Philippines, 15 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


IT?S ALL ABOUT SPEED


PhilBoxing.com




Speed, not much of power and size, is what the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez Act III is all about, according to the Filipino icon?s chief trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

?Yes, for the first time in three years, Manny is facing a fighter of his size, his built and as fast as he is. Meaning we have to build him up with emphasis on how he can be quicker with his movement without losing the power which has always been one of Manny?s biggest assets,? Roach told Malaya Business Insight in an interview before he and Team Pacquiao left for Los Angeles last week.

?It?s a given that Marquez is a very clever, smart fighter, one of the best counterpuncher in the business today. He?s fast, too, but because he?s adding weights, he might not be as fast as he used to be when Manny faces him on November 12,? the 51-year-old analyzed.

?And remember, he?s got older too at 38 as against Manny?s 32, reason why we have to change our game plan, ? he bared. ? While at the start we plan to finish him (Marquez) early, now it?s different. We?ll tire him out first then finish him.?
?Manny has been fighting bigger and heavier opponents since winning by a split decision over Marquez in 2008 so that in his last fights, we concentrated on making him grow bigger and heavier,? he explained.

?Now we have to revert him back to being a lightweight, which is Marquez?s natural weight. Or junior-welterweight,? Roach he said, adding he expects the Mexican legend called ?Dinamita? to weigh 138 top 140 pounds at weight-in and 144 at fight night.
Roach said Pacquiao, who is defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in that Marquez fight in Las Vegas, on the other hand, weights between 147-148 when the team landed in L.A. and started training at the Wild Card Gym Monday.

The eight-division champ used to tip the scale at 142 pounds on weight-in day and 148 on fight night in his previous fights as a 147-pound campaigner

Ariza echoed Roach?s observation, saying his job of making the best pound-for-pound fighter in shape comes the day of reckoning had been made easier with the groundwork set in the team?s three-week stay in Baguio City.

?Baguio was a great start that set the foundation of what we have to do here in L.A.,? Ariza told this writer in an overseas telephone interview yesterday. ?Coupled with the circumstances attending the fight, like, both Manny and Marquez are of the same size make the job a little easier.?

?This fight is about quickness. Whoever comes up with the fastest feet, hands will be enjoying a big advantage, ? Ariza projected. ?

Ariza said Pacquiao?s first two days at Wild Card was dedicated to shedding off the jet lag brought about by the almost 13-hour trip from Manila last Saturday.

?He sparred for eight rounds Monday as scheduled before we left Manila, four with (Jorge) Linares and an additional four with Ray Beltran,? he said. ?He did the mitts today (Tuesday in the U.S.), the double-end ball and the speed ball, before making light conditioning exercises.?

?Sparring resumes Thursday and Saturday again against Beltran and another fighter brought in by cutman Miguel Diaz. Then we go into the nitty-gritty of why we?re here, plunge into the more serious parts of the preparedness program until we proceed to Las Vegas a week before the fight,? he said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Chavez brothers to return on April 25
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.