Pacquiao, Marquez exude confidence in weigh-in
abs-cbnnews.com | 03/15/2008 8:39 PM
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Loud cheers came from both Mexican and Filipino fans during the official weigh-in of boxers Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez at the Mandalay bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, before their face-off on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
Carrying flags, both sides tried to outdo each other to show support to the fighters.
Filipino celebrities are also in Las Vegas to support Pacquiao, among them couple Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, father and son tandem Eddie and Raymond Gutierrez, and superstar Nora Aunor.
Politicians who are regular viewers of Pacquiao's matches are also present, among them Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson.
Onstage during the weigh-in were boxing stars Marco Antonio Barrera and Sugar Shane Mosley, and boxing promoters Bob Arum and Richar Schaeffer.
First to weigh in was Pacquiao, followed by Marquez.
Pacquiao, who showed off his toned body, came in at 129 pounds, while Marquez, the reigning WBC superfeatherweight champion, weighed in at exactly 130 pounds.
Both boxers looked strong and confident as they went side by side for the last time before the bout.
"Masaya lang ako sa sarili ko kasi prepared ako" Pacquiao said.
"Please pray for the fight tomorrow, and this fight will be the dedicated to the Filipino people... for the honor of our country and for unity," he added.
Barrera said he still couldn't pick a winner as both boxers showed peak form.
"You can see in their faces and their bodies that they have worked very hard for this fight. It is rare that you see boxers smiling during the weigh in. It proves they are confident with themselves," Barrera said.
Meanwhile, Mosley predicted a very close fight.
"I give the edge to Pacquiao for the strength, and to Marquez for the mind... to calculate shots," Mosley said. With a report from Dyan Castillejos
