Sunday, March 16, 2008 Aldeguer, Villamor see Pacquiao late KO
NOTED boxing icons Michael Aldeguer and Edito Villamor of the famed Antonio L. Aldeguer boxing stable sees a late-round knockout for Manny Pacquiao in today’s rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Aldeguer thinks the 29- year-old is at the peak of his illustrious career and that this is a different Pacquiao who shared a draw with Marquez in 2004. He predicted that Pacquiao will knockout Marquez in the later rounds of their bout.
“Pacquiao is different from before. He is a much more complete fighter. He will knockout Marquez in the later rounds, around six or seven,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
Aldeguer also believes the 34-year-old Mexican is a force to be reckoned with and he is one of the elite fighters in the boxing industry.
“Marquez is a very dangerous opponent that’s why Morales never fought him. He is one of the best in the world” said Aldeguer.
For Villamor, who analyzed the previous three fights of both boxers and thinks Pacquiao had the better performance. Style-wise the noted trainer of Rey Bautista and Z Gorres, thinks Marquez has the edge but in terms of power and speed, he goes for Pacquiao.
“Basing on their past three fights Pacquiao was doing better than Marquez. Marquez has the style but power and speed definitely belongs to Pacquiao,” said Villamor.
Villamor believes that Marquez is a counter-puncher and will be bound to be caught by Pacman’s lightning speed and thunder-like punches but the outcome will all depend on the conditioning of either boxer mentally and physically.
“Pacquiao will catch Marquez eventually. He will knockout Marquez in the later rounds of their fight. But it will depend on their mental and physical conditioning,” said Villamor.
Meanwhile both boxers made weight. Marquez was one pound heavier than the Filipino ring idol at 130, while Pacquiao weighed in at 129.
Other than the fighters, other boxers in the card are Steve Luevano (34-1, 15 KO’s) who will be defending his World Boxing Organization featherweight belt against Terdsak Jandaeng (29-2, 19 KO’s); David Diaz (33-1-1, 17 KO’s) will trade leathers with Pacquiao sparring partner Ramon Montano (15-4-2, 1 KO) and Filipino Diosdado Gabi (30-3-1, 21 KO’s) will face undefeated Abner Mares (15-0, 9 KO’s). (EKA)
