Trainer of the year Freddie Roach predicted yesterday that Manny Pacquiao will have “a very, very tough fight” against World Boxing Association/International Boxing Federation featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, nicknamed “Dinamita” in their scheduled May 22 title fight which is likely to be held in Las Vegas.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Manila Standard, Roach said he expects Marquez to agree to fight Pacquiao despite his initial balking at a $350,000 purse following reports that Pacquiao was to get $1 million following his sensational eleventh round devastation of legendary featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera last November 15 in San Antonio, Texas. However, Roach warned Pacquiao “this is not going to be an easy fight. Marquez is the world champion and a title fight is not meant to be easy.”
