Saturday, November 25, 2006 Another Filipino fighter climbs the ring
AS THE nation celebrated the return of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao to the country Friday from another triumphant campaign abroad, another fighter from the Philippines is climbing the ring on November 25 to challenge World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
Jimrex Jaca, who hails from Negros Oriental, will square off with the highly talented Marquez in a 12-round championship bout at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
Marquez is the same fighter whom Pacquiao decked three times in the first round in a featherweight clash in 2004 that ended in a draw.
Jaca and Marquez were originally scheduled to slug it out last October 21, but the fight was moved after the Filipino encountered problems in his visa application.
The southpaw Jaca, who is called the "Executioner," has a fight record of 27-2-1 with 12 KOs. Marquez, who previously held the WBA and IBF featherweight titles, will enter the ring carrying a record of 45-3-1 with 34 KOs.
The Mexican boxer is heavily favored against the Filipino challenger in this fight, although Jaca had vowed to snatch the crown from the champion and bring it when he comes home to the Philippines.
Jaca reportedly weighed 26.5 pounds two days before the fight, or just half a pound over the limit of 126.
Marquez had studied Jaca on tape and believes the Filipino will be counter-punching come fight night.
Pacquiao planed in Friday morning from Los Angeles and was accorded a hero's welcome as soon as he set foot in the country.
The punching machine from General Santos City is fresh from a sensational third-round knockout victory over Erik Morales of Mexico last Nov. 18 in Las Vegas. (CRAM)
