MEXICO. Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Márquez didn't leave much of the spotlight for Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao when their press tour visited Mexico today to promote their fourth fight next December 08 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The boxers faced each other menacingly showing their fists during the last promotional stop of their upcoming fight during a tour that took them to US cities like Los Angeles and New York.
"I am happy to fight him for a fourth time, I have to admit how tough he is as a boxer, he is a great warrior and I'm really happy to come to Mexico City," said Pacquiao in front of over 8,000 fans.
Boxing aficionados arrived hours before to the Mexico City Arena to see the athletes face to face; they whistled to the Filipino titleholder but praised the Mexican champion while a few dozens of Filipinos waved flags of their country.
"To the Filipinos in Mexico: thank you so much for being here. It wasn't my intention to fight against another Mexican boxer, but this is the way things are," said Pacquiao who could appreciate at every moment the love the Mexican people have for Márquez.
The Mexican pugilist enjoyed his day stating that he will prepare extensively for his fourth match against Pacquiao saying he feels he has been the winner of the previous matches and that the victories were stolen from him.
"I will train very hard, this is a new challenge for me, I will arrive to it very well prepared, it's a tough challenge but we will celebrate on Christmas and New Year's Eve," said Márquez addressing the audience.
The presentation of the fourth edition of the Pacquiao-Márquez fight in Mexico was a great opportunity for hundreds of vendors who set up in the neighboring streets to sell from t-shirts with the faces of the fighters to coffee mugs.
Karen.balderas@sandiegored.com
