Freddie Roach has guaranteed that there won?t be a third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera.
?A third fight? No. That?s not going to happen,? said the American boxing guru in quashing any thoughts of Barrera winning the Oct. 6 rematch and forcing a rubber match.
Roach firmly believes that Pacquiao is the better fighter, much better than he was when he knocked out Barrera in the 11th round of their 2003 showdown in Texas.
Roach said a few days ago he wants Pacquiao to start fast, and go for an early kill, but added that he won?t be disappointed if his younger boxer wins via a decision.
?We?re much better now than the first fight and I don?t think Barrera will be able to handle that. Barrera has gone the other way,? said Roach of the Mexican who?s turning 34 in January.
Roach laughed off insinuations that Pacquiao will allow Barrera to win this one, and set the stage for a bigger, more lucrative third fight, like the one he had with Erik Morales.
?People are bad when they tell me Manny is going to throw away this fight. There?s too much pride involved here. You don?t throw away a fight so there?ll be a third fight,? he said.
Roach said he?s just glad that Barrera got the rematch set at the 12,000-seat Events Center of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Two of Barrera?s five career losses came at Mandalay.
Roach said a third loss in the same venue is staring Barrera in the eye, and that it should be the last big fight for the three-time world champion from Guadalajara.
?I think Manny is too much for Barrera right now. He hits harder now than ever. He is so used to the weight now. I think the last time they fought was at 126,? he said.
Pacquiao, who will turn 29 in December, resumes his training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood today. He flew in the other day at a comfortable 132.5 lbs, which is so close the 130 lb limit.
