By Ernesto Castellanos, notifight.com
Trainer Nacho Beristain brushed off the various comments which claim Juan Manuel Marquez knocked out Manny Pacquiao with a "lucky punch." Last Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Marquez finally captured a victory over Pacquiao, after failing to win a decision in three previous meetings, by using a single right hand to knock Pacquiao out cold in the sixth round.
"Some have said that Marquez's victory was the result of a lucky punch. Lucky? It was a punch that we practiced many times in the gym, and that this time it worked. There is a small group [of people] who do not like us, who want to downgrade Juan Manuel's achievements. We closed a lot of mouths with this victory. For some time, Juan has been testing various combinations, different punches. He was waiting for his opponent's attack, and then make a move to the left side and release the full power of the right hook. The fight was hard because Juan and Pacquiao know each other so well, but the moment came and the knockout came," Nacho said.
"The victory of Juan made me happy, but at that time [I was also thinking about] the Filipino's health. He was not moving. His head hit the canvas, there was a thump and he was unconscious. He fell face first to the canvas. It's a good thing that he recovered. Pacquiao is very strong. Here in the gym, Juan knocked out someone in sparring with an identical punch."
Marquez, 39, has not publically stated whether or not he plans to continue fighting, but Nacho expects his student to resume training very soon.
"[I told him to take a month off], but I know him. He will return soon, although it would be best to take more of the month off to rest," Nacho said.
Nacho believes Juan will fight again within the first six months of the upcoming year. He doesn't know who Marquez will face next, but doesn't rule out a fifth fight with Pacquiao or unbeaten junior welterweight Brandon Rios.
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