FILIPINO boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will most likely train with fighters smaller than him in preparing for Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
According to famed trainer Freddie Roach, they have chosen sparring partners who may be small, but possess ring generalship that can simulate Marquez.
?There will be small adjustments, but I don?t want Manny to listen to those who are telling him Marquez will be smaller this time. Marquez is still Marquez, who lasted 24 rounds with Manny,? said Roach.
In Baguio City, Roach is employing former world superfeatherweight champion Jorge Linares as Pacquiao?s sparring partner.
Linares will be part of Team Pacquiao until they leave for Los Angeles in October, where they will spend the rest of his training program at the Wild Card Gym.
?I thought they were about to start their training camp this week, but I was surprised when they asked me to spar last week,? Linares told mediamen. ?It was a tremendous workout and from what I saw, he will knock Marquez out.?
Superflyweight prospect Miguel Diaz will also be utilized as a sparring partner in Los Angeles.
Pacquiao will be making the third defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown when he meets Marquez for the third time on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
ARCE SPEAKS. For the first time ever, Mexican superstar Jorge Arce has publicly stated his willingness to fight Filipino champion Nonito Donaire, Jr.
Arce visited the Top Rank office in Las Vegas Wednesday to discuss his opponent in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez battle.
