• Manny Pacquiao v Brandon Rios

Rios prepared for 'scary' Pacquiao

Robert Garcia does not believe Manny Pacquiao is the same fighter as five years ago © Getty Images

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Trainer Robert Garcia believes Brandon Rios is prepared to face a "scary" Manny Pacquiao in Macau on November 23.

Rios and Pacquiao will both step into the ring on the back of defeats - with 'Pac Man' returning after successive losses - in an attempt to get their respective careers back on track. The winner will gain the vacant WBO international welterweight title.

Pacquiao was beaten by Timothy Bradley in June last year before he suffered a knockout defeat at the hands of long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December. Rios lost by unanimous decision to Mike Alvarado in his last outing in March.

However, despite Pacquiao's recent dip, Garcia is adamant his fighter has fully prepared for the Filipino who dominated world boxing and established himself as the pound-for-pound king.

"We're training for the Pacquiao that has done everything," Garcia told RingTV.com "The Pacquiao that is so fast, and so powerful, and who has knocked everybody out. We're preparing for the Pacquiao that's scary.

"We don't like to publicise what's going on in training, but I'm so impressed. Brandon's been knocking our sparring partners out. He's doing a good job, looking so strong and so fast, and we've still got six weeks before the fight.

"Brandon's going to fight at welterweight, so he doesn't have to kill himself to make weight. He's strong and he's walking around 10, 12 pounds over the weight. But at six weeks before the fight that's no problem. Brandon's going to be faster.

"I don't see the same Pacquiao of five years ago. I know that a lot of people will agree with me, but we still need to prepare for that scary Pacquiao."

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