Linares, Ariza: Marquez will fall in six rounds

BAGUIO CITY ,Philippines  – Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will stop Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez inside six rounds.

This bold prediction came from Venezuelan lightweight Jorge Linares who serves as Pacquiao’s sparring partner.

Linares believes that Pacquiao will be too strong for Marquez when the two great fighters meet for the third time in November.

Linares had gone a few rounds with Pacquiao in sparring at the Shape Up Gym here, and was so impressed with the Filipino icon.

“You can really feel his power,” said Linares.

He’s not new to Pacquiao’s power because Linares had sparred with the former a couple of times before.

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, said the end may come even earlier than the sixth round.

“It will be earlier than you would think,” said Ariza after supervising Pacquiao’s morning ritual at the Teacher’s Camp here.

Ariza has been around Pacquiao since the David Diaz fight and has introduced ways for the Filipino champion to add up in size without sacrificing his speed.

Pacquiao is entering his second week of training here, and is said to be slowly reaching peak in time for Nov. 12 battle with Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“He is more complete now. He has much more speed, power and explosiveness,” Ariza said.

“Marquez may be a bit smarter and more cautious now. But at the end of the day that will not win you the fight,” the conditioning coach also said.

 Pacquiao jogged around the Baguio Teacher’s Camp with Linares, Ariza and other members of Team Pacquiao, getting up a little bit late than usual for his morning run.

They spent three hours running and doing flexing exercises.

Before spending a stress-free Sunday, Pacquiao exhausted himself last Saturday.  He spent his morning running and exercising at the Sta. Lucia Subdivision road last Saturday.

After lunch, he arrived at the gym and immediately sparred with Linares.