According to world-class trainer Nacho Beristain, the fact that Manny Pacquiao is now a more refined boxer is an advantage for his star pupil, Juan Manuel Marquez, allowing him to utilize his boxing skills in what he thinks will be a much more traditional technical battle when both men step into the ring on November 12 to face each other for the third time. "We're really glad because we're going up against a fighter whose punches are well thrown. It's easier than taking on a wildcat who might make some strange move at any time," Beristain would explain during the premiere episode of 24/7 Pacquiao/Marquez.
Recalling their first encounter with the 8-division world champion, Beristain admits that they were unprepared for the explosive and dynamic style that Pacquiao brought to the ring. "He came out full of confidence, too confident, and he was going to give Pacquiao a boxing lesson, but suddenly the arena fell on top of him," Beristain continued. "We understood in that moment we were going up against something more than we'd been expecting; a bundle of dynamite that looked like a Filipino guy."
When they faced him the second time around, Marquez was much more prepared, but he was still caught off guard from time to time by Pacquiao, who was more controlled, but still relentless in his attacks. Since then, however, Pacquiao appears to have become more calculated in his approach, opting to stick to whatever game plan that Freddie Roach has laid out for him. It's a fact that Beristain is hoping will play into the hands of the tactical counterpunching of Marquez.