If the lackluster performance of Marco Antonio Barrera is any indication, Manny Pacquaio should take that as a lesson in his current training going to his meeting with Mexican former champ Oscar Larios.

Although there is a point in arguing that Barrera is on the decline because of his age, it was also clear that he didn’t train hard enough for Rocky Juarez.  Had he done his training well, age would not be much of a factor as has been shown by his previous victories and the wins of old warriors like Bernard Hopkins and recently Oscar dela Hoya who dished out a scintillating performance against Ricardo Mayorga after eighteen months of inactivity.

Manny Pacquiao should not take Larios lightly.  At this point, Larios already has an advantage in terms of length of training because he started earlier than Pacquiao did.  This doesn’t mean, however, that Pacquiao is going to have an inadequate training.  There are also other factors that come with excellent training such as quality of sparring partners, trainer’s regimen and diet.

With respected trainer Freddie Roach keeping a close eye on him, Pacquiao may be in the right path in his training.  Lately, he vowed to give it his best for the sake of his countrymen and that’s a welcome remark for his fans.

He should, however, closely study the skills of Larios who is out to make a name for himself.  For sure, Larios is looking at his coming slugfest with Pacquiao as his chance of turning moneyed heads toward him if he beats the top 3 pound-for-pounder.  And this should be in the head of the PACMAN if he really is bent on making Larios another addition to his long list of Mexican victims.

What can you say, Pac fans?