JUAN Manuel Marquez can run but can’t hide.

Manny Pacquiao’s fast-paced boxing style, honed by four-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach through the decades, will absolutely be the key to his triumph in his fourth fight versus Marquez on Saturday (today Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach, the one who pushed Pacquiao to boxing greatness, emphasizes that head and body movements are very vital to Pacquiao’s bout since the Mexican Marquez ha become bigger and wider.

“Manny’s movement is important so we need to improve his legs, lateral movement and of course the movement of his head,” Roach told reporters during an HBO documentary series for the Pacquiao-Marquez 4.

“Manny’s condition looks great and I expect him to hit Marquez more times,” Roach added. “Marquez fought last year at a slow pace. I’m sure he’ll fight the same way, so we just need to be faster this time.”

Roach also believes that Pacquiao’s hand speed will control the fight in favor of the Filipino.

“I’m convinced to what I saw in training and sparring sessions at Wildcard. Manny absolutely looks great and ready,” said Roach, who also needs Pacquiao’s convincing win to out coach his big rival—Marquez’s long time mentor Nacho Beristain.

‘Speedy punches’
In another point of view, Marquez (54-6-1 win-loss-draw card with 39 knockouts) could run but he can’t hide when Pacquiao’s flurry of speedy punches chases him inside the ring.

“Marquez is a clever fighter and he will try to run from Manny but he can’t hide,” said World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes. “Marquez’s big muscles give him some advantages but it is not enough.”

“Fighting skills are still mor important than having big muscles,” said Nietes, expressing his all-out support to his fellow Filipino. “Manny’s latest condition astonishes me in fact. I’m sure he can knock Marquez out even if he runs to every corner of the ring.”

Boxing analyst Lee Wylie of the Sweet Science said the 34-year-old Pacquiao’s trailing left hand could seriously damage Marquez if it ever lands on him unguarded. That’s the main weapon of Pacquiao (54-4-2 win-loss-draw with 38 KOs).

“Pacquiao pulls this off mainly by drifting to his left, and to the right of his opponent [unusual for a southpaw] before transferring his weight back over to his right side prior to releasing the shot,” said Wylie.

“One of the reasons Pacquiao is effective with his trailing left hand lead is the subtle movement.”

Cebuano veteran promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who owns a boxing training camp in Cebu, said “running and fighting backward” may still possibly be Marquez’s technique in fighting Pacquiao.

‘Best condition’
But the fighters who have the best condition will surely win the fight —by decision or by knockout.

“It depends on how Manny will beat Marquez up,” said Gello-ani in an interview. “Marquez could run just like last year but this year’s fight is different for both fighters. But I’m sure Manny will fight different today.”

Gello-ani, however, warned Pacquiao that Marquez’s strategy will definitely frustrate him during the bout, where the Mexican won’t engage with him toe-to-toe but will rely on counter-punching and backpedalling.

“If he [Manny] gets frustrated, then Marquez will expect Manny to loosen up,” he said. “That’s why Manny needs to be patient and wait for the 39-year-old Marquez to go forward before unleashing a surprising combo. If he hits Marquez bad, I’m sure the fight is over.”

For Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, the speed of the eighth weight world division champion would neutralize Marquez’s counter-punching and could also hurt Marquez’s foot if he ever tries running most of the time.

‘Tough fight’
“Manny’s condition is great and his superb speed is unbelievable. I’m expecting a tough fight but I’m sure Manny will knock him out,” said Ariza in his twitter account @ArizaFitness.

Ariza said Pacquiao gets faster, stronger and wiser through body exercises and ply metrics plus proper diet.

In fact, the last time they fought last year, Marquez softly hit Pacquiao most of the time with lack of aggressiveness.

In contrast, Pacquiao’s punches landed on Marquez so hard which made him run away in most rounds. The majority of the judges, then, gave Pacquiao, 33, the win.

The first time they fought in 2004 ended in a draw while Pacquiao got a split decision win in 2008.