MANILA, Philippines – World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao left the Philippines Saturday night, October 27 for Los Angeles to train for his fourth fight against Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez.

The megafight is scheduled for December 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao has been training in his hometown of General Santos with assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, a change from his past high-altitude training camps usually in Baguio City.

The Filipino slugger had earlier said he would train for the whole fight in Los Angeles with trainer Freddie Roach to avoid distractions.

During the fight’s promotional tour, Pacquiao said he was making major changes to his preparations.

Instead of starting training camp in the Philippines then flying to LA for final weeks, Pacquiao plans to do all his sparring at the Wild Card Gym of head trainer Freddie Roach.

“No days will be wasted traveling between training camps in the Philippines and California,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao later decided to stay in the Philippines. His trip to LA has also been delayed a few times, with Pacquiao opting to leave later.

Pacquiao is expected to start sparring on Monday, October 29, when he arrives at the LA training facility.

Intense rivalry

The December contest at the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena will be the fourth fight in the intense rivalry between the two boxing champions.

Pacquiao says this time he won’t make the mistake of underestimating Marquez when they square off in the non-title fight. (Read Opinion: Pacquiao-Marquez IV frustrating, but fan-friendly)

“I underestimated him in our last fight,” said Pacquiao. “I will make the most of every training day to prepare for Juan Manuel.”

Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) defeated Marquez in a majority decision in November — a third gut-wrenching result for Marquez against his Filipino foe. (Read: Three reasons why Pacquiao won the fight)

In the build-up to that fight, Marquez had taunted Pacquiao with claims that he was the true winner of their first two clashes — a 2004 draw and a 2008 rematch.

“I am very excited to be fighting Manny again,” Marquez said on tour. “I beat him the first three fights but did not get the decision; this time I will beat him again and I also will get the victory officially.” – with reports from Agence France-Presse