Pacman: Is a KO the only right last card?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Sep 2012
THERE are, to tell the truth, several ways Manny Pacquaio can/could beat the unsinkable Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao could, in fact, take a shallow, predictable stand the way he did in their last fight, their third, and still emerge the winner.
But we must first listen to trainer Freddie Roach who has drastically pared down Pacquiao?s winning chance to a last-ditch stoppage.
It?s only with a last-card knockout, Roach cried, Pacquiao could close his long-standing feud with Marquez in their once awaited road show that has also turned tiresome and trite.
**
Roach took horribly long before he sounded the ultimatum in his cornering job that saw Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. losing the world welterweight crown to Argentine marvel Sergio Martinez last Sunday.
The many-time trainer of the year has however made sure he won?t be caught napping again.
If possible Roach has obviously asked Pacquiao to dig in for the kill the moment he crosses paths with Marquez in the pre-fight weigh-in.
The fight has been scheduled Dec. 8 at the MGM Las Vegas Grand Hotel and Casino.
**
?I think we need to knock this guy out, I don?t think we?ll need a decision, regardless of how the fight goes,? Roach told Robert Morales of boxingscene.com.
For his part, a suddenly fired-up Pacquiao, 34, says he plans to travel ten years back to reclaim his ball-of-fire artillery that had cut down and consumed a slew of prizefight greats.
The Pacman said they should be prepared to see him fight as splendidly as he did when he was only twenty-four.
One question that must be asked though is whether or not Pacquiao is honestly convinced he could take a quickie ride back to knockout town by just wishing to be there again.
**
It?s like this: Going by the bout-by-bout result of Pacquiao?s trilogy with Marquez, it was the Mexican dynamite who appeared on track to closing the rivalry with a bang.
Bout One was a draw, Bout Two taken by Pacquiao on a disputed majority decision, and the third a split decision for the Pacman, who had visibly agonized and was bloodied after being punished by his long-time nemesis last November.
Take it from Roach, Marquez, 39,has definitely grown tougher, sharper through the years.
?I?ve had three chances to come up with the strategy and style to beat the guy and we haven?t done well in any of them,? Roach was quoted by philboxing?s Maloney Somaco as saying.
**
Meanwhile, it?s no secret Marquez will be a lot more awesome than the last time he met Pacquiao.
In fact, Marquez has sounded doubly confident when he vowed to also knock out Pacquiao at the start of the fight?s press tour in California.
Close-in viewers claimed Marquez has acquired more power and put on more muscle.
There was also a promise of vaster artillery and sharper techniques from his trainer.
Who knows? Maybe Freddie Roach has decided to keep his cards close to his chest.
Last heard of, all he could say was that his prize warrior would be there to overrun Marquez who, by way, had taken advantage of Pacquiao?s crouching, crowding style in previous encounters.
Yes, Pacquiao is most predictable, an easy target, when digging in for a knockout.
Marquez did not have to be told he could beat Pacquiao either by decision or knockout.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026