingly playing second fiddle to a crownless but hugely popular Pacquiao and only a victory against Pacman will give the Mexican the recognition he’s been longing for.

“Just make the fight happen,” was what Marquez told Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) executive Eric Gomez when issues about the Mexican’s fight purse was discussed late last year.

In a recent Sports Radio interview in the Philippines, the 34-year-old Marquez said age will not be a factor for his return bout with Pacquiao who turned 29 last December.

“I am always in shape and is always disciplined. I know this will be a tough fight but I am ready. I prepared three months for this fight because I know Paquiao will also be ready,” said Marquez during his live telephone interview with “Sports Chat.”

Pacquiao meanwhile sent a strong message not only to Marquez but also to his critics by training for a full two months at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood owned by the Filipino’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach.

"It will be a great fight on Saturday as I heard Marquez has trained very hard and doesn't want to let his countrymen down. But I don't either as I need to win this fight for my people as this is the key to the Filipino unity,” said Pacquiao. “Not only for myself but all the people who love boxing I want them to be satisfied with my performance and not disappoint them on Saturday. I will do my best to make them happy. I also pray that both Marquez and me will be safe and all fighters will not get hurt in the ring."

Still, Pacquiao’s detractors insists on a strong possibility that the Filipino icon’s recent high-profile lifestyle could catch-up on him come fight night.

“It’s part of the business. You cannot please everyone but it doesn’t affect me a bit. I know Marquez is a tough fighter that is why I am training very hard for this fight,” said Pacquiao in a separate radio interview “For this fight I want to show everyone that I am still the same Manny Pacquiao who still has that hunger in winning each and every fight.”

Pacquiao, from General Santos City, is aiming to become the first Asian to win three world titles in three different divisions. He wore belts in the flyweight and super bantamweight divisions and is now eyeing to give the Philippines another stronghold of the 130-lb division once held by Filipino legends Rene Barrientos, Rolando Navarette and Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, considered as the greatest Filipino fighter bar none.