WBC/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) has promised to go toe-to-toe with -pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) in the third fight of an eagerly awaited trilogy at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 12.

In a telephone conversation with ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo, the Mexican legend admitted he is “so emotional about this fight” and emphasized “it will definitely not be like the Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight where Mosley kept running. As best as I can, I am going to fight him toe-to-toe and give the people what they want.”

Marquez conceded that their third encounter is going to be harder than their first two meetings in which Marquez claimed he was robbed of victory.

In their first bout on May 8, 2004 Marquez counter-punched his way to salvage a draw after Pacquiao dropped him three times in the opening round and a mistake in scoring the opening round by judge Burt Clements who scored it a 113-113 draw cost Pacquiao the victory. Clements admitted in a post fight interview he scored the first round 10-7 when he should have scored it 10-6 like the two other judges because of the three knockdowns.

However, Pacquiao won the rematch on March 15, 2008 by a controversial split decision with a fourth round knockdown making the difference.

Marquez said “I think this is going to be the hardest fight between the two of us and that’s why I am going to prepare the hardest I ever have.”

Marquez said that he has “a medical team to work on my power and I intend to match his (Pacquiao’s) power.”

Marquez who will train in Mexico under newly inducted Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain said he is at present training for a tune-up fight against the 25 year old Colombian southpaw Likar Ramos (24-3, 18 KO’s). One of Ramos’ losses was a 7th round knockout at the hands of Jorge Solis who himself was knocked out in the 8th round by Pacquiao on April 14, 2007.. .

The Mexican legend said he is “so emotional about this fight” and that it will definitely not be like the Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight where Mosley kept running. He said “as best as I can I am going to fight him toe-to-toe and give the people what they want.”

Marquez said “I believe I have the speed and the power to match him (Pacquiao). I will train the same way with more power and speed and I need to have that at its best.”

Marquez who will turn 38 on August 23 said he would rest for about 15 days after the Ramos fight before resuming training for the November 12 battle with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Marquez concluded by stating “I am preparing for this great victory for Mexico. I am going to come in strong and I am expecting a victory. We are going to have a great fight and everybody is going to love this fight.”