Marquez is Manny's toughest opponent

DURING his brief stay here in Davao City last November to train Manny Pacquiao, noted American trainer Freddie Roach was asked who among the three Mexican fighters--Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera--is the toughest foe for the Filipino ring warrior. Without batting an eyelash, Roach shot back: "Juan Manuel Marquez." Then a follow-up question was thrown: "Who is the easiest opponent among the three?" Again, Roach came up with a ready answer: "Marco Antonio Barrera." All those who have gathered around Roach at the oven-hot Davao City boxing gym while Pacquiao was shadowboxing atop the ring couldn't agree more. The fact that the famous trainer came all the way here from Los Angeles, and against the advise of his friends, underscored Roach's determination and seriousness to train Pacquiao for Marquez, the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association featherweight champion. Pacquiao was then training for his fight with Thai Fahsan 3K Battery of Thailand, whom he eventually crushed in just four rounds last December, but, as the Team Pacquiao declared, the pug was actually honing up his skills for Marquez. "Marquez is an intelligent fighter. He is better than Barrera and Morales," Roach said. The American went on to say that Barrera is the easiest target. Pacquiao dealt Barrera a severe beating in November 2003 to become the People's Champion. Barrera, however, was able to recover from that devastating defeat and dethrone Morales as World Boxing Council super featherweight titlist just recently. Pacquiao decked Marquez three times in the first round but couldn't finished him off to settle for a bloody draw the first time they met in May. Roach noted that Pacquiao relied too much on his left hand the first time around, the reason Marquez was able to survive the onslaught. To beat Marquez, Roach said Pacquiao has to develop his right hook the next time around. It was evident during the training here that Roach wants Pacquiao not only to unleash his right hook but also make it a devastating weapon in the Filipino pug's arsenal. In between rounds during the sparring sessions, Roach would always remind Pacquiao to fire the right hook and applauds everytime his ward connects one. Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Marquez in a rematch on February 26 in Las Vegas. "We can knockout Marquez if Manny uses both fists," Roach said.