"Barrera doesn't have what it takes to beat Manny Pacquiao!"
GL: Can you give us some thoughts on your September 15 bout with Jorge Barrios? "I'm very happy to have the fight. It's a very special day for us as Mexicans. It's Indepedence Day and it's going to be a great day for all Mexican boxing fans. Obviously fighting someone like Jorge Barrios is not going to be easy, but I'm going to prepare myself the best I can to give the best of me that day."
GL: What do you think about Barrios as a fighter?
Juan Manuel Marquez: "He's a great fighter. He always comes forward and he's a little bit wild. I know he's going to try and do everything to beat me that night, but I'm going to be well prepared. I'm telling you, he's a great fighter and he's going to put up a great, great fight."
GL: I'm sure you not looking past Barrios in any way, but I'm also sure you know that Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank have resolved their differences. Are you hoping that a rematch with Manny Pacqauio takes place in the near future, especially since Barrera is fighting Pacquiao next?
JMM: "You're right, I don't like to think too much about the future because obviously my future is on September 15. But yes, as you mentioned I am aware that Top Rank and Golden Boy have settled. That's good and I'm happy because now two grear promoters can do business with each other and everybody is going to be happy from the fighters to the fans. Now you're going to see better fights and obviously I'm happy because I'm going to get another fight with Manny Pacquiao."
GL: Do you think the fight with Barrios belongs on PPV or would you have preferred it to take place on HBO World Championship Boxing?
JMM: "It's a good fight that deserves to be on PPV. Obviously I want as many people to watch it as possible and if it was on free TV that would be perfect, but I think it's a big date and a big fight and the fans who follow my career will buy it and they will enjoy a great fight between two warriors. Jorge Barrios is a great fighter, I'm a great fighter and September 15 is going to be a great night for the fans."
GL: Does a fight with Joan Guzman interest you?
JMM: "There are plans, but I will say that as of right now I'm focused on September 15. If all goes well, I will then focus on fighting Manny Pacquiao, or the winner of the fight with Pacquiao and Barrera, which will be Manny Pacquiao. I can say that Pacquiao is going to win. There's some other fighters out there who I would fight and I'm not saying Guzman isn't in my plans, but right now Barrios and Pacquiao are the two guys I'm focused on."
GL: So you definitely don't think Barrera has what it takes to turn the tables on Manny Pacquiao?
JMM: "I fought Pacquiao and I fought Barrera. I won against Barrera and I had a draw against Pacquiao. I know Pacquiao hits harder than Barrera and I know Barrera doesn't have what it takes to win over Pacquiao. Pacquiao is faster and stronger. I go for Barrera because he's Mexican but I know that Pacquiao is going to win."
GL: Do you feel that you figured Pacquiao out two rounds two late and that's why it was a draw?
JMM: "It was the first round and maybe one or two others he may have won. I did everything possible that night to get that victory, but I got a draw and now the fans deserve the rematch."
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?
JMM: "As always, I appreciate my fans for supporting me. On September 15 you're going to see a great fight and I'm going to make sure all Mexican Boxing fans have a great Independence Day."
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