Roach reluctant to train Pacquiao for a 4th fight with Marquez

Fighting Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time is something Freddie Roach is reluctant to do. Especially with the way Manny Pacquiao was fortunate enough to escape again with a majority decision over his long-time Mexican rival and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It’s a fight that I don’t want to do again, but it looks like we have to," said Roach at the post-fight press conference. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was quick to make a hint that a Pacquiao-Marquez rematch is in the offing for May 2012 provided both fighters agree to it. While hesitant, Roach said Marquez is worthy to be given a rematch especially with the competitive spirit he showed the third time he faced Pacquiao. “I do think he deserves a rematch," said the long-time Pacquiao trainer. “He had Manny’s numbers. He gave us problems," Roach said. “Manny had some good shots, but not so great. Marquez took Manny’s punches a lot better this time." The 51-year-old five-time Trainer of the Year disclosed Pacquiao began to suffer cramps in his arches beginning the fourth round, obviously affecting his performance onwards. “It (cramps) happened in the last two fights. Of course, I’m not making any excuses. It was a close fight and Marquez fought very well." Roach was humble enough to admit he was wrong in his prediction of a sixth round knockout win for the `Pacman.’ “I predicted the fight to last six rounds, but I was way, way off," he said. “It was a very competitive fight, a very close fight." And he vowed to train Pacquiao even harder and better, if and when a fourth meeting with Marquez is finally arranged. “We just need to deal with counter-punchers a little bit better. I just got to do my job as a trainer a little bit better," said Roach. - OMG, GMA News