• Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez

Pacquiao 'won't touch gloves with Marquez'

ESPN staff
October 26, 2011
Alex Ariza: 'Manny Pacquiao has a disdain for Juan Manuel Marquez, and I've never known him to dislike anyone' © PA Photos
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Juan Manuel Marquez has provoked Manny Pacquiao into showing his "merciless" side, according to Pacquiao's strength and conditioning trainer Alex Ariza.

Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against Marquez on November 12 in what will be the third meeting between the pair. Their 2004 clash was marked up as a draw, before Pacquiao edged a split decision four years later.

Marquez has riled Pacquiao by claiming the judges robbed him of a victory on both occasions, and Ariza says the Filipino is desperate to settle the score.

"I don't think I've seen him more focused, and I think it's because it's personal, for sure," Ariza said. "When something is personal, it's a lot different. He knows that he has to make a statement in this one. With everyone having questions about the first two, he has to make sure in this one that there's no doubt.

"We're going through sparring partners like you change underwear. I'm surprised that these guys are still coming back. I don't see Manny even touching gloves [with Marquez]. He has a disdain for the guy, and I've never known him to dislike anyone.

"Manny is still a nice guy and everything, but there's something very Third World about him when he wants to be. He can be merciless. I've seen it, and it's been a long time since I've seen that. Usually he lets guys off the hook. He isn't letting anybody off the hook."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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