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Pacquiao foe Marquez hopes to send Pinoy champ to dreamland


Thailand's Medgoen Singsurat was the last boxer to hand Manny Pacquiao a knockout defeat during the Filipino southpaw's title defense of the lineal World Boxing Council (WBC) world flyweight title on September 17, 1999. Filipino Rustico Torrecampo gave Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) his first KO loss when the reigning pound-for-pound king was still campaigning as a flyweight early in his career in 1996. Juan Manuel Marquez wants to be the third boxer to give Pacquiao a KO loss when they clash for a third time on November 12 where the Fighting Congressman from Sarangani's World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title will be at stake. Sending the eight-division world champion to dreamland is the only thing that's on the mind of the durable Mexican. "I'm going there with one goal in mind—to knock out Manny Pacquiao," said Marquez, now in the midst of his training for the 12-round bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. At 38 and definitely at the twilight of a Hall of Fame career, Marquez said he's training hell like he never did before. And his controversial losses to the "Pacman" in two previous fights have a lot to do with that. "I'm getting the best preparation of my career," said the Mexican, who owns a 53-5-1 record with 39 KOs. Marquez settled for a contentious draw in his first encounter with the Filipino in 2004, one which saw him rose from the canvas after being knocked down thrice in a blazing opening round. Then in a 2008 rematch, the Mexican again got up from a third-round knock down, but lost a highly-debatable split decision. "For me, this fight is about pride, about dignity. Everyone knows I was robbed in the previous two fights," said Marquez, who stressed his brother and former world champion Rafael was also robbed in his fight against Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-bantamweight title last week in Las Vegas. The Mexico City native Marquez already began sparring with Ramses Agathon and Jose Emilio Perea with five weeks to go before his highly-anticipated return match against the 32-year-old Pacquiao. But Marquez acknowledges his Filipino rival, the only fighter in boxing history to win world titles in eight different divisions, has improved by leap and bounds since their last meeting three years ago. He noted how Pacquiao has now evolved into a two-way fighter and not just the deadly southpaw that he was in both the 2004 and 2008 fights. "Since the second time we fought, he has improved," Marquez said. "He shows the teachings of his handler Freddie Roach with his boxing, his punches are more technical, there is more use of the right hand, and he's matured into an excellent fighter." Despite the improvement, Marquez still believes he can beat Pacquiao next month. "I have beaten Pacquiao before and I'll do it again," he said. — JVP, GMA News