Marquez has Pacquiao's number –Atlas

MANILA, Philippines — Teddy Atlas, who once trained a young lion named Mike Tyson, is convinced that while Juan Manuel Marquez’s style made life difficult for Manny Pacquiao in their rubber match last November, the fact that the Filipino has “so much on his plate” also contributed to his not-so-impressive showing.

“I didn’t see Manny Pacquiao take the chances and fight with aggression, and again, part of that is Marquez, but I didn’t see that attitude,” said Atlas, a renowned trainer and boxing analyst, in a story posted yesterday by fighthype.

Pacquiao was awarded a 12-round majority decision over Marquez in Las Vegas and the Mexican cried robbery, compelling Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum to declare that he is keen on staging a fourth fight that he hopes would find a definitive answer to the rivalry.

Atlas, who served as assistant to Tyson’s discoverer Cus D’Amato, noted that such fourth showdown will never take place since Pacquiao “is going to finish his career off and go into a different direction.”

“There are so many other options out there for this guy. He has so many options because of his unique situation with his country and the iconic status that he has in his country, and all of those options he has with politics, entertainment, and everything else.”

Still, Atlas believes Marquez’s counter-punching skills was also a big factor why Pacquiao could not do what was expected from him.

“Timing, that I always say on ESPN, negates speed…what he did was he waited for the other guy to lead. He changed the distance just a little bit, and when the other guy led and reached a little bit, he countered and he timed it with right hands.”

Because Marquez has Pacquiao’s number, Atlas said “I don’t think you’re going to see a fourth fight.”

Pacquiao will be shopping for an opponent for a planned ring return in May or June 2012 and the short list is composed of Tim Bradley, Lamont Peterson, Miguel Cotto and Marquez.

The full details of Pacquiao’s next fight will be known in January after he meets with Arum.