Marquez says that he has Pacquiao's number

WBO and WBA lightweight titleholder Juan Manuel Marquez has finally secured his third shot at Manny Pacquiao, who will defend his WBO welterweight belt against Marquez in an HBO Pay Per View televised clash on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The 38-year-old Marquez (53-5-1, 39 knockouts) has twice faced the 32-year-old Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), battling to a draw and a disputed split-decision loss, respectively, in May of 2004 and March of 2008.

Pacquiao floored Marquez three times during the first round of their initial meeting as featherweights, and dropped him once more in their second when they met as junior lightweights.

As part of a press conference on Tuesday at the Lighthouse in New York's Chelsea Piers, Marquez and Pacquiao took part in the second stage of a four-city jaunt that is promoting their bout.

The tour began on Sept. 3 in Pacquiao's Manila, Philippines, continues on Wednesday at the Crystal Ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and will end on Sept. 8 in Marquez's home of Mexico City. The tour will cover three countries and an estimated 25,000 miles.

During Tuesday's event, Marquez indicated that there is a rematch clause in the contract, and that he would have to fight Pacquiao a fourth time in the event that he is victorious in the third bout.

Marquez is fighting as a welterweight for only the second time, having lost his 147-pound debut by lopsided unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25 KOs) in Sept. 2009.

Below are some of Marquez's responses to other subjects regarding their upcoming clash, which will be contested at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
 
Juan Manuel Marquez on whether or not the weight will be an issue, since he appeared to be troubled by the move up against Mayweather:

"I think the Mayweather fight had nothing to do with the weight. It had to do with his style. He’s a defensive fighter and he doesn’t want to fight.

"I think a better fight for us would be at 140 or 141 pounds. There would be more action if we got a smaller weight."

On why he believes Pacquiao has maintained his power as he has climbed in weight:

"It’s been proven that as you go up in weight, you get stronger. You weigh more so you are stronger and you have more power."

On whether or not he has Pacquiao's number:

"You see our fights have been difficult for him. My style is a difficult one for him to figure out."

On why Pacquiao is so difficult for fighters other than him:

"Those guys are too slow. His biggest asset is his speed. He comes at you so fast that you don’t know what to do. You can’t figure it out. But I’ve figured it out. I know what to do."

On whether the increase in weight will affect his style, power and ability:

"I think I have to be the same way I was at 130 and 135 pounds. I have to add the weight, but not lose my speed. I need that speed. Every time he engages you have to be faster than him.

"I have to hit him hard enough so he knows he’s in the ring with me. I believe I hit him enough the first two times that I can get him. I just have to get him."

On Pacquiao's singing ability:

"I don’t care if that’s what he needs to do or likes to do. I liked it. If he thinks he’s a great singer that’s good. If that’s what he needs to do, then good."

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com