MANILA, Philippines – Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez said he will be in tip-top condition when he faces 8-division champion Manny Pacquiao on November 12.
Marquez said he expects a tough battle from the Filipino boxing superstar, whom he has fought twice.
"We need to get well-prepared mentally and we need to be in better physical condition than we've ever been in the past so we can beat Pacquiao," said the Mexican boxer in Boxingscene.com.
Pacquiao, hailed as the “Fighter of the Decade” by the Boxing Writers’ Association of America (BWAA), has agreed to a rubber match against his Mexican rival at the 144-pound catch weight.
“Tuloy na po ‘yun, abangan n’yo (It will push through, watch for it),” Pacquiao had said.
Marquez is seen by most boxing pundits as Pacquiao’s next best fight aside from Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The Mexican was able to salvage a controversial draw in their 2004 bout despite being knocked down thrice by the Filipino champion.
In 2008, Marquez battled Pacquiao in a thrilling rematch that saw the Filipino escape with a split decision.
Marquez admitted that Pacquiao is never an easy fight, which is why he needs to be fully prepared come fight time.
"This is a hard fight, but I know how to defeat him,” he said.
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