Manny Pacquiao: Trainer Freddie Roach Wisely Sounding a Note of Caution

Headed into his fight against rival Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao's biggest danger is playing into Marquez's strengths, going straight at him and getting counter-punched in the process.

That's why when Pacquiao promised an explosive fight on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, trainer Freddie Roach was quick to hold him back.

Roach explained Pacquiao's last two fights against Marquez, via The Telegraph:

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"Instead of fighting his own fight he followed Marquez and began fighting his fight - big mistake. I think Manny won both fights though Manny made them closer than they should have been. I'm worried that Marquez could have Manny's number. He is the only fighter who seems to have figured out Manny's style. That is why I am training Manny for the knockout - to clear the air on who is better. Manny is going to shut up Marquez once and for all - I'm sick of his whining."

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Clearly, Roach cares about this fight just as much as Pacquiao.

The difference is that Roach knows Pacquiao can't just bull-rush Marquez, because that is when the 38-year-old is at his best.

As complete a fighter as Pacquiao has been, Marquez is training for this fight like it's his last, and it may very well be. He is essentially pinning his whole career on this fight, through his words and gestures, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's by design, too.

What better way to get Pacquiao to rush at you with reckless abandon than by insulting him and wearing T-shirts labeled, "I beat Pacquiao twice."

Said Pacquiao, "I want to end all the questions he has raised about who won our past fights and who the better fighter is."

If Pacquiao isn't careful, he will end those questions, but not in the manner he intended.