MARQUEZ ARRIVES IN MANILA TODAY; MEETS PRESS WITH PACQUIAO ON SATURDAY

Three years after leaving the country disappointed for failure to get a third crack at local idol Manny Pacquiao, Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez returns to Manila today to attend the opening leg of a 25,000-mile four-city press tour promoting the final chapter of a historic trilogy between them.

The 38-year-old Marquez, a hero in his native land, sets foot anew at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport early this morning on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles for a four-day visit that will see him face-to-face anew with the now eight-division world champion, who in 2008 ignored his challenge for a grudge meeting of their previous two encounters four years apart in 2004 and that same year.

Also flying in in the same PAL flight are international Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and his retinue of Top Rank top brass and members of Marquez party that includes his manager Nacho Beristain and promoter Fernando Beltran. Top Rank publicist Fred Sternburg and Ricardo Jimenez, cornerman Raul de Anda, Dr. Plutarco Gatica and Carlos Torres.

This is the first time that a press tour involving Pacquiao will include a stop in Manila. Arum described the world-wide tour as “global and “historic.”

Highlight of Marquez’s busy stay in the country is press-public preview of his and Pacquiao’s third encounter on Saturday at the historic Quirino Grandstand at the Luneta. The duo face-off on November 12 (Nov. 13 in Manila) in Las Vegas where the Pacman is putting his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt on the line. From the airport, the new arrivals will proceed directly to the landmark Manila Hotel, their home during their stay here.

Tek Ramos Major of Solar Sports, which is handling the press tour, Marquez, the world lightweight titleholder, will have a very busy stay here. His tentative schedule includes several meetings, a call on the Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines and not a few media forum appearances, including a possible guesting at the SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session Friday at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.

More than 100,000 people, including members of the international media, are expected to witness Saturday’s extravaganza complete with music starring Pacquiao himself, who when not fighting atop the ring sings on the stage.

The Pacman has hit a single of Hill’s original “Sometimes When We Touch” that has climbed to No. 7 in the Billboard Music Chart. The song was originally sung by Hill in 1977 and after only a year rose to no. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Top 100. Pacquiao and Hill will be singing the tune in the New York leg of the tour September 7. From New York, the media conference proceeds to Los Angeles for the third stop, which, if plans materialize, will be a closed door affair.

The final stop will be In Mexico City Sept. 9 after which, Pacquiao and his team will fly back to Los Angeles to catch PAL flight back to Manila to finalize plans of the first phase of his training in Baguio.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Pacquiao's problems and distractions may give Marquez an edge

Manny Pacquiao is no stranger to distractions. He's had many training camps in his past that have been littered with various distractions. Recently Pacquiao made more news when his trainer Freddie Roach went on the record and said that the 8 division world champ is "broke" and that he needed to "keep fighting."

Pacquiao recently hired then fired VisionQwest, a company headed up by CEO Michael Lodge. The purpose of VisionQwest was to dig around and fix and find Manny's money issues. VisionQwest did exactly what they were hired for, and just a day or so before they planned on presenting their findings, they were fired. Why? That's the MILLION dollar question. Why would Pacquiao fire the very company that he brought in to help him straighten out his financial matters?

Top Rank and Michael Koncz deny that they had anything to do with that. I believe that about as much as I believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy. Pacquiao had a reason to fire VisionQwest, and I am guessing that he had outside sources to advise him to do so, and that those sources have their own agenda as to why.

If what Roach is saying is true, that Manny is broke, it will be another story of someone blowing their fortune and making stupid decisions that came back to haunt them. For whatever reason, Pacquiao keeps certain snakes within his camp that have no other agenda other than to get their hooks into Manny's wallet. Pacquiao continues to turn a blind eye to some shady people that do not have his better interest at heart.

With all of the mystery surrounding Manny's true financial status, and the firing of VisionQwest, he still has a fight to tend to. He has to face Juan Manuel Marquez, the guy that gave him by the far his toughest challenges thus far. Marquez will come to fight, and if Pacquiao isn't completely focused it could end up a very interesting fight.

Check out what Emannuel Steward said about Pacquiao Vs. Marquez HERE

Pacquiao didn't look as good as he has in the past when he fought Shane Mosley. Sure, he beat Mosley soundly but he still didn't look quite as crisp and sharp as he has in the past. Is that the 1st signs of Father Time creeping in?

With the mess on his hands IE VisionQwest and possibly financial issues, he opens himself up to a Marquez upset. JMM is a focused guy with no distractions. He's a guy that is a smart fighter, and one that can and will capitalize on mistakes.

Pacquiao better get focused and he better not take JMM lightly. He also needs to get his house in order and rid those folks that lurk in pockets.

Source: Examiner.com

Marquez Follows Pacquiao to the Heart of the Philippines

It’s no secret how badly Juan Manuel Marquez was pining for a matchup with Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao ever since they last met inside the squared circle nearly 3 years ago. When Pacquiao escaped with a narrow split decision victory in their 2nd fight, team Marquez were instigators of an immediate rematch and despite the fight being razor thin close, were never able to get Pacquiao to agree. Pacquiao would then move on to greater things after that fight, regardless of the manner they were able to secure a victory against their Mexican adversary.

At the time, and no matter what anybody else says, and I hate to say this but it’s somewhat true, Pacquiao may have unintentionally ‘ducked’ a rubbermatch with Juan Manuel Marquez. Now I don’t believe it had much to do with Pacquiao himself as much as it had to do with his promoter Bob Arum who at that particular moment in the Pacman’s young career did everything humanly possible to protect his cash cow. Turned out to be a great move on their part business-wise both for Top Rank and for Pacquiao’s career as we probably wouldn’t be where we are at now had the two met for a third stanza immediately after their second.

Marquez had a reason he wanted a third fight, his claim that the decision went to the wrong man in their rematch was an extremely strong argument. In fact, Marquez believed so much that he could finally beat Pacquiao should they ever meet again that he literally followed Pacquiao to the Philippines and with all intents and purposes demanded Pacquiao for a rematch.

He basically came onto Philippine soil, with all its world-famous hospitality, into hostile territory to personally ask Pacquiao to consider another fight. Pacquiao had none of it. He dismissed the idea of a third fight and claimed that he had proven what he needed to prove against Marquez and that their business was done and finished with. Marquez obviously didn’t share his sentiments and local media outlets here in the Philippines had a field day. Marquez would even go so far as guesting on popular local Philippine television afternoon talk shows. To this day it’s something that I just can’t quite get a grasp on, Marquez was basically on his knees begging for a rematch but was never granted one.

Fast forward to present day, we find ourselves in a familiar place yet in a different situation. Marquez is 3 years older though in Boxing-years it could be closer to 6, and Pacquiao is 3 years wiser. On Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at the Quirino Grandstand the first leg of the Pacquiao-Marquez 3 World Tour will kick off deep in the heart of the Philippines. Juan Manuel Marquez makes his return to the land of the far east, and this time people actually know who he is. An estimated 50,000-60,000 spectators are expected to attend the festivities which feature cultural activities surrounding a hyped up meeting between the two.

After three long years of waiting Marquez finally gets his wish. Now it’s time for him to prove that all those wars he’s been in since then with Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis and Joel Casamayor has given him what he needs to beat Pacquiao once and for all. No more gossip show appearances, no more dramas. And though it’s dressed in elaborate representations of what will take place on November 12th, Marquez knows in the back of his mind that it’s time to dance with the Pacquiao once again, a dance he’s rehearsed so many times in his head for the past few years.

For Marquez it’s all very simple. It’s time to put up, or shut up. The Pacman awaits.

The Pacquiao-Marquez 3 World Tour Philippine Leg is brought to you by Solar Sports and is free and open to the general public. See you all at Quirino Grandstand.

Source: fightcardboxing.net

***** MANNY PACQUIAO LET THE TRAINING BEGIN *****

On September 19th, 2011 Alex Ariza and Freddie Roach will be heading to the Los Angeles Airport. They will be starting the routine that has become all too familiar.

On September 19th they will take a one way flight, via Philippine Airlines in route to Manila. Upon touch down they will board and nest at a five star hotel in the mecca of the Philippines. Contact will be brief with the Pacman, as this trip, this regime has been done before and everyone is now comfortable with the process.

Comfortable that is until they have to take that long drive up the winding twisting roads that seem to go on for ever. Their destination; Baguio.

A few days after their arrival into Manila Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza will be boarding a small caravan that takes them up the windy hills for a seven hour drive to Baguio.

Baguio has an altitude of 1,500 meters (5100ft) in the Luzon tropical pine forrest. Baguio a city once known for being the center of education in the entire Northern Luzon is now known around the world as the training center for the pound for pound best fighter in the world Manny Pacquiao.

These days and the training ahead are now within minds reach.

In 24 days this scenario will be taking place.

The gloves will be put on, the laces laced up, the head gear strapped on.

The battles before the war will begin.

Stay tuned as MP8.ph will be bringing you the only exclusive up to the minute training and behind the scenes footage for the “Road To Marquez.”

This training series will be like no other. We start the count down today.

Click this Video as a reminder of what is to come.

Source: mp8.ph

PACQUIAO vs. MARQUEZ INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TOUR

Sometimes When We Tour…

MANNY PACQUIAO and JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
EMBARK ON 25,000-MILE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TOUR
FOR THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT IN LAS VEGAS

Manila*, New York*, Beverly Hills and México City*
(*Open to the Public)


LAS VEGAS, NEV (August 26, 2011) – Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ will embark on a 25,000-mile four-city international media tour, beginning in Manila, Next Friday! September 2 (Saturday, September 3 in Manila), to announce and celebrate Pacquiao-Marquez III -- Act Three of their exciting world championship trilogy. Pacquiao and Marquez, who have won world titles in 11 weight divisions between them, will go toe-to-toe for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship on Saturday, November 12, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Joining Pacquiao and Marquez on the tour will be their respective trainers, Freddie Roach and Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Marquez Boxing, Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao-Marquez III will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.

The two top pound for pound fighters and world champions will begin the media tour in Manila with a public press conference at the Quirino Grandstand where a crowd of 100,000 fans and dignitaries is expected. Named after former Philippine President Elpidio Quirino, this is where Presidents of the Philippines traditionally take their oath of office and deliver their first address to the nation.

If it’s Tuesday (September 6), it must be New York! The Big Apple will serve as the launch site for the North American portion of the Pacquiao-Marquez III media tour. Chelsea Piers at Pier 60 will be the scene where Pacquiao and musical collaborator DAN HILL will begin the public press conference singing their Top-10 hit single “Sometimes When We Touch.”

The Pacquiao-Marquez III media tour will then wing its way to the West Coast for a news conference in Los Angeles, at The Beverly Hills Hotel, on Wednesday, September 7. This will be the only tour stop news conference closed to the public.

The media tour will conclude on Thursday, September 8, in México City, where Marquez and an estimated 50,000 fans will host an afternoon final press conference at Monumento a la Revolución, a landmark and monument commemorating the Méxican Revolution. It is located in Republic Square in downtown México City.

PACQUIAO vs. MARQUEZ INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TOUR

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 (September 3 in Manila) – Open to the Public
Quirino Grandstand
Manila, Philippines
2:30 p.m. – News Conference

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 – Open to the Public!
Chelsea Piers at Pier 60 – Barnegat/Montauk/Nave Rooms
23rd Street and the Hudson River

New York, NY 10011
10:00 a.m. ET – News Conference

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
The Beverly Hills Hotel – Crystal Ballroom
9641 Sunset Boulevard
Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210
Noon PT - News Conference

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 – Open to the Public!
Monumento a la Revolución
México City, México
1:00 p.m. – News Conference

Source: Pacquiao FB Fan Page

Pacquiao Vs Marquez is great but still no contract and no network?

Manny Pacquiao to my knowledge still has not signed a contract to fight Juan Manuel Marquez. Additionally, there is still no network signed to broadcast the fight. Will it be HBO? Will it be Showtime? Why hasn't Manny signed the contract to fight yet? All questions that make you say, hmmmmmmmm.

Koncz was fired. Then he was hired. Koncz was sort of fired, but not really. Koncz was "clipped" of his power. Koncz is this, Koncz is that, blah blah blah. VisionQwest was brought in to find out where Manny's money went to. Why? What tipped Manny off to make such dynamic changes? If everything is wonderful in the land of Pacquiao, why bring in a company like VisionQwest to rip into years of financial records?

Why has Manny brought in Castillo? Why has he hired Domingo? Everything is fine though, right? Wrong. As I write this, to my knowledge Manny has not signed a contract to fight Juan Manuel Marquez. There is still no network locked in to broadcast the fight. It doesn't seem like things are as nicey nice as some folks are trying to make it out to be on the surface.

So if Manny still has not signed a contract and the ticket sales for this fight are already on sale, doesn't that seem a bit strange?

Has VisionQwest advised Manny Pacquiao not to sign the contract? Why else would the contract not be signed, this being after the tickets are already on sale? So as this article is being written, we have no contract signed, and no network signed to broadcast, and all of this with the tickets already on sale. Strange? I think just a little bit, no?

Mississippians who follow Manny Pacquiao are asking questions as well. I spoke with a few Pacquiao fans yesterday at a local sports bar/restaurant in Jackson, MS. I spoke with Darnell James, who has followed Pacquiao for many years. I asked James for his thoughts on the VisionQwest story, "Man something is up. Why bring in a team to look at financial records if there ain't something wrong?" The same point was brought up when I spoke to Jacob Marshall of Canton, MS, "Pacquiao had a reason to bring in new blood. Now we will just wait and see where the chips all fall."

There are many questions that have yet to be answered. Jacob is right, we just need to wait and see where the chips all fall.

Source: Examiner.com