Freddie Roach: Manny Pacquiao smarter now

Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez will be facing a stronger, quicker and smarter Manny Pacquiao than in their past two fights when they square off for the third time on November 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

And Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, sees a quick ending in favor of his prized ward.

“I still say, Manny has become a completely different fighter than the Manny Pacquiao who first fought him (Marquez) a long time ago,” Roach was quoted as saying by Igor Frank of the Glendale Boxing Examiner.

“This fight won’t last six rounds.”

Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a controversial draw in May 2004, before Pacquiao won a narrow split decision in March 2008.

The 38-year-old Marquez has bulked up for the fight, set at a catchweight of 144 pounds, and Roach said it’s an indication that he will be willing to mix it up with Pacquiao just like in the past.

“He looks like he put on some muscle,” said Roach. ”He’s getting a little stronger. Maybe, he’ll try to exchange with us. I hope that happens.”

Meanwhile, Top Rank boss Bob Arum has emphatically ruled out any possibility of Pacquiao fighting the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., who, he believes, is scared of facing the Filipino.

“When Mayweather talks about how he hates Top Rank he’s talking (expletive),” said Arum in an article written by John Wisler of the San Antonio Express.

“What Mayweather hates is Manny’s right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out.

“Pacquiao and Mayweather is a three- or four-round fight. Period. If Manny agreed to just jab with the right hand the fight would be made in 30 seconds,” said Arum.