MANILA, Philippines – Unless Manny Pacquiao dominates Juan Manuel Marquez like he?s never done before, don?t expect the Filipino boxing superstar to escape with another narrow win.
Well, that?s what Freddie Roach thinks.
?I don?t think we?ll win a decision regardless of how the fight goes,? the trainer who still has to solve the Marquez puzzle told www.boxingscene.com the other day.
Roach had admitted a number of times before that Marquez has been Pacquiao?s toughest customer, and that the Mexican has the style that suits them well.
Pacquiao and Marquez have fought three times, all 36 hard rounds, since 2004, and it seems that fight fans can?t get over it. A fourth fight is not even a hard-sell.
Three close fights, a draw in 2004 and split decisions for Pacquiao in 2008 and 2011, aren?t enough to settle the real score that on Dec. 8 they will meet again.
Pacquiao, who floored Marquez thrice in 2004, once in 2008 but never in 2011, said he?s going for the knockout as if he wasn?t going for it all these years.
?I want to knock him out,? Pacquiao said the other day in Beverly Hills, the first stop of a quick, three-city tour promoting their fourth showdown at the MGM Grand.
?I need a knockout,? Pacquiao wrote on a piece of paper which he handed over to his trainer during the press conference, and should be a great piece of history 50 years from now.
Roach agrees.
?But I need to get Manny to get that killer instinct back. To be pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world I think we need to knock this guy out,? he said.
