Marquez thanks Filipino boxing fans

Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez thanked Filipino boxing fans Monday for the warm reception he received during his visit to the country to promote his upcoming fight against pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez boarded Delta Airlines flight DL172 which left at 7:30 a.m. Monday to fly to the US for the second leg of their promotional tour.

Airport employees lined up to shake hands with the Mexican boxer as he walked towards the boarding gate.

"Thank you very much for the hospitality," Marquez said before entering the Business Class Lounge of Delta Airlines.

It was learned that Marquez almost decided not to take the flight after he inadvertently left his boxing gloves and his boxing shorts in one of the convoy of vehicles that he and his group took in going from the hotel to the airport.

Marquez later decided just to have the gloves and shorts shipped to the US on the next available flight so they can be with him in time for the promotion of their bout in New York.

Marquez and Pacquiao will meet in New York City for the second leg of their promotional tour.

From there, the two will proceed to Las Vegas before flying to Mexico City for the last leg of their tour before finally hitting the gym for full-time training for their November 12 bout.

Juan Manuel Marquez will be getting the biggest purse of his fighting career — $5 million — for the scheduled bout with Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on Nov. 12, 2011.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao, the congressman from Saranggani, will receive a guaranteed $20 million for the fight.

Pacquiao said he will force his opponent “to bleed for every cent” in their coming bout.

Before this, the Mexican fighter earned around $3.2 million when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September, 2009.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/333357/marquez-thanks-filipino-boxing-fans