"I need to prove that I’m one of the best fighters in the world," said Pacquiao. "And by fighting the best boxers from Mexico will prove I belong to the pound-for-pound list."
The 25-year-old Filipino champion actually took the first step to world fame last year when he overpowered Marco Antonio Barrera, a Mexican legend, in 11 rounds at the Alamodome in Texas.
That stirring victory gave Pacquiao the drive to go for more and his May 8 clash with Juan Manuel Marquez, another Mexican idol who owns the WBA/IBF featherweight belts, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas promises to be nothing but another blockbuster of a fight.
He vows to stop Marquez in three.
"After I win this fight (against Marquez), I’m going after Erik Morales at junior lightweight. I want all of the great Mexican fighters," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao admitted he fought Barrera because it was the fast track to greatness. Now he intends to fight a fighter who others avoided to prove that he ducks no one.
"I’d like to thank everyone for giving me an opportunity to fight Marquez," Pacquiao said. "He is a good fighter he’s the champ. But I’m a champ, too."
Both fighters posed side by side for photographers during the press launching Wednesday at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. They smiled and shook each other’s hand but one could see both sizing each other up through the grins.
Marquez said he watched the tapes of the fight between Pacquiao and Barrera and said it seemed his Mexico City comrade was not at his best. But he credits the Filipino fighter for taking advantage. He said he expects the toughest fight of his career.
"It’s a hard fight; a tough fight. I have to prepare well," said Marquez, 30.
Marquez feels Pacquiao has the perfect style for him and admires his bravado in wanting to fight.
"But you never know what’s going to happen in a fight," said Marquez adding that some fighters change tactics in a fight. "When I fought Derrick Gainer I never expected him to do nothing."
He said he’s aware of his Pacquiao’s obvious abilities and his little-known abilities too.
"I saw how he threw elbows and head butts when he fought Agapito Sanchez," Marquez said. "We have to prepare for that too."
In spite of the claims of nationalistic pride and promises of victory for each fighter’s country, Pacquiao seeks to show Mexican fight fans knockouts.
"I want to get the support of the Mexican people who support boxing," said Pacquiao. "And for the Mexican people that support me now, they won’t be disappointed by my next fight."
Pacquiao intends to burn through every tough Mexican who stands in his way.
"I like that he (Marquez) is tough," said Pacquiao. — Dante Navarro