Earlier today the second leg of the press tour for the November 13th Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito bout took place in New York City. Yesterday each fighter exuded extreme confidence while speaking from Beverly Hills, California and despite the change in location the overall tone remained the same.
“Here we go again,” Pacquiao would say as he addressed the media. By this point in his career the festivities related to a big fight are like second hand nature to the Filipino icon, who will be gunning for a title in a record eighth weight division.
“I want to thank everybody,” Pacquiao said. “Especially the media, press and HBO for supporting us. All I can say is that it is going to be a good fight. We know that Margarito loves to throw a lot of punches and he is a very aggressive fighter. Margarito is taller than me and bigger than me and it’s unfair to judge that he can’t do anything.”
In Margarito we will find Pacquiao facing yet another opponent who is seemingly bigger and stronger than he is. While that was never an issue for Pacquiao in his victories over Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey he seems to recognize the danger that Margarito possesses.
“He’s the kind of opponent that may look easy but when you get into the ring it’s going to be hard,” Pacquiao said of his Tijuana foe. “He’s very aggressive and is going to throw a lot of punches and that’s opposite of my last opponent [Clottey]. This guy wants to fight toe to toe and that’s what people love.”
While Margarito is still trying to redeem his image from the one-year suspension that sidetracked his career you will never be able to deny his entertainment value as a fighter. The rugged brawler was at one time regarded as one of the world’s premier fighters and is looking to reclaim his status in the sport with a resounding victory over Pacquiao, who is a -525 betting favorite.
“Pacquiao is a great fighter and I expect a tough fight but we are putting Mexico’s name in the highest because I will win,” Margarito continued with confidence. “I’m still very hungry. I’ve always wanted to be a WBC champion. Pacquiao’s a great fighter. I expect a tough fight. I’m going to win this fight.”
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has dismissed the threat that Margarito presents, noting that skill, and not size, is what wins fights. Roach stated that his charge Pacquiao is the most skilled fighter in the sport and expects a knockout victory on the 13th.
On the other side of the fence Margarito’s trainer Roberto Garcia has been adamant about an upset happening. The former IBF junior lightweight champion was known best for his battles in the ring against Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales and Joel Casamayor. He is one of he most sought out after trainers today and also works with interim WBA super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire. His chemistry with Margarito will be put to the test when the two fighters collide in a few months time.
For images from today’s presser please check out the slideshow below…
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Comments
I can't wait to see this fight. I believe that Margarito's chin is going to play a HUGE role in this fight. I see Margarito just shooting straight in and discounting Manny's punches to a point.
It's not going to be a KO like everyone is expecting. It took Shane, a huge WW, to stop Margarito; but with some huge, huge punches to do it. PLUS, after Margarito was declared as having plaster in his gloves, Margarito was not right for that fight. He could not possibly had the focus and attention to be in top form.
Shane beat a guy who was about 80% of his top form.
It's going to be an action packed and very, very entertaining fight, almost an opposite from the Floyd/Shane borefest.
You know Pacquiao comes for a WAR, Margarito is also going to come in for a WAR. IT'S WW3, BABY! DON'T GO TO THE RESTROOM, DON'T BLINK, IT'S A SLUGFEST FROM START TO FINISH. I believe it will to 10-12 rounds, Margarito's chin is too big for the much smaller Pacquiao to KO.
Chris Margaritos last fight wasn't that exciting....Matter fact it wasn't exciting at all.
Manny is a great fighter, he will fight anybody..... heck, even Bob Arum himself
Another KO victory for Pacman before 5 rounds. Go Pacman for 8th title.
Losed of Margarito to Mosley will not be a credible basis that it will be an easy fight for Manny Pacquiao. I agree with anonymous that time Margarito was not 100% focus physically and mentaly because of that illegal handwrapped scandal. On Nov. 13, we will see different Margarito who already regain his composure and well motivated fighter. This will be a really hard fight for Pacquiao which is lot different from Hatton, Dela Hoya, Cotto and Clotey. Margarito's weight and height advantage will be a big factor in this fight. This fight is a big challenge to Roach how and what game plan he will create for Pacquiao to win this fight.
I wish that this fight will not duplicate Carlos Ortiz vs Gabriel Flash Elorde fight that our fighter losed because of too much weight and height discripancy.
If Margarito did not have this tainted gloves on his past, This sure enough is a good fight. Both are offensive boxers. Both are going to throw a lot of punches. Maragrito is literally bigger and Pacman is going up again in weigth. WATCH OUT his critics will say it a catchweight. EVen so, pacman is still going up in weight. Margarito will 151 but he'll be a lot bigger on the night of the fight. I also do not like what DE LA HOYA said about banning Margarito for life. He did his time. What the difference with fighting wtih a loaded gloves and fighting while your on steroid. You are going to hit harder because you have an advantage. You can still kill your opponent if you are hitting him harder than you supposed to. Is it the same thing with Floyd with his xylocaine. Since he can not feel his hands, he can throw hard punches without worrying about his hands. And Mosley, even Vargas who fought De LA HOYA. should they be BANNED TOO?
You wouldn't be saying that if somebody attempted to murder you.
Margo taller, bigger, perhaps stronger and being trained by one of the best Mexican/American trainer. Advantage Margarito's team. Disadvantage by slow delivery of power punches and has the habit of projecting punches to the targets.
Pacman, smaller, shorter perhaps not as strong as Margo, but delivers faster punches in bunches to all directions coming from all angles. Advantage Pacquiao when speed, combination in succession , footwork and stamina are applied during the fight. Disadvantage by being short and when over reaching when delivering punches.
Pacquiao could be knockout in the 2nd round.
Margarito could be knockout in the 5th round
If it goes to 12 rounds, Pacquiao is going to win by decision.
the manager of margarito had stated that thier secret weapon against the pacman is justin fortune, pacman former trainer who trained him vs solis and was later fired by roach. margaritos manager further stated that fortune is on margaritos team now and willing to train pacman for free just so he could get even with roach and the pacman. let us see how these things will play out in nov 13.
Pacquiao by 11th round stoppage. Accumulation of punches will do the job for the later rounds.
Im on the fence with this one....Accumulation you say? hmmm
Exciting toe to toe fight to watch. will be fight of the year for 2010 only if no knockout happen in the first few rounds. This weight is very dangerous for Pacquiao, coz he may not be able to carry his speed and power to go along with it and if thats the case, its going to be a long night for him. Conversely, for Margairto if the report was correct that without plaster of paris in hand wraps, his punches seems to be like girls punches, its going to be a long nite for him as well. Margarito has a slight advantage due to Pacquiao is known as the Mexicutioner and Margarito is really motivated to knock him out in front of Mexican audience.
Don't care about that Pedman drama, we just want Margo to beat the hell of this showoff EGOCENTRIC midget that plays goody goody two shoes to be liked. This will not happen anywhere but on his place. Margarito needs to understand that he makes fun of Mexico everytime he goes to his country after beaten Diaz, Morales, Barrera and surviving JMM- by this suspected HGH user. Therefore we demand of MargoCHIN to apply the GOLDEN rule; live by the sword die by the sword, if not expect more expectacle from him and huevos huggers of him.
Wee Heed, shut the f*ck up!!! You sour loser!!! Your just a pitiful low-life son of a b!tch who don't deserve a daily supply of oxygen!!
This will be a tough fight for MP. Margarito is capable of matching punch output of MP. He actually threw 1700+ punches vs MP's 1200+ against the same opponent Clottey. Margarito is like a bigger Juan Manuel Marquez. Its going to be a slugfest. Let's stop the all the hating here, just enjoy the fight!
to all pachaters:
DON'T LIKE IT, THEN DON'T WATCH IT, BUT I DOUBT IT...
Manny will fight anybody ... even the people in sanitarium ... he will fight the Anacondas in Africa ... Manny loves to fight....
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