Pacquiao vs Marquez: Focused Training Shows Pac-Man Is Worried About Marquez

I would never go as far as to call Manny Pacquiao a loafer or lazy. Such disrespect would demand a rail on which I would be run out of the proverbial sports town. I will say that Pacquiao's has a renewed focus on this particular fight, and I know why. 

We heard a great deal about Pacquiao serving two masters ahead of his bout with Antonio Margarito, his political aspirations catching the ire of trainer Freddie Roach. 

He then demolished a hapless Shane Mosley in the ring without really testing his full limits in camp. All of that is different for this go around. Juan Manuel Marquez's appearance on the card has sparked a fervor in Pacquiao that we have not seen for some time. 

One of the best pound for pound boxers ever seen in boxing history is not taking anything for granted against a pugilist who has twice managed to take him the distance in previous encounters. 

Roach told the Los Angeles Times that he is actually concerned about his workhorse petering out far too soon. He states the following: 

"

We're way ahead of where we usually are, like 75-80% of where we should be by fight night. We're usually around 50% right now. I have to make sure we don't overdo it.

"

Pacquiao is pushing himself to the very edge for this bout. The reason is simple: he does not want this decision to rest with the judges. 

Boxing is a great sport that can be far too subjective for its own good. Imagine a top-notch fight going the distance with Pacquiao assured of a victory. Only, one or two judges don't see it that way. 

A split decision would damage Pacquiao's legacy as he enters his twilight years. A loss at the hands of the judges would be a disaster. 

With Marquez, we have a fighter who is familiar with Pac-Man in the ring. He will be aptly prepared to take on every last shot. Pacquiao knows that he will once again be tested. 

The only way to pass this test for certain is to annihilate Marquez. Leave nothing to chance is the call of the day. Now is not the time to fear of exhaustion. There will be plenty of time to rest in retirement. 

It's time to hit that final gear as we head into next week, when we get the fight of the year.