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The final press
conference was held moments ago for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super
featherweight championship battle between JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ vs MANNY PACQUIAO
Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino and live on HBO
Pay-Per-View. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, in association
with Romanza Boxing Productions and MP Promotions and sponsored by Tecate Beer,
Rock Star Energy Drink and Southwest Airlines, Marquez vs. Pacquiao II
Unfinished Business will be for the WBC and
vacant Ring Magazine Super Featherweight World
Championship.
The world title bout
will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las
Vegas, and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning
at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.
ODDS (as of press conference)
Manny
Pacquiao -230
Juan Manuel Marquez
+190
(*First fight at fight time,
odds were closer with Pacquiao favored at -180 and Marquez +160.)
MARK TAFFET, HBO PPV
"Great turnout we have here
today for one of the fights I have been looking forward to for a number months.
And we are lucky to have these two warriors who are willing to get back in the
ring to do it all over again.
"Pacquiao vs Marquez I was one
of the most interesting, exciting fights. It epitomized the best of the sport
of boxing and on anyone's list they are at the top of the best pound for pound
in the sport. These two guys carry a nation on their shoulders and that what
makes it even more special. In PPV in the lighter weight classes, the industry
supports these fights like they are heavyweight fights.
"We know Saturday night we are
going to have a great fight and one that will be remembered for years to come."
BOB ARUM
"Not too many words or
hyperboles for this fight. I've heard Juan Manuel is in great shape but I have
witnessed with my own eyes how Manny Pacquiao trained for this fight. If I could
get a blueprint for how he trained and get all other fighters to use it, we
would have great fights night after night. The conditioning is so important as
his stamina and ability to withstand punishment is at his highest peak. I don't
know another fighter—and we have Pavlik and Cotto who worked hard—but I have
never seen anyone prepare like Manny Pacquiao has for this fight.
"Card will start at 3:30pm
with first televised fight at 6:30pm. This is such an internet feast with HBO,
Yahoo and I think even ESPN getting behind it. All over you will see this fight
so it is a great fight."
RICHARD SCHAEFER
"Another great night of boxing
and it can't get much better than this, there is one dream match-up and this is
the one the fans wanted to see (polls taken showed us that). Support has been
tremendous and everyone has embraced this great event.
"And so did the
sponsors—Tecate Beer, stepping up to the plate and help us take these fights to
the people through support through supermarkets and the many conversions that
take place as part of this sponsorship.
"Boxing related to their
brands really works. There is a direct correlation between these brands, their
sponsorships and reaching their customers through this message.
"Golden Boy is extremely
pleased to be working with Juan Manuel and his team. He is an unbelievable
Champion and you will truly see a magnificent performance by him Saturday
night. This is a fight between two great warriors and I don't think anyone will
be disappointed."
TEAM PACQUIAO
MANNY PACQUIAO
"First like to thank God for
giving me the sign everyday. To both promoters and MP Promotions I thank you.
Thanks to my wife who is very supportive of my boxing career.
"It will be a great fight on
Saturday as I heard Marquez has trained very hard and doesn't want to let his
countrymen down. But I don't either as I need to win this fight for my people
as this is the key to the Filipino unity. Not only for myself but all the
people who love boxing I want them to be satisfied with my performance and not
disappoint them on Saturday. I will do my best to make them happy. I also pray
that both Marquez and me will be safe and all fighters will not get hurt in the
ring."
FREDDIE ROACH, TRAINER
"Manny came to camp early and
we usually have a rule that we don't play basketball and I didn't even have to
worry about it. He said he didn't want to play this time because this fight is
so important.
"We are ready and I am looking
forward to the fight and Saturday night."
TEAM MARQUEZ
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
"Thank your for being here. I
am happy to be here for this fight and everyone watching this fight is a war. I
have prepared very hard for 3 months. I don't really like to talk in the ring I
do it in the ring. This fight is for my country, my people and I will win it
with my heart."
IGNACIO BERISTAIN, TRAINER
"After recouping and
swallowing the sour decision of the Juan's brother Rafael's fight against
Vasquez, please watch and witness what will be a great fight with two warriors."
Tickets for Marquez-Pacquiao II,
priced at $600, $400, $300, $200 and $100,
are now on sale and can be purchased
at the Mandalay Bay box
office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug
Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall, and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales
are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit
card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000 or Mandalay Bay (702) 632-7580.
Tickets are also available for purchase at
www.mandalaybay.com or
.
The Marquez vs. Pacquiao II
pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, has a suggested
retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and
will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will
be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is
the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For your
Marquez vs. Pacquiao II fight week updates, log on to
www.hbo.com.
03-13-2008
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