Manny Pacquiao has already beaten two Mexican fighters. Juan Manuel Marquez promises he won't be the third.
Pacquiao and Marquez stepped nose-to-nose on Tuesday in officially announcing their rematch for March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas -- nearly four years after their first fight ended in a 12-round draw.
Since then, Marquez won the WBC super featherweight crown, which will be contested in March, and Pacquiao earned the nickname "The Mexican Killer" after knocking out Erik Morales twice and beating Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao fielded perhaps the most intriguing question of Tuesday's press conference, when a reporter asked: "If you beat Marquez, would you ever dare vacation in Mexico?"
Pacquiao grinned at the question, then said: "Maybe, but with more bodyguards."
Marquez wasn't amused, saying Pacquiao is not "The Mexican Killer."
"He didn't beat me the first time," Marquez said.
Pacquiao knocked Marquez down three times in the first round when they fought in May 2004.
Marquez survived and the bout wound up as one of the best of that year.
"Here we go again," Pacquiao said. "It is not about the belt, it's about the honor of my country."
Pacquiao has veritable rock-star status in his native Philippines, where he ran, and lost, in a bid for Congress and where he also makes movies.
He has left his homeland to train for the Marquez fight at Hollywood's Wild Card Gym, owned by his famed trainer, Freddie Roach.
"This rivalry between a Mexican and Filipino is good for boxing," Roach said. "This is going to be a huge fight."
Marquez said that he feels the same nationalistic pressure from his countrymen, who have dubbed him "The Last Mexican Standing."
"There is so much pride," Marquez said. "There is so much feeling in me. I want so badly to beat Manny."
Since their last fight, Marquez has fought seven times with one loss -- a 12-round decision to Indonesia's Chris John. He won the super featherweight title from Barrera a year ago.
Pacquiao has had eight bouts since facing Marquez and also has one loss -- a 12-round decision to Morales.
Pacquiao knocked Morales out in two subsequent rematches.
If Pacquiao beats Marquez, he would capture his third world championship in three weight classes, previously holding the flyweight and junior featherweight titles.
If he Marquez wins, he would capture something even bigger -- a legacy.
"Maybe before I was put in the shadows," he said. "But I will demonstrate that I fight with heart and soul."
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