By Hermie Rivera
photo by John Agcaoili
 
San Francisco, CA. — “The best conditioned Manny Pacquiao will face Juan Manuel Marquez” the Filipino boxing hero crowed as he met the press on his first Bay Area visit since his torturous draw with Agapito Sanchez at the Civic Center.
 
Even with a torpid recollection of the bloody fight where the Dominican roughneck tried stealing his new title — Pacquiao wants to rumble again in his preferred city by the bay.
 
In a sharp dig at Marquez’ boast of a more rounded training, Pacquiao is emphatic his trainers are superior and have negated whatever jump the Mexican gained by his early start.
 
So then, both warriors are in shape–their best-ever conditioning brought about by their laborious workouts.
 
Expect a barn-burner when these warriors collide at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
This is an exciter made compelling by their drawn match.

Since the disputed draw, Pacquiao has matured while Marquez aged.
 
Marquez turns 35 in August adding unwanted years which places him in some sort of a bind for aging fighters. 
 
A clear-cut winner will emerge in the ‘unfinished business’  featuring today’s standouts in the junior lightweight division.
 
Manny Pacquiao who is not only strong but skillful stays as the favorite in the odds posted at various betting centers. (Illegal bookies included.)
 
First to dig a hole in the early rounds will find it tough recovering lost ground.
 
And who’ll  pocket the  marbles in the return bout?
 
It’s unlikely the Mexican can pull it out against the Pinoy lefty who’s on a six-win tear since his loss to Erik Morales.
 
Unless Marquez starts growing steroid-laden hormones Pacquiao will whip his butt once the battle smoke clears at The Mandalay.
 
Sorry Juan Manuel but it will take a lot more than a great camp to overcome the smooth rhythm of the power punchin’ Pacman.