By Robert Morales
Since we are just a Manny Pacquiao signature away from his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, it's a good time to quickly look back at the first two. In the first one in May 2004, Marquez got up from three first-round knockdowns to earn a draw, Marquez thus retaining his two featherweight belts. They fought again in March 2008 and Pacquiao won a split decision and took Marquez's super featherweight title.
Marquez's camp cried - and we mean loudly - about both results, particularly the second. But Roach said Pacquiao deserved to be the victor not only in the second fight, but the first as well.
"I thought we won both of them," Roach said. "I thought Pacquiao came back at the end of the first one and won a couple of close rounds. I gave him the edge in both fights. The knockdown made the difference in the second fight. But, you know, some people like this, some people like that. I thought they were great fights for boxing, I don't think there was any robbery. I think they were just good for the sport, and I think the third one will be great for the sport, also. I don't see any change."
Roach said he likes aggressive styles - such as Pacquiao's - as opposed to those who do more counter-punching, like Marquez.
