Marquez training very hard

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from having a couple of unbeaten sparring partners at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez also takes a 45-minute drive to the mountains of Toluca thrice a week to build on his endurance.

Reports from his training camp reveal that the 38-year-old Marquez is training like hell under the tutelage of Hall of Fame strategist Nacho Beristain some five weeks before his Nov. 12 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

“(Marquez is) training very hard,” said noted PR man Ricardo Jimenez of Top Rank from Los Angeles yesterday afternoon.

A few days ago, Marquez sparred a total of four rounds with southpaw welterweight Ramses Agaton (6-0 with 5 knockouts) and lightweight Jose Emilio Perea (21-0 with 13 knockouts).

Marquez said he wants no less than a knockout victory come fight night to prove he is the better man.

Training in Mexico City is already something else considering that the capital is already 7,400 feet above sea level.

Although Toluca city proper is nestled at 8,700 feet above sea level, the Nevado de Toluca – a dormant volcano — where Marquez does his roadwork is much, much higher at over 15,000 feet above.

It is believed that this volcano has hidden mystical powers and those who make offerings are amply rewarded by the gods who dwell in the stratospheric mountain.

Source: mb.com.ph