Robert Garcia on Preparing For Mayweather, Pacquiao

By Rick Reeno

Veteran trainer Robert Garcia has had the privilege of preparing fighters to unseat the two biggest names in the sport, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Garcia worked the corner of both Antonio Margarito and Brandon Rios in their lopsided decision losses to Pacquiao. Last year he prepared Marcos Maidana for his two twelve round defeats at the hands of Mayweather.

He explained what it's like, as a coach, to prepare his fighters for two of the most difficult styles to overcome in the ring.

There are ongoing negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown in the spring.

"We've been in against both of them, Pacquiao is just too fast, so strong and moves so fast to the sides. Brandon said he never hurt him, but he seen three Pacquiaos - one minute he's over here, then he's over there and then he's back to the other side. That's what's difficult about him, that's why it's hard to catch him. The only one who's been able to do it is [Juan Manuel] Marquez, with that type of style that waits, waits, waits to counter - maybe that's the only kind of style that does it," Garcia explained to BoxingScene.com.

"With Mayweather it's the same thing. We have a very limited fighter in Maidana and goes out there and doesn't beat him but does very good, especially in the first fight and in the second fight he was able to make him miss and then counter - which was very impressive to me. I think a young talented fighter who fights in the style of Marquez, who's waiting and waiting and waiting for that punch - might have a chance to beat either one of them."

But which fighter is tougher to prepare for? Pacquiao or Mayweather?

"I think Pacquiao is tougher [to prepare for]. To be able to adjust to his style, his speed and so many punches that he throws. I think Pacquiao is a little more difficult to prepare for," Garcia said.