Freddie Roach says Juan Manuel Marquez deserves a rematch with Manny Pacquiao – Boxing news
Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has admitted that Juan Manuel Marquez, who is the current World Boxing Association Super, World Boxing Organisation and The Ring Lightweight World Champion, was once again very good against his man and he deserves
a rematch.
The eight-division world champion and the current World Boxing Organisation Welterweight World Champion (Super Champion), Pacquiao, retained his title Marquez in their much-anticipated trilogy bout last weekend on November 12, 2011 at the MGM Grand Arena
in Las Vegas, Nevada but it was not a convincing performance from the Filipino star as he secured a controversial 12-round majority decision.
“He's given us problems three times now and he's very good at what he does,” Roach told
Sports Illustrated. “He deserves a rematch.”
The 32-year-old Pacquiao, who is currently rated as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, entered the ring as a red-hot favourite yet it was Marquez who left everyone flabbergasted with his pace and aggression.
In most of the rounds, Marquez was almost invincible for Pacquiao and his counterpunching was far superior to the Filipino, who everyone thought would walk through Marquez.
Pacquiao was awarded verdicts of 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113 and Roach believes if Marquez had been a little more aggressive in the last few rounds he would have come out victorious.
“The fight was there for there for Marquez,” said Roach. “But he chose to stay in that counterpunching mode and not come forward and if I'm going to give a close round to someone I'm going to give it to the aggressor.”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao, who now carries a record of winning 54 of his 59 professional fights (2 Draws), with 38 of his wins coming by the way of a knockout, also admitted fighting Marquez is not easy for him.
“I have to accept that it's not too easy to fight Marquez,” said Pacquiao. “He's always backing off, he's waiting for me to create action [so he can] counter. It's not easy.”
Pacquiao and Marquez have both met three times in the ring now yet their doubts have not been ended.
However, all that is left to see is whether they will sign another contract or not.
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