Philippines, 16 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MANNY COUNTERS, STEPS ON THE GAS AGAIN


PhilBoxing.com


IT will be different from all the three previous fights, promoter Bob Arum says of the Dec. 8 fourth bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Different, Arum explains, because both of them will be ?looking for different strategies this time so much so that the winner will be more conclusive.?

Both have vowed to be more aggressive ?and each of them will be taking the fight to the other.?

In that case, Arum surmises, ?it may be a disadvantage for Juan Manuel whose biggest advantage is counter-punching but who vows to be a lot more aggressive as well.?

**

The point is very clear: something?s go to give.

You can?t rock, go bang, bang and stay an impeccable counter-puncher at the same time.

These details were bared during a media conference call involving Arum, Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach in California yesterday.

The conference coincided with Marquez?s media day workout scheduled in Mexico City yesterday.

**

By the time this column comes out, Team Pacquiao must?ve already confirmed earlier claims that Marquez has undergone an amazing physical build-up.

Last seen inside the gym in Mexico, El Dinamita was described as ?a wrecking ball with tons of muscles.?

Of course, it should also be determined during the Marquez workout whether or not the classy Mexican boxing icon has slowed down with (his) fearsome extra poundage.

?I am not worried about strength,? Roach stressed during the conference call. ?I don?t think muscle gives you a better chin?

**

Needless to say, Roach is expected to order Pacquiao to push what he expects to be a muscular but slower Marquez to the limit.
You see, it was done very quietly but Pacquiao has been ordered to step on the gas again.

Remember how some two weeks back when Pacquiao confided to a close-in Manila broadcaster he had to give his body some rest while training hard for the Marquez bout?

As noted here earlier, something came in the way as Pacquioa tried to run back to the summer when he was only 24. He suddenly paused and said he may not need to really go back that far.
When buttonholed at the Wild Card Gym on why he had to skip some running routines, Pacquiao said he had found it necessary to give his body time to recover.

?So how do you feel now?? Pacquiao, 31, was asked.

?I?m 28 and I feel perfectly fine,? he beamed, Pacquiao, by the way, was 28 when he stopped and retired the heavily favored Oscar de la Hoya.

**

Now, listen, please.

Suddenly, Pacquiao was again running fast and hard to that summer when he was 24.

?Many will fight at a faster pace, like he did in the first fight,? Roach assured during yesterday?s conference. ?We will not let Marquez dictate the pace.?

Can Manny fight at the same pace as he did in their first fight?

?Yes, yes!?

Himself speaking, Pacquiao has vowed all-out aggression, speed, hip movement.

?We have Plan A and Plan B, we plan to pressure and counter him, move my head a lot of work.?

Counter Pacquiao surely will, not realizing he had already scored the biggest counter-punch of the lengthy rivalry by deciding to train like old and get in there as original Pacific Storm again.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 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.