Marquez pumped up for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines — Juan Manuel Marquez doesn't see his fight with Colombian Likar Ramos this Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Cancun, Mexico, as a stumbling block to his Nov. 12 rubber match with Manny Pacquiao.

In fact, the Mexican counter-puncher believes his 10-round tuneup bout with Ramos is a stepping stone to his much-awaited third meeting with the Filipino pound-for-pound king.

Speaking to Mexican fight scribe Gabriel Cordero of fightnews after working out for the last time at the famed Romanza Gym in Mexico City, Marquez said he is “ready for this fight” and is looking forward to the faceoff with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in November.

“All I have to say is I will win this fight and begin training for my next fight with Pacquiao,” said the 37-year-old Marquez, who will have the revered Nacho Beristain in his corner and a support crew composed of Raul de Anda and Jose Luis Zaragoza.

Marquez was forced to take a tuneup fight before the Pacquiao showdown to get rid of ring rust since his last fight was held in November last year.

Pacquiao, in contrast, has been quite busy, having fought Antonio Margarito late last year and Shane Mosley only last May for a combined total of 24 rounds. Before meeting Margarito, Pacquiao went 12 rounds with Joshua Clottey in March.

Nick Giongco, Manila Bulletin