Marquez fails to impress Pacquiao

November 05, 2007 03:08:00

Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- It was an impressive title defense for World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez Sunday but it made no impression at all to the man he wanted to impress most.

Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao told Ronnie Nathanielsz of Philboxing.com in a telephone interview that Marquez was “slow and had no real power” minutes after the Mexican retained his crown with a unanimous decision win over Rocky Juarez in Tucson, Arizona.

Marquez, defending his title for the first time after dethroning fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera early in the year, counter-punched his way en route to a 118-110, 117-111, 120-108 victory.

“Kayang kaya ko (I can take him easily),” Pacquiao stressed as he exuded confidence of a victory in a possible rematch with Marquez.

Pacquiao, who was interviewed by Nathanielsz from his house in General Santos City where he watched the fight, also noted that Marquez failed to finish off the smaller Juarez inside the distance despite connecting with solid shots in the latter rounds.

As expected, Marquez wasted no time in challenging Pacquiao, who only last month outclassed Barrera in their rematch.

“I had great preparation for this fight,” Marquez told the media after the fight. “I have worked very hard for four months, and now I want Manny Pacquiao, but he doesn’t want to fight me.”

The WBC had earlier ruled that Marquez should next face Pacquiao in a mandatory showdown should he get past Juarez.

Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a draw in their first fight in 2004 after the Mexican survived three knockdowns in the first round.

The Filipino ring icon said he expects to fight again early next year with his handlers now looking at several prospects.

Pacquiao, who many consider as the world’s best fighter, has been called out left and right by different fighters lately, ranging from featherweights, super featherweights and even the lightweights.

Even former Olympic gold medalist and world champion Joel Casamayor has called out Pacquiao, while some camps have expressed interest in a possible Oscar De La Hoya-Pacquiao showdown.