Roach wants overhaul of Pacquiao fight plan vs Marquez

MANILA, Philippines—For trainer Freddie Roach, an overhaul of their fight straight strategy is in order if Manny Pacquiao is to finally knock Juan Manuel Marquez out on Dec. 8.

“We have Marquez three times using all kinds of strategy,” Roach told ringtv.craveline.com Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). “It’s time to throw logic out the window and start over.”

Roach wants Pacquiao to be much bolder and more relentless when he shows up for his fourth and last fight against the Mexican warrior at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“This time Manny will go after him like the first fight,” Roach said. “Manny told me he knows he needs a knockout. He’s never said that before.”

Having put Marquez on the canvas four times—three in the opening round of their first fight in 2004 and once in the third round of Pacquiao-Marquez II in 2008—Pacquiao definitely has the power to knock out Marquez.

Roach said he needs “to re-ignite the killer instinct Manny has lacked in the last (two) fights with Marquez,” whom he narrowly beat by split and majority decision, respectively.

There was neither fire nor anger in Pacquiao’s eyes when he dominated Timothy Bradley early on only to lay back and allow the unbeaten American to steal a split decision.

Pacquiao and Marquez, whom Roach described as “the smartest fighter of his era,” will promote their fight in Mexico City on Friday.