Tweet
Freddie Roach insists that Juan Manuel Marquez has never been into a fight as tough, as testy as the one he had against Manny Pacquiao in 2004 in Las Vegas.
The two-time Trainer of the Year said this will certainly work against the Mexican champion.
“I think the greatest fight he’s ever been into was the one against Manny,” said Roach, in Boracay, for the Christmas holidays.
Since that May 8, 2004 draw with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, Marquez has gone with six wins against a single loss, a unanimous decision to Chris John in Indonesia.
It was a fight Marquez took after turning down a $750,000 offer for a rematch with Pacquiao. Against John, in a fight held in Tenggarong City, the Mexican was paid “peanuts.”
Marquez’ six wins came against names like Orlando Salido, Victor Polo, Terdsak Jandaeng, Filipino Jimrex Jaca, and most notably Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has gone 7-1 since that fight against Marquez, who got floored thrice in the opening round but worked hard to salvage the controversial draw.
Pacquiao fought the great Erik Morales thrice, winning twice, and scored wins against Fahsan 3K Battery, and Mexicans Hector Velasquez, Oscar Larios Jorge Solis and Barrera.
Roach, spending time in Boracay with Pacquiao and a couple of friends, believes that nothing much has changed on the part of Marquez except that he’s now the WBC super-featherweight champion.
“It’s still his awkward style. He’s a great counter-puncher. But he can’t change his style. His best shot is still his counter-punch,” said Roach of Marquez, at 34 five years older than Pacquiao.
“Manny just got carried away in the first fight after knocking down Marquez thrice in the first round. But now he’s become better, and now he’s got two hands. He’s now the best pound-for-pound.”
“Maybe he’s gotten slower but he’s still good,” added Pacquiao.
Whether they’re right or wrong will be known on March 15.
The two-time Trainer of the Year said this will certainly work against the Mexican champion.
“I think the greatest fight he’s ever been into was the one against Manny,” said Roach, in Boracay, for the Christmas holidays.
Since that May 8, 2004 draw with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, Marquez has gone with six wins against a single loss, a unanimous decision to Chris John in Indonesia.
It was a fight Marquez took after turning down a $750,000 offer for a rematch with Pacquiao. Against John, in a fight held in Tenggarong City, the Mexican was paid “peanuts.”
Marquez’ six wins came against names like Orlando Salido, Victor Polo, Terdsak Jandaeng, Filipino Jimrex Jaca, and most notably Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has gone 7-1 since that fight against Marquez, who got floored thrice in the opening round but worked hard to salvage the controversial draw.
Pacquiao fought the great Erik Morales thrice, winning twice, and scored wins against Fahsan 3K Battery, and Mexicans Hector Velasquez, Oscar Larios Jorge Solis and Barrera.
Roach, spending time in Boracay with Pacquiao and a couple of friends, believes that nothing much has changed on the part of Marquez except that he’s now the WBC super-featherweight champion.
“It’s still his awkward style. He’s a great counter-puncher. But he can’t change his style. His best shot is still his counter-punch,” said Roach of Marquez, at 34 five years older than Pacquiao.
“Manny just got carried away in the first fight after knocking down Marquez thrice in the first round. But now he’s become better, and now he’s got two hands. He’s now the best pound-for-pound.”
“Maybe he’s gotten slower but he’s still good,” added Pacquiao.
Whether they’re right or wrong will be known on March 15.
Comment