Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Roach: Horn is no Marquez


Veteran trainer Freddie Roach appeared amused when asked about Jeff Horn's plan of landing a monster right hand on Manny Pacquiao in their July 2 bout – the same kind of punch that Juan Manuel Marquez used to knock out the "Pacman" back in December 2012.

"The Marquez knockout has been our main point," Horn said ahead of his showdown against the Filipino star, which marks his first time to fight for a world title.

"Marquez fought Pacquiao the best that anyone has fought Pacquiao. So he's someone that we have looked at a lot, and to land the same punch that Marquez did in the fight – the big overhand right – that's definitely what we're looking for," he added.

Roach was in Pacquiao's corner when Marquez connected on that stunning right hand counter that sent the Filipino star falling face first to the canvas with just one second to go in the sixth round.

It marked the only time that a Pacquiao-Marquez bout had a definitive result as their previous three fights all ended in inconclusive decisions.

But Roach doubts that Horn has it in him to land a Marquez-like punch, even if the Australian does have a strong right hand.


"Well, you know, he's not Marquez, and he never will be," Roach said bluntly.

The only way that Horn can land a blow like that is if Pacquiao makes a mistake, the way he did against Marquez.

"If Manny steps on his foot and slips over a little bit and makes a mistake like that, he'll have Marquez all over again," said Roach. "But I don't see that happening."

"I don't know if we can compare Horn and Marquez," the trainer stressed. "Marquez is a great fighter, and Horn, he's a young kind coming up. We'll see."

But Roach stressed that Pacquiao is not in any way underestimating Horn, especially as the trainer believes that the Australian has "nothing to lose."

"He is in a very good situation," Roach said of Horn. "He can go out there and maybe get lucky, you never know. But we're not underestimating him – we're 100% ready for him."

"I don't think he'll beat Manny, but the thing is, he's in a very good position to help himself and help his country," he added.

source: news.abs-cbn.com