MACAU – Manny Pacquiao isn’t the same in the ring as he once was.

This is the belief of Robert Garcia, trainer of Brandon Rios, the American fighter Pacquiao goes up against this Sunday, November 24. Confident of his fighter’s chances against the Filipino favorite, Garcia says he has seen a decline in Pacquiao’s performance, and believes he is way past his peak.

Garcia was quick to point out, “He hasn’t knocked out anyone since 4 years ago.”

The last boxer with that distinction is Miguel Angel Cotto, who was knocked out in the 11th round in November 2009.

Pacquiao has not won a fight in the last  two years.

Garcia concedes, Pacquiao should have won against Timothy Bradley in June 2012, but said the Pacquiao of “4-5 years ago” would have knocked him out. He also said Pacquiao’s former self would never have been knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez.

A bitter arch rival, Marquez knocked Pacquiao out in their 4th clash last December 2012. This is his first fight since that devastating loss.

Garcia told reporters at the Media Center here at the Venetian Hotel, Pacquiao is different now, the wear and tear, has slowed him down.

“There are things that I have seen in his last few fights,” Garcia said. “A lot of fighters go through the same thing.”

“I am not saying this is Manny’s last fight. It doesn’t have to be. But everybody’s end comes one day,” he added. 

Garcia said he would have picked Pacquiao to beat top pound-per-pound boxer Floyd Mayweather 5 years ago but “not anymore.” But he clarifies that while Pacquiao is no longer at his best, that he is still “very, very good.”

He praised Pacquiao’s speed and power, but insisted Rios “trained very hard” and has the tools to stop him. Garcia said Rios will be especially driven as the underdog, knowing he is up against one of the sport’s best.

“Brandon knows the importance of this fight, of a win against Manny Pacquiao,” he said.

Pacquiao and Rios will face off for the vacant WBO International Welterweight title, with both looking to make a comeback after respective losses.

Convincing win

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach meanwhile, told the media he would be the first to tell Pacquiao to hang up his gloves if he felt he was no longer the same fighter as he once was.

“If Manny showed any slippage in training camp I’d be the first to tell him that. But it’s not time yet,” he said. “Manny will destroy this guy.”

Roach has maintained this is the best he has seen Pacquiao in a long time.

Despite conducting his full training at home in General Santos City, he was largely able to keep away from controversies and distractions that got in the way of past fight preparations. Roach said Pacquiao is focused and “anxious to be back.”

Pacquiao is back in the ring after an almost one year lay-off. He is attempting to prove he can still be counted among the sport’s elite, despite two consecutive losses.

“He knows he needs to win in a convincing fashion,” Roach said. “He knows he needs a knock out.” Roach says past fights could have ended in a knockout but Manny’s compassion got in the way.

Roach said he doesn’t think the fight will be difficult, and has predicted Pacquiao will stop Rios within 6 rounds.

Pacquiao finishes his final workout Friday afternoon, a day before Saturday’s weigh-in. Earlier in the morning, he ran in his suite’s treadmill before some sit-ups and stretches. Rios did his last workout Thursday morning. 

The fight takes place Sunday morning, local time. – Rappler.com