Manila, Philippines - Even Manny Pacquiao has admitted that he has some unfinished business with Juan Manuel Marquez.
And this is the reason why the Filipino pound-for-pound champion is aching to get back in the ring with his Mexican rival.
“I can’t wait to step into the ring and train for this fight because there seems to be some unfinished business with Mr. Marquez,” he said.
Pacquiao also wrote in his column at www.philboxing.com that he has something more to prove against Marquez whom he had fought twice.
The first showdown in 2004 ended in a draw because one of the judges erred, while the second in 2008 was just as close, just as controversial.
Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in their first meeting, and once in the second, but on both fights the Mexican counter-puncher finished strong.
“Marami akong dapat tapusin at patunayan sa ikatlong laban namin (I have a lot to prove in our third fight),” said Pacquiao.
He’s on recess as congressman of Sarangani, and has spent the past few weeks vacationing with his family, scuba diving, and visiting his constituents.
Marquez is busy for his fight with Likar Ramos this Saturday, actually the kind of tuneup he needs for the clash with Pacquiao on Nov. 12.
Pacquiao said his training for the Marquez fight should start in the second week of September, right after the press tour.
Pacquiao said the first half of training will be in Baguio City, and the other half at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
For the meantime, Pacquiao is taking it easy, and the other day he was named the “Fighter of the Year” during the 2011 ESPY Awards.
Pacquiao, who’d been nominated for the award thrice in the past, beat out fellow boxing champions Bernard Hopkins and Sergio Martinez, and UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones for the award.
It was the second time Pacquiao copped the ESPY award after 2009. Floyd Mayweather was the top awardee for 2010.