Manny in high spirits

Manny Pacquiao is working extra hard to get ready for his much-anticipated war against International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico on May 8 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s manager Rod Nazario told The Star yesterday the fighter is in good spirits and in good shape.

"Kausap ko si Manny the other day," said Nazario who leaves Manila tomorrow to join Pacquiao in Los Angeles. "No problem ang kanyang weight. He’s about four to five pounds over the limit. Nagbibiro siya sa phone. Sa tingin ko, relax siya sa labang ito. He’s sure na kaya niyang patulugin si Marquez."

Nazario said unlike in the run-up to the Marco Antonio Barrera fight last November, Pacquiao is oozing with confidence. Pacquiao was often pensive and nervous in training for Barrera whom he stopped in the 11th round to gain consensus recognition as undisputed world featherweight titlist. But in training for Marquez, Pacquiao isn’t as stressed.

Pacquiao has been installed a 7-5 favorite to beat Marquez by Las Vegas oddsmakers. He predicted a third round knockout win over the Mexican.

At Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, Pacquiao has battered a platoon of sparmates. He broke Karen Harutyunan’s rib, floored Art Simonyan, traded bombs with junior welterweight Arman Sargsian, matched shifty bantamweight Jorge Diaz’ speed and stood his ground against burly Eder Rivas.

Roach is paying a bonus for fighters to get in the ring with Pacquiao who’s unforgiving in sparring sessions. The sparmates include power punchers and dancing stylists. Roach is leaving no stone unturned in preparing Pacquiao for whatever eventuality. Marquez is a boxer-puncher and will no doubt try to confuse Pacquiao by switching tactics.

Nazario said Lito Mondejar and Buboy Fernandez, who are in Los Angeles with Pacquiao, report regularly on the fighter’s progress in training. "Right on schedule daw si Manny sa kanyang training," said Nazario. "Seven days a week siya nag-iinsayo. Malapit kasi ang hotel niya sa gym. Tumatakbo siya sa mga bundok doon. I think he’ll be in better shape against Marquez than Barrera."

Nazario said he’s not worried about Marquez supposedly being the hungrier fighter. "Palagi kong pinaaalala kay Manny na dapat niyang patulugin si Marquez kasi siya ang only stumbling block for his next fight, na higit sa doble ang kanyang premyo against (Erik) Morales. "Yan ang kanyang motivation at encouragement ko."

Nazario confirmed he has negotiated a five-fight, two-year deal for Pacquiao with the giant HBO (Home Box Office) cable network. It’s a multi-million dollar contract that will set up Pacquiao for life.

Once Pacquiao disposes of Marquez, he‘ll battle Morales for the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight crown in July or August. The bout will likely be on pay-per-view.

On the WBC delisting Pacquiao from its featherweight ratings, Nazario said he expected it because the fight against Marquez is for the IBF and WBA titles. Pacquiao was previously ranked No. 3 by the WBC.

Nazario dismissed the idea of pitting Pacquiao against newly-crowned WBC featherweight champion In Jin Chi. "It will be difficult to promote the fight outside the US, considering Manny’s asking price," explained Nazario. "And no US promoter will risk bankrolling the fight because two Asians are involved." The way out is for HBO to promote the fight in Manila as a sequel to the 1975 "Thrilla."

Nazario said he will confer with Pacquiao’s promoter Murad Muhammad in Los Angeles as soon as he arrives this week on the possibility of bringing more Filipino fighters to see action in the US. Muhammad has expressed interest in promoting other Filipino fighters. Nazario mentioned Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby, Oriental minimumweight champion Rodel Mayol, superflyweight prospect Z Gorres and rising flyweight star Rey Bautista as candidates.