Marquez ready

By Nick Giongco

Manila, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez has apparently dotted the Is and crossed the Ts as his buildup for the rubber match with Manny Pacquiao enters its final days.

“I feel strong and my speed is coming around. I am very happy with what we have accomplished here and I am ready to take on Pacquiao,” said Marquez after holding an open media workout at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City.

Marquez meets Pacquiao for the third time on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the 38-year-old counter-puncher showed his readiness after going 10 rounds in sparring with British Alex Dilmaghani and Mexicans Ramses Agaton and Mario Zaragoza.

Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain is convinced they have covered every aspect of their eight-week training.

“I think he is strong enough now,” said Beristain, kingmaker to more than 20 Mexican fighters.

Marquez had to undergo training under a team of experts to make sure he doesn’t sacrifice speed and power in gaining extra weight.

When he performed in front of the media and public, those in attendance were stunned to see his massive transformation.

Despte his rugged and awesome appearance, Marquez insists everything would boil down to strategy.

“I know that it is a very difficult fight, but I believe I have the intelligence and experience to get the victory this time around,” added Marquez, who remains bitter to this day that the decision did not go in his favor when he faced Pacquiao in May 2004 and March 2008.

Pacquiao is in his last few days of training in Mexico City as he is expected to head for Los Angeles this weekend to fulfill a promotional event at the Santa Anita racetrack.

After a few rounds of TV interviews, Marquez will proceed to Las Vegas on Sunday.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, will have his last workout at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Monday and will travel to Sin City by land later in the day.