Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Marquez Says Preparation for Pac Man Has Been "Our Best"

Today's pre-fight conference call featuring Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO) addressed several issues surrounding the mega-fight that is set to go down on Nov. 12 versus Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO). One of those issues was Marquez's strength-and-conditioning coach, Angel "Memo" Heredia, who is an admitted steroids dealer.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was quick to point out that it's a thing of the past, and that if any athlete wanted to possess the benefits that comes along with using steroids, they could just use natural supplements while avoiding all the negative effects of an illegal substance.

Marquez remains content on knowing that he has done everything right for this training camp and is willing to do any kind of drug tests that Pacquiao might request, as long as the Filipino icon does them as well.

“We have [had] a great training camp, and we are looking forward to Nov. 12," Marquez said. "The preparation has been our best.”

It will be the third bout between the two rivals, and the first two saw a Pacquiao win and a hard-fought draw.

The two fighters first met in 2004, when Marquez found himself hitting the canvas three times in the first round. He recovered and fought back to earn a draw in one of the year's best fights that called for a second fight between the two.

The 2008 rematch saw Marquez getting dropped again in the third round, and although it was just as close as the first, Pacquiao walked away with a split-decision victory that many thought Marquez deserved to win.

“They can say what they want, and they feel they won the first two fights, but we feel the same way, and that’s how you should go into the fight," said Marquez, who comes into the bout off knockout victories over Michael Katsidis and Likar Ramos. “That’s why we are doing the third fight. We’re not the only ones saying we won the first two fights.”

For this match, Marquez agreed to fight at a catchweight of 144 pounds, which is almost 15 pounds heavier than when they last met four years ago.

Marquez hasn't moved out of the lightweight division that often, but when he did against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in 2009, he was dominated for the better part of 12 rounds.

“I’d rather fight Pacquiao three or four more times than fight Mayweather again," said Marquez, who admitted Mayweather is a difficult opponent to deal with. Still, Marquez suggested that Money doesn't always come to fight like Pacquiao does. "He [Mayweather] is only a defensive fighter. You have to take that fight for what it was.”

Knowing that Pacquiao will be right in front of him and trading shots inside the pocket, Marquez plans on being prepared to go to battle no matter what it takes to get the victory.

“If the opportunity comes—if I hurt him—I will go for the knockout," Marquez said. “I think this fight is going to be great because we both want it so bad.”