Pacquiao, Marquez bigger than in past two meetings; both deny PED use

How they got that way has been a hot topic leading up to Saturday’s trilogy fight at the MGM Grand Garden.

Pacquiao, 32, has been accused of using steroids and performance-enhancing drugs by some, most notably Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao has sued Mayweather for defamation, and that lawsuit remains active.

Pacquiao has never flunked a drug test in his 17-year professional boxing career. The same is true for Marquez, 38, who has fought in Las Vegas since 1998.

Marquez hasn’t been accused of using steroids, but Angel Hernandez, who serves as Marquez’s strength and conditioning coach, does have a history with PEDs from his association with BALCO and his previous work supplying track athletes Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery with steroids when he was known as Angel Heredia.

BALCO founder Victor Conte recognized Hernandez while watching a recent episode of the HBO reality series "Pacquiao-Marquez 24/7" and publicly outed him. But Marquez said he has had no problems with Hernandez.

"I want to make it clear, I have done a clean preparation for this fight, just like I have done for 18 years," Marquez said Wednesday at the MGM before the event’s final news conference. "I will be glad to take any examination."

According to Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer, neither fighter was subjected to random out-of-competition drug testing for this fight, though both will be tested Saturday before and after the fight.

"I have trained differently for this fight," Marquez said. "I have trained three times a day, three days a week and changed my physical training. That will be the difference this time."

Marquez (53-5-1, 39 knockouts) has done more weight training while working with Hernandez.

"I lifted weights to build my body for this occasion," Marquez said. "But we’ll still have our speed."

Marquez looked slow and sluggish when he lost to Mayweather at 142 pounds in 2009. But Marquez said he never got a chance to show he still had his quickness because Mayweather refused to stand and fight him.

"(Mayweather) didn’t come to fight, and I couldn’t show my skills," Marquez said of the 12-round unanimous decision loss at the Grand Garden. "I couldn’t get to him."

One positive aspect of Marquez’s training with Hernandez is that Hernandez has gotten the fighter off his prefight routine of drinking his own urine.

"I don’t miss doing that anymore," Marquez said with a laugh.

Pacquiao has proven he can fight at higher weight classes and not compromise his quickness and speed. With Saturday’s fight at a contracted catch weight of 144 pounds, Pacquiao said he feels great and sharp. He weighed 148 pounds Monday and should have no trouble making 144 at Friday’s 3 p.m. weigh-in at the Grand Garden.

"I think boxing comes easier for me now," Pacquiao said. "I’ve seen that I can be bigger and stronger and still have my quickness."

Pacquiao is not so sure that what Marquez has done to himself will work Saturday.

"The problem is, as you get bigger, you’re slower," Pacquiao said. "It’s not easy to put weight on and maintain your speed."

Their first meeting in 2004 was fought at 126 pounds. Their 2008 rematch was contested at 130. Now, Pacquiao and Marquez will meet at 144. But Pacquiao said it’s the experience, not the change in weight, that makes Saturday’s fight different from their first two meetings.

"I’m more experienced now," said Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs). "I developed my right hand since we last met, and I’ve learned to be a good counter-puncher. I don’t think the last two fights have much to do with this fight."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.