Pacquiao-Margarito bout: How boxing experts see it

MANILA, Philippines – Most boxing fans would love to see the fleet-footed Manny Pacquiao win against Mexican “giant” Antonio Margarito. But how would he do it? Does he really have the right tools to beat the Tijuana Tornado?

Here’s how boxing experts think how the fight would go in the modern-day David and Goliath clash.

Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
Manny, with that speed and his punching power and his ring smarts against a much slower opponent, at some point, you know, gets the job done.

Kevin Cunningham, trainer of boxing champ Devon Alexander
Manny Pacquiao has too much hand speed. I mean, he has superior hand speed and good foot movement. I think that he will outbox the bigger Antonio Margarito and that he will win a 12-round decision.

Steve Farhood, Showtime boxing analyst
This one could be tough for Pac-Man. He just might hit the bigger Margarito until he can't hit him anymore, and then fade in the late rounds. Nonetheless, Pacquiao should win on points. Manny's a fighter with limitations, not a miracle-worker, so don't expect fireworks this time.

Thomas Hauser, SecondsOut Boxing News
Margarito is a big strong guy. He takes a pretty good punch, he hits hard and Manny is going to have to walk through some difficult territory in this fight.

Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports
This fight comes down to one thing: Speed. Manny Pacquiao has it and Antonio Margarito does not. Margarito is tough, he hits hard and he's expert at putting on pressure. If Margarito is somehow able to corner Pacquiao or pin him on the ropes, it would be a very different fight, but trainer Freddie Roach will never allow that to happen.

Steve Kim, MaxBoxing.com
In a fight that will be much more competitive than most believe, I think that Manny Pacquiao wins by decision over Antonio Margarito. But that he will have to work all 36 minutes to do so.

Lance Pugmire, The Los Angeles Times
Manny Pacquiao should stop Antonio Margarito by the 10th round. Despite training camp concerns, and the fact that he is facing a height and weight disadvantage, Pacquiao's speed should overwhelm the slower former champion from Mexico, who will struggle to find the seven-division champ.

Lou DiBella, veteran boxing promoter
As much as it truly pains me to say this - because I don't think Margarito deserves this situation - I make him a very live underdog. His whole life will change if he wins, economically, physically he's much bigger and I've long concluded that Pacquiao will eventually lose to someone much bigger. With the personal appearances, TV shows and everything, I wonder if he is as fit and 100 per cent hungry as he usually is. That said, Pacquiao by a close decision but it would be no surprise if Margarito pulled an upset.

Joe Santoliquito, Ring Magazine
The Pac-Man is boxing today. There's been no fighter this decade that's been as consistently great as Manny Pacquiao. I would put Floyd Mayweather in there, if he fought more often. It doesn't matter how big or strong you are, if you're in there with Manny, chances are you're going down. As for Antonio Margarito, there's a lot of obvious questions about him: Was it the "real Margarito" we saw against Miguel Cotto? Or was the "real Margarito" the cheat who was demolished by Shane Mosley? We'll find out in this fight. I can't see Pacquiao losing. He's at an unbeatable stage of his career.

Tim Smith, New York Daily News
I was a little concerned about the height and weight differential for Manny Pacquiao, and it still may be a problem. But I think that he has the boxing skills, if he decides to use them, to overcome any disadvantage in these areas. Antonio Margarito didn't look that great in his last two fights against Shane Mosley and Roberto Garcia, so there will be considerable rust. Margarito will fight and put himself in harms way, and Pacquiao will take advantage of that. Pacquiao TKO 10.

Joe Gallagher, trainer of UK boxing champ John Murray
Margarito to win. He won't get anything off the judges and he'll have to do it like he did Miguel Cotto, but he will win.

Source: abs-cbnNews.com

Margarito's trainer no match for Roach?

By Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines – The trainers on opposite camps were former fighters who’ve been there and done that. They’re two of the best cornermen in the fight game today. Freddie Roach will be in Manny Pacquiao’s corner while Robert Garcia takes charge of Antonio Margarito’s corner when the bell rings to start the 12-round battle for the vacant WBC superwelterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this morning (Manila time).

Roach, 50, was a pro boxer from 1978 to 1986, retiring with a record of 40-13, including 15 KOs. Trained by the legendary Eddie Futch, he gained a reputation as a never-say-die warrior who went toe-to-toe against world champions Bobby Chacon, Greg Haugen and Camacho. Roach had no inkling he would later become a hero in the Philippines when he posted his last win ever in the ring over a Filipino – Arnel Arrozal in Lynwood, Washington, in August 1986.

Garcia, 35, is regarded as a ring legend in Los Angeles like Oscar de la Hoya, Sugar Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Genaro Hernandez, Bobby Chacon, Carlos Palomino, Mike Weaver, Mando Ramos and Manuel Ortiz. He turned pro at 17 in 1992 and won his first three bouts by knockout in Japan. Garcia compiled 32 straight wins and appeared invincible when he captured the vacant IBF superfeatherweight diadem on a decision over Harold Warren in Miami in 1998.

Garcia lost the crown in his third defense to Diego Corrales in 1999. Then, he was knocked out by Ghana’s Ben Tackie in the 10th and last round in Las Vegas a few months later. Garcia came back to outpoint Santos Marcos in Phoenix but was stopped by Cuba’s Joel Casamayor in a bid for the WBA throne in his next bout. Garcia retired from the ring at 26 in 2001 with a record of 34-3, including 25 KOs.

Roach has worked with at least 25 world champions while Garcia is still building up his resume, now listing former world titleholders Brian Viloria and Steven Luevano. Roach holds court at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Garcia trains at the La Colonia Gym in Oxnard outside of Los Angeles.

Both are predicting knockout wins for their wards. Roach, however, has the edge in credibility because of his track record. He said he expects the first four rounds to be explosive.

“We’ll see a very competitive first four rounds,” Roach said. “Margarito will come out attacking. Then, Manny will start breaking him down with his power and speed. He won’t be able to handle Manny’s speed. He’ll begin feeling Manny’s power and remember, he cuts easily. Manny will go on to beat him up badly. I think it’ll be over by the eighth round.”

Margarito, 32, is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Roberto Garcia for the vacant WBC International superwelterweight crown in Aguascalientes, Mexico, last May. Garcia was floored in the first round and was never in contention as the judges scored it 100-88, 99-90 and 99-89. It was Margarito’s first fight with Garcia in his corner. Margarito’s record is 38-6, with 27 KOs compared to Pacquiao’s 51-3-2, with 38 KOs. Pacquiao, 31, has won his last 12 fights, eight inside the distance, and hasn’t lost since dropping a decision to Erik Morales five years ago. If he beats Margarito, Pacquiao will set a new record by capturing his eighth world title in eight different divisions.

In a recent interview, Roach denied facing off with Garcia twice. It was reported that Garcia had chalked up two wins over Roach in opposing corners. “I only remember one fight and it was a controversial ending,” said Roach referring to Luevano’s win by disqualification over Bernabe Concepcion last year. “All I know was my boy (Concepcion) knocked out Luevano but the referee ruled the punch came after the bell ending the seventh round.”

Roach said Margarito is “limited” as a fighter and once he feels Pacquiao’s power, he’ll begin to lose heart. “We’ve covered all the bases, using sparmates to simulate what we’re anticipating from Margarito,” said Roach. “To win, Garcia’s got to change Margarito’s style and that’s not going to happen. We noticed Margarito used a little more movement in his last fight against Garcia but that won’t be enough.”

Garcia is nicknamed “Grandpa” because he was so advanced in boxing at an early age. When he was five, Garcia began studying his father Eduardo train fighters at the La Colonia gym. “By the time I was 12, guys started calling me ‘Grandpa’ because I already knew so much about boxing,” said Garcia who is Nonito Donaire’s chief strategist.

Source: philstar.com

'Manny can stay on the ropes'

By Abac Cordero

DALLAS – Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao can spend some time on the ropes.

Because this time, it will happen for a reason, unlike when he did against Miguel Cotto last year.

“I told him if he wants to go the ropes we better work on a plan to counter the attack,” said Roach, recalling some moments during the Cotto fight where Pacquiao almost voluntarily took punches from the heavy Puerto Rican.

Roach said this time, Pacquiao can lean on the ropes, draw Margarito, force him to commit, and then throw the counter.

“It’ll be for a reason this time. If he goes to the ropes, it’s for the counter shot and we can knock him out with that counter shot,” said the four-time Trainer of the Year.

A possible scenario, he added, is Margarito throwing his left or right uppercuts while Pacquiao has his backs against the ropes.

“He steps out with his left foot to throw the right uppercut, and then he goes the other way he’s gonna throw the left uppercut,” he said.

It’s when Pacquiao can land a very good counter just as Margarito is about to throw some of his own.

Source: philstar.com

‘Tornado’ Margarito says he’ll blow PacMan away

BY ED C. TOLENTINO

Much like his nickname “Tornado,” Mexican Antonio Margarito loves to huff, puff and blow away his opponents with vicious haymakers. Since turning professional in 1994, Margarito has compiled a record of 38-6 with 27 knockouts. Margarito’s 60 knockout percentage underlines his search and destroy persona in the ring. The former two-time world welterweight champion comes to the ring offering little science in his style, preferring to rumble regardless of the consequences.

Margarito’s devil-may-care approach in the ring actually mirrors his personal life. “When you live in a border town [Tijuana], everything is always a little tougher,” said Margarito. “Everything in life is a little tougher. You have to work hard for everything you get. I think it shows in everything, especially in boxing.”

One of five children (three sisters, two brothers), Antonio Margarito Montiel was born on March 18, 1978 in Torrance, California but grew up in Tijuana. To provide food on the table, Margarito’s father sold mattresses. As a toddler, Margarito played soccer and basketball, but started developing an interest in boxing at age 8, after his father brought him to several fights.

“My father was a big boxing fan, and he took me to the fights” said Margarito. “That’s how I became interested in boxing. I started soon after that. I had 21 amateur fights, with a record of 18 wins and 3 losses.”

Margarito turned professional in January 1994, scoring a four-round decision win over Jose Trujillo. He won his first five fights before suffering his first loss in October 1994 by way of a decision loss to Victor Loyoza.
Margarito fought his first 10 fights in Tijuana before relocating to California, USA to pursue his fistic dreams. “My father doesn’t have the papers to cross the border,” said Margarito. “He has never seen me fight in person.”

Life away from Mexico was struggle early on for Margarito. He remembers one fight where he climbed the ring shortly after being informed that his brother had been murdered. As if things cannot get any worse, Margarito, owing to his size (5’11”) and fearsome punching power, was avoided like a disease by the champions in the welterweight division.

Margarito did not win a world title until March 2002, when he stopped Antonio Diaz in 10 rounds for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. Margarito lost the belt on points to Paul Williams in July 2007. Unperturbed, he became a champion again in April 2008, stopping Kermit Cintron with a debilitating body shot in the sixth round for the International Boxing Federation welter plum. Margarito added the World Boxing Association welterweight title to his collection in July 2008, when he knocked out Miguel Cotto in 11 rounds.

Just when it seemed his career was finally taking off, Margarito hit a huge roadblock in January 2009, when the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) discovered that he had tried to use tampered gloves before his title defense against American Shane Mosley. Margarito’s hands were rewrapped, but he lost his focus and was stopped in nine rounds by Mosley. Shortly after the fight, the CSAC suspended Margarito and revoked his boxing license.

Margarito’s career hit rock bottom. Banned from fighting in the US, he resurfaced on May 8 in Mexico, scoring a lackluster decision over Roberto Garcia.

Margarito was drifting into oblivion when promoter Bob Arum sought his services. When the proposed showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao fell through, Margarito emerged as a substitute foe for the Filipino. Margarito immediately sought his reinstatement in the US, but the CSAC denied his application for a boxing license. Surprisingly, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ignored the CSAC’s ruling and issued the required boxing license to Margarito.

Margarito is heading to the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas looking at the fight with Pacquiao as his ticket to redemption. Margarito is a heavy underdog, but the Mexican couldn’t care less. As Margarito puts it, he has been through hell to be intimidated by the PacMan. Margarito has his eyes fixed on winning the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight title. For the record, it will be Margarito’s second attempt to win the 154-pound crown. In September 2004, Margarito lost by technical decision to Daniel Santos in a battle for the WBO super welterweight crown. The fight was stopped in the 10th round because of a deep cut in Margarito’s right eye. Santos was ahead on points at the time of the technical stoppage and was declared the winner.

“I’m still very hungry. I’ve always wanted to be a WBC champion. Pacquiao’s a great fighter. I expect a tough fight but I’m going to win this fight,” quipped the Tijuana Tornado.

Source: manilatimes.net

Margarito true warrior, Arum warns

By Abac Cordero

DALLAS – Oscar dela Hoya. Miguel Cotto. Joshua Clottey.

Three big men Manny Pacquiao had faced. Three big men Manny Pacquiao had defeated.

Now comes Antonio Margarito, taller, heavier and maybe even better than the three who had come before him.

Bob Arum last Thursday spelled the difference.

“Oscar is the kind of fighter that when he saw how much speed Manny has, in his heart he quit,” Arum, his slow, distinct voice, told reporters at the makeshift gym of the Gaylord Texan Hotel.

“It took him eight rounds before he finally threw it in, but he quit right from the first round. Joshua Clottey did the same thing even though he lasted 12 rounds,” said the chief of Top Rank Promotions.

And Cotto?

“Miguel is the same kind of guy as Margarito. But he was able to wear Miguel down,” said Arum of his Top Rank fighters who figured in a bruising 11-round encounter in 2008.

Margarito won that one. In 2009, Pacquiao made Cotto quit in the 12th.

Does this make Margarito a tougher opponent for Pacquiao?

“This guy is no quitter,” said Arum.

“This guy is a true Mexican warrior and he’s not gonna be discouraged, he’s not gonna quit, he’s gonna be in there trying right from the beginning. Therefore it becomes a much more difficult fight.”

Arum remembered the night Margarito and Cotto clashed in Las Vegas for the WBA welterweight crown.

“The first four rounds Miguel gave him hell, and then he (Margarito) came on, turned the fight and Miguel had nothing left,” Arum said.

Pacquiao has to bring the fight to Margarito because, Arum continued, this Mexican will always be there until he’s made to quit.

“He has to fight Margarito until there’s nothing left in Margarito’s tank and it stops. Margarito is never gonna stop willingly,” he told reporters.

Source: philstar.com

Pacman's biggest test

By Abac Cordero

DALLAS – Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, firmly established as one of the greatest boxers of all time, reaches out for another place in history against a fighter trying to redeem an image once tarnished and wrapped in controversy.

Pacquiao, long considered as the most exciting fighter to come out of his generation whose exploits could range with those of the sport’s past heroes, goes for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito – probably the Filipino’s biggest and toughest challenge in a long and storied career.

Six months after a big win in the political arena, the Filipino icon returns to the boxing ring Saturday (Sunday noon in Manila) to shoot for a record eighth championship in as many weight divisions.

Last May, during the Philippine national elections, Pacquiao made history by beating a heavyweight opponent and becoming the first boxer to be elected to Congress.

When he climbs the ring at the Cowboys Stadium before an expected crowd of 60,000, he’ll be chasing history once more.

On the other corner of the ring will be Margarito – taller, bigger and supposedly stronger than all of Pacquiao’s previous opponents.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Pacquiao.

After the official weigh-in at the East end zone of the $1.2-billion football stadium, Pacquiao liked his chances even more, hinting that Margarito may have killed himself making weight.

“I’m happy coming in at 144.6 (lbs) and Margarito did not look good,” he said of his opponent, who came in at exactly 150 lbs, looking gaunt and weak he had to put his arm on his trainer getting off the stage.

Pacquiao is the only boxer with seven world titles in seven different weight classes, almost unbelievably moving up as champion in the flyweight, super-bantam, featherweight, super-feather, lightweight, light-welter and welterweight divisions.

He won his last four crowns in his last six fights, with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Only Marquez managed to last the distance, the three others suffered knockouts early, midway and late in the fight.

A victory over Margarito, almost five inches taller, and with a 73-inch wingspan as compared to Pacquiao’s 67, would cement the Filipino boxer’s status as the greatest of his era, and to some the greatest of all time.

Wise money says it’s Manny

Despite his shortness in height and reach, the 31-year-old Pacquiao, just a shade under 5-foot-7, is the overwhelming favorite in this cold November showdown.

On the eve of the fight, while it was 11 degrees outside, he was at -500, and Margarito down at +350.

he Filipino southpaw, who has floored opponents bigger than he is, was at -650 in the betting stations a month ago, meaning you need $650 just to win a hundred bucks. Even at -500, it’s no longer nice or wise to place a bet.

Pacquiao, according to Bob Arum of Top Rank, is guaranteed $15 million for this one, and when everything comes in, the boxing icon from the province of Sarangani can earn as much as $20 million.

Margarito will get the smaller share of $3 million guaranteed. Still, it is the biggest purse in his entire career. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain, knowing that a victory will put him back on top of his division.

Pacquiao trained for seven weeks for this bout, starting off in Manila then Baguio then at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. But all the distractions around him can easily take another week off in his training program.

The last two weeks in LA, however, were the hardest of all, and Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said it was enough to bring the reigning pound-for-pound champion to where he is right now, at his usual best.

The last few days at the gym it was pretty clear that Pacquiao’s speed, both with his hands and feet, is there.

Margarito, on the other hand, trained longer and harder, but may have had great difficulty making the 150-lb catchweight for the 154-lb division.

With the Mexican struggling to make weight, Pacquiao should be the stronger boxer on top of the ring.

Friday evening, as usual, Pacquiao took in a big number of visitors at his suite at the Gaylord Texan Hotel here. Saturday morning, he’d take a short walk, hear mass, and stay in until his call time at around seven in the evening.

Once he walks out of his dressing room, the Filipino champion will face a huge crowd like he’d never seen before – even more than the 51,000 that came to see his fight against Clottey – and greater expectations.

The fight, to be preceded by 10 others, including those featuring Filipinos Dennis Laurente, Richie Mepranum and Juan Martin Elorde, grandson of the legendary Filipino champion, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

The entire Filipino nation of over 90 million will stand behind Pacquiao as he battles Margarito, each one of them hoping and praying for another victory by Pacquiao, now being hailed as a possible future president.

Pacquiao has a ring record of 51 wins, three losses, two draws and 38 knockouts. He hasn’t lost a fight over the last five years, since that cold, bloody night of March 19, 2005 when he fell to Erik Morales in a 130-lb contest that went the distance.

Margarito, just months older than Pacquiao, has a ring record of 38 wins with six losses, a no-contest and 27 knockouts. He was knocked out by Shane Mosley in January last year, and just minutes to the fight he was caught with illegal hand wraps.

The native of Tijuana, actually a stablemate of Pacquiao’s at Top Rank, served a long suspension, and only managed to return to the ring in May this year, with a 10-round picnic against Roberto Garcia in Mexico.

But all that is water under the bridge now.

After this one, granting that he wins, Pacquiao can start weighing his options. He can either retire and focus on politics, chase the elusive fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., or face someone else in May.

“It’s his call,” Arum was quoted as saying the other day.

But that’s getting ahead of this fight, the biggest ever for Pacquiao.

Source: philstar.com

Pacquiao goes for history tonight

By: Brad Cooney

He has already rewritten the history books. He's captured 7 world titles in as many weight divisions. Manny Pacquiao will attempt to capture an 8th world title tonight when he takes on former world champion Antonio Margarito. There has been a lot of distractions and side show events leading up to this fight. The camp for Pacquiao in the Philippines did not go as well as coach Freddie Roach had wanted it to. Manny was not as focused this time around, but he seemed to have hit back on stride late in the camp. Roach went public several times expressing his disappointment with the camp. He did however change his tune for the better in the closing days of camp.

Antonio Margarito will earn about 3 million dollars for this fight. He is a man that's been given a second chance in boxing, but his behavior as of late has not been very appreciative. Recently he was captured on video with sparring partner and top ranked fighter Brandon Rios mocking Freddie Roach. As most of us know, Freddie Roach suffers from Parkinson's disease and has visible tremors, especially when he gets tired. Rios and Margarito both were captured on video shaking their heads and imitating Roach' tremors. This spread across the world like wild fire, and millions of fans were immediately disgusted and appalled. Margarito and Rios both have since apologized. Even with the apologies, the fans are still extremely upset with what both men did and have let it be known in boxing forums, Pacland, and on radio call in shows. Roach obviously is not happy with what they did, and neither is Manny Pacquiao. Keeping their usual integrity, Roach nor Pacquiao have lowered themselves and are focused on the fight. With that said, I can promise you that Pacquiao has seen the video, and a few of his punches that crack Margarito on the nose will have Freddie Roach's name written on them.

Manny tipped the scales at a very light 144lbs and Margarito came in at 150lbs. Tony will more than likely re-hydrate to over 160lbs when the bell rings so Pacquiao will have to be mindful of this. It's a huge weight disparity, so Pacquiao will have to rely on his speed to get his victory.

LISTEN to Podcasts with Manny Pacquiao, Roy Jones Jr, and more. Roy Jones chimed in with his prediction on the fight.

Mississippians that I have spoken to mostly want Pacquiao to win this fight. There is a pretty big Hispanic population in Mississippi and the majority of them are pulling for Margarito. I did speak to one Hispanic boxing fan yesterday that even with seeing the video of Margarito mocking Roach is pulling for the Tornado. Hector Hernandez, an amateur fighter from Jackson explained, "What Tony did on the video was wrong, but he apologized. He is Mexican, my blood and I will not turn my back on him. He will win this fight for Mexico." I also spoke with a Manny Pacquiao fan, Tom Johnson of Canton, MS. Johnson is appalled by what he saw in the video, " I wanted Pacman to win the fight, and now after seeing the video I want him to hurt Margarito!" There is no love lost between Pacquiao fans and Margarito fans, which should provide an electric atmosphere in Dallas, and across the world in hundreds of thousands of living rooms.

Tonight in Dallas, Manny Pacquiao will attempt to capture an 8th world title. A victory over Margarito will put him somewhere in outer space.

Photo: HBO
Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao – Margarito: Did I get it right?

By: Albert Alvarez

At the weigh in for the Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito clash brought forth no surprises. At least no surprises to me that is.

Many fight fans were some what surprised to have seen the Pac-Man weigh in at 144 pounds. Margarito as expected, weighed in at 150 pounds. Most fans believed that Pacquiao would weigh in at no more than 148 but no less than 146, so the 144 pounds that Pacquiao did weigh in at surprised a few. It didn’t surprise me at all, the reason why it didn’t surprise me was because during an episode of the 24/7 series, Pacquiao said himself that he did not want to lose any speed so he did not want to come in too heavy. I also heard that Manny Pacquiao has been eating good all week long so I for one do not expect Manny to weigh in tonight no more than 150 pounds.

Margarito on the other hand will come in tonight pushing at least 162 pounds. Now is the extra weight on his frame enough to win Margarito the biggest fight of his life? It could be, but my heart tells me that it won’t be. If Margarito wins this fight, Margarito would have done so by displaying better skill, stronger will, and a killers heart. Because truth be told, weight does not win fights. Sure it is very true that in many cases weight can dictate the way a bout will go, but in this case like in so many other cases the man with better skill, stronger will, and the heart of a lion will win the fight.

On to the tale of the tape, no not the measurements or the reach, or wins and losses, but to the tale of this infamous tape. Brandon Rios, Robert Garcia, and Tony Margarito poking fun at Freddie Roach. Say it isn’t so, how could a man who is in desperate need of a massive makeover be involved in such a disgusting act? A man who is coming off of a year long suspension for suspicion of loading his wraps, a man who is trying to clean up his image should not be acting this way. Margarito has gone on to say that in the video that shows him trembling was not intended to poke fun at Freddie, the act was to tell Freddie Roach that he is not afraid of his fighter. Do you buy it? Should we buy it? Why buy something that was never for sale? Tony Margarito should have known that Floyd Mayweather Jr. also made a tape, and last time I checked, that tape didn’t go to well for Floyd. Floyd too was forced to apologize.

But now all the talk comes to an end, this is as real as it gets. Is Brandon Rios truly as obscene as he is on the screen? Do Robert Garcia and Freddie Roach really dislike one another? The answers to those questions are answered by us, the viewers. We most of the time answer our very own questions by how we decide to view the question at the time. The real questions that we desire to be answered will be answered by the two fighters that will put it all on the line tonight.

Both fighters seek victory for two completely different reasons, one for the people and by the people and for that one thing that ”Money” can not buy: Legacy. The other fighter seeks victory for himself, for redemption, for his life. For his life because a defeat tonight could terminate his life in the ring once and for all. It’s not until your back is against the wall fighting against all odds that you then discover what type of fighter you truly really are. Are you living? Or simply just existing? Lights, camera, action the brightest lights are on and the stars have taken their seats, the knock at your door telling you that you now got 10 minutes for your ring entrance is fast approaching. The time has come and this is as real as it gets.

Source: diamondboxing.com

What To Watch For In Tonight's Pacquiao-Margarito Bout

By: Adam Fusfeld

At 9 p.m. (ET) the talk ends, and the opening bell sounds. Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao's long-awaited fight begins. Here are the seven storylines you'll want to follow before laying down the $55 to see it on HBO PPV.

• Margarito's redemption: Margarito's hand-wrapping incident has been well-documented. He's said he's grateful for the opportunity to fight on such a large stage – let's see if he can make the most of it.
• Pacquiao's record: Manny Pacquiao has captured the title belt in more weight divisions – seven – than any other boxer in history. Tonight he attempts to achieve his eighth.
• Pacquiaos' distractions: To reach that eighth division belt, the Pac-man must put aside some distractions stemming from his burgeoning political career. This year he was reelected to the Filipino congress, and has made rounds on the U.S. political scene. He even took some credit for Harry Reid's re-election two weeks ago.
• The weight difference: Pacquiao started his career as a 112-pounder, and is most comfortable in the 135-140 lb. range. On the other hand, Margarito is accustomed to the 150-pound limit set for this fight, but had to cut weight quickly to get there. So while Pacquiao struggled just to get to 145, many feel Margarito looked famished at yesterday's weigh-in. By the time he rehydrates prior to the fight, Margarito could outweigh Pacquiao by more than 15 pounds.
• The reach difference: The 5-foot-11 Margarito has about 5 inches of height, and nearly seven inches of reach on his smaller opponent. Combine that height advantage with the weight disparity, and Pacquiao could have some trouble hurting his opponent.
• Speed vs. volume: Margarito is a high-volume puncher while the champ is known for his lightning quick foot and fist speed. If he uses his speed to avoid Margarito's flurry of punches, and gets inside to negate the reach difference, it'll be an easy fight for the Pac-man.
• PPV purchases: Boxing fans will take great interest in the number of Pay-Per-View purchases the fight garners. As we've noted previously, a good PPV showing could be the key to unlocking a highly-anticipated Pacquiao-Mayweather bout.

Source: businessinsider.com

Filipino champ 5-1 favorite to beat Margarito

By:  By Roy Luarca

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—Manny Pacquiao takes another bold step toward sports
immortality when he tangles with Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight crown on Saturday night (this morning in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington City.

The 31-year-old representative of Sarangani province and holder of a record seven world crowns in as many divisions will make history as the first nationally elected official to compete in a boxing championship
as soon as he trades punches with the taller and bigger boxer from Mexico.

The Philippines’ pride, despite yielding 4 1/2 inches in height, 6 inches in reach and more than 10 pounds in weight by fight night, is an overwhelming 5-1 favorite to trounce Margarito and remain the world’s pound-for-pound king.

From Yokohama, Japan, where he is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, President Benigno Aquino on Saturday said Filipinos continued to hope and to expect that Pacquiao would “bring honor” to the motherland.

“And I would like to let him know that I am among those praying for his victory,” the President said in Filipino.

Prayers will be particularly strong in the Cebu Archdiocese, where the episcopal vicar, Msgr. Esteban Binghay, has included in his Saturday and Sunday-morning Masses a prayer for Pacquiao.

“Manny’s victory will also be our victory,” Binghay said on Saturday.

Invader

The Filipino champion started as a puny 106-pounder in 1995 and went on to capture the WBC flyweight (112 lbs), International Boxing Federation super bantamweight (122), Ring featherweight (126), WBC super featherweight (130), WBC lightweight (135), International Boxing Organization junior welterweight (140) and World Boxing Organization welterweight (147) titles.

Now he is invading the 154-lbs territory, where, at 5 feet and 6 1/2 inches, he is deemed a pygmy, and at 144.6 lbs during weigh-in, severely malnourished.

So as not to sacrifice his speed and whirlwind attacks, Pacquiao will not bulk up too much and will enter the ring no heavier than 149 lbs.

The 5’11” Margarito weighed in at exactly 150 lbs—the catch weight agreed upon—but will rehydrate to over 160 lbs for the 12-round bout to be beamed all over the globe by HBO pay-per-view (PPV).

As usual, Pacquiao is not focusing on personal glory and is dedicating the fight to his country and the 96 million countrymen rooting for him back home.

Deadly with both hands

The Fighter of the Decade, who holds a 51-win, three-loss, two-draw slate spiked by 38 knockouts, is gunning for his 13th straight victory since losing to Mexican Erik Morales in 2005, when he was basically a heavy-hitting lefty.

Under the guidance of four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach, Pacquiao has become deadly with both hands, exacting vengeance over Morales twice, and opponents that included Hall-of-Fame-bound Mexicans like Oscar de La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera.

Pacquiao drew 50,994 fans to the Cowboys Stadium when he fought and beat Ghanaian Joshua Clottey last March 13.

Top Rank founder and promoter Bob Arum expects Pacquiao—with some help from the Latino fans of Margarito, who is seeking redemption after serving a yearlong ban for using a hand-wrap containing a hardening substance in a losing effort against Shane Mosley early in 2009—to draw an even bigger crowd.

Pacquiao has been guaranteed $15,000,000, which stands to increase significantly if the bout exceeds the 700,000 PPV hits posted by the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

8 or less

Roach has predicted a knockout victory for his prized ward in “eight rounds or less,” and hinted that a first-round knockout was a possibility.

Not to be outdone, Margarito’s trainer Robert Garcia predicted that Pacquiao would fall in 11 rounds.

While Pacquiao has refused to guarantee a knockout, Margarito (38-6 with 27 KOs) has said he would beat the Filipino and salvage Mexican pride.

Three other Filipinos, led by Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde, grandson of the late great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Dennis Laurente and Richie Mepranum will figure in the undercard of the 90-round card.

Elorde will fight Angel Rodriguez in a four-round super featherweight bout; Laurente, Rashad Holloway in an eight-round super lightweight encounter; and Mepranum, Anthony Villareal in an eight-round flyweight tussle.

Zyrene Parsad will sing the Philippine anthem.

Not even on TV

President Aquino will not be able to watch the Pacquiao-Margarito fight because of his “full schedule,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said in Yokohama.

On the last day of the Apec summit today, Mr. Aquino and other Apec leaders are to attend a last leaders’ retreat and a luncheon before they issue a joint declaration to cap the three-day conference.

Carandang said some Cabinet officials in the President’s delegation might watch the fight on cable TV and invite Filipinos in Yokohama to join them.

Malacañang said Mr. Aquino was to speak before the other Apec leaders at around the time of the Pacquiao-Margarito bout.

“It depends on his schedule but what I see is that he has engagements at that time,” Abigail Valte, the President’s deputy spokesperson, said over radio dzRB when asked about the probability that Mr. Aquino would miss Pacquiao’s first fight under his administration.

“We are united with our fellow Filipinos in rooting and praying for Manny to beat Margarito and bring more honor to our country,” Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said in a statement issued Saturday.

Faith

Pacquiao’s colleagues in the House of Representatives are confident that he will win because of his “strong faith in God.”

“His strength, months of training and belief in the Filipino spirit of dependence on God will lead him to victory,” said House Deputy Speaker Ma. Isabelle Climaco.

Rep. Simeon Datumanong said Pacquiao was fully prepared for the fight—“physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”

Said Rep. Roilo Golez, a boxer in his younger days at the Philippine Navy: “I believe that with Pacquiao’s speed, punching power, stamina and ability to deliver nonstop, vicious combinations, he will KO Margarito in six rounds or less. That’s assuming Margarito doesn’t run like (Miguel) Cotto or cover up like (Joshua) Clottey.” With reports from Norman Bordadora and Michael Lim Ubac in Manila; Christine O. Avendaño in Yokohama, Japan; Jhunnex Napallacan and Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas

Source: inquirer.net

Roach arrived with 2 sparring partners for Pacquiao vs Margarito

The Hall of Fame Freddie Roach, coach of Manny Pacquiao, the 7-time world champion in as many weight classes, arrived in Manila, Philippines from Los Angeles, California last Sunday early in the morning together with light middleweight Michael “Murder Man” Medina, 24 (19 KO)-2-2, and undefeated welterweight Glen Tapia, 7(5 KO)-0. According to Roach, the Pacquiao vs Margarito is a big fight and bringing in the two tall sparring partners on Pacquiao’s training camp can help them a lot.

In the Pacquiao vs Margarito, Antonio has the height and weight advantage over Manny. The 5-inches height difference and 6-inches reach advantage of Margarito will be taken away once Pacquiao manages to be at ease with taller opponents.

According to Roach they would start preparing Manny Pacquiao for his fight versus Margarito starting this Monday but Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz agreed to spend a couple more days in Manila before going to Baguio. Two days last week, Manny Pacquiao trained at the Elorde Gym on Del Monte Ave. in Quezon City before returning to his hometown in General Santos City.

Glen Tapia (The Dominican Republic) and Michael Medina (Mexico) are just half of Pacquiao’s sparmates. Joining them in a couple of weeks will be Vanes Martirosyan (Armenia) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Mexico) who is scheduled to fight Pacquiao’s previous opponent, Miguel Cotto, in the USA.

All sparring partners of Pacquiao are about 6-foot tall and have a reach advantage. They can help prepare Manny Pacquiao to stand toe-to-toe with Antonio Margarito which was scheduled to happen this November 13.

Pacquiao vs Margarito is a blessing in disguise after the Pacquiao vs Mayweather failed. Both Pacquiao and Margarito are preparing well for their upcoming bout to give the boxing fans a good fight. 9 more weeks to go and the world will stop just to watch Pacquiao vs Margarito Live Streaming, In-person or in HBO PPV.

The celebrated trainer Freddie Roach will have 7-weeks to train his fighter in the Philippines before going to Wild Card Gym in preparation for the Pacquiao vs Margarito WBC Light Middleweight Championship. They will be training in Baguio in most days and Pacquiao will be going sometimes to Manila for his sessions in Congress. In the third or fourth week of October, the Camp will be transferred to Roach’s Wild Card Gym and they will bring Rashad Holloway as addition to Pacquiao’s sparring mates.

Training in the Philippines gives good luck to Pacquiao according to Roach. They have trained in Baguio about the same time last year in preparation for Miguel Cotto and won. Prior to boxing Clottey last March, Pacquiao also trained in the Philippines which got him a UD win.

Alex Ariza, the conditioning and nutrition coach of Pacquiao arrived in the Philippines last week. He will help Manny prepare for the Pacquiao vs Margarito fight. He has been very critical in Manny’s previous fights and always sees to it that Manny is in tip-top condition prior to the fight night.

HBO's Pacquiao vs Margarito 24/7 debuts October 23

One of the most anticipated things to happen before the megafight at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium between Manny Pacquiao 51(38)-3-2 and Antonio Margarito 38(27)-6 for the vacant Super Welterweight Championship is the Pacquiao vs Margarito 24/7.

The HBO 24/7 is a 12-time Emmy Award Winning Sports Reality series that features the life and undertakings of each boxer a month before a brawl happens. The Franchise of “24/7” began in 2007 and in 2010 it was recognized by 5 Emmy Awards in Production Excellence and it is considered as the most inspiring and respected reality TV series for the sports of boxing.

According to press releases, the debut for the Pacquiao vs Margarito 24 7 will be this coming October 23, 2010 at 10:30-11:00 ET on HBO. This will be Manny Pacquiao’s fourth appearance in this reality show and it will be Margarito’s first. Congressman Manny Pacquiao, the biggest star in the sports of boxing is expected to give the fans a view of where he came from up to his boxing stardom up to his fight to become a Representative of Sarangani Province in the Philippines. It will be an intimate behind the scenes of Pacquiao’s rise to fame and fortune. On Margarito’s part, it will probably start in the prime of his career where he fought and won against the best Welterweights, then to the controversial hand-wraps prior to fighting Shane Mosley in the ring, up to his 1 year ban, then asking for license and was revoked at California and finally reinstated at Texas to fight in the mega event.

The Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 will be a four episode reality TV sports show to hype up the fans to watch the Pacquiao vs Margarito fight either live on HBO Pay-Per-View or in person at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium owned by billionaire Jerry Jones. This is the second time Manny Pacquiao will fight in this Cowboys Stadium after outclassing Joshua Clottey. It will be Antonio Margarito’s first time here.

Both Pacquiao and Margarito’s training camps will be featured in this HBO 24/7. There will be interviews of the different people behind the boxers. It is expected that Pacquiao’s consultant Michael Koncz, long-time Coach and Trainer Freddie Roach, Assistant Coach Buboy Fernandez and Conditioning Coach Alex Ariza will be focused on this fight and is expected to provide glimpse on how they made their fighter into a 100% fighting machine. Antonio Margarito’s side will also have their own plans on how to demolish Manny Pacquiao. Coach and Trainer Robert Garcia, is expected to be working full-time on studying Pacquiao moves and will be capitalizing on their advantages which is the height and reach of Margarito. Other trainers and sparring partners in the Margarito Camp will be introduced soon.

The Drama of the Pacquiao vs Margarito 24/7 will be a big difference from the Pacquiao vs Clottey Road to Dallas Series. This will be more on seeing how these two champions start as an Amateur Boxer up to the higher status by outclassing their foes.

According to HBO president Ross Greenburg, "‘24/7’ excels when there is great drama and this fight has it.  Manny Pacquiao continues to conquer new challenges in the ring and in his life, while Antonio Margarito returns to the ring having been through a very controversial episode that polarized many in the boxing community.  ‘24/7’ will examine all aspects of what has taken place since the night Antonio Margarito fought Shane Mosley.  We will chronicle the suspension handed down to Margarito and the subsequent reinstatement process.”

The Episode 2 and Episode 3 of the HBO Pacquiao vs Margarito 24 7 will be on the October 30 (Saturday) at 10:00 pm to 10:30 pm ET and on November 6 (Saturday) at 10:45 to 11:15 pm ET. The final part of the series, Episode 4, will be on November 12 (Friday) at 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm, the night before the Pacquiao vs Margarito clash. The 24/7 episodes is also available on HBO On Demand and all of these four episodes will have a couple of replay dates which can be seen at HBO.

For the Pacquiao vs Margarito Live Streaming, we will provide a link or channel on fight night so be sure to bookmark this website or visit us more often so you will be the first to know where to get the Free Pacquiao vs Margarito Live Stream.

The Press Tour of Pacquiao and Margarito

The Press Tour of one of the best boxing fights that will happen this year is going to happen. Pacquiao vs Margarito will be an all out war between two sluggers wanting to bring the victory and honor to their respective countries.

The Press Tour of Pacquiao and Margarito will start Tuesday, August 31, 2010. Saranggani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao also known as the “Pacman” together with Antonio Margarito also known as “Tijuana Tornado” will pass the red carpet to promote their upcoming November 13, 2010 fight at the Dallas Texas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. Together with Top Rank boss and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, all parties will embark on a coast-to-coast media tour to launch the publicity of Pacquiao vs Margarito world Super Welterweight (also known as Light Middleweight) Championship staring August 31. The fight on Nov 13 will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View PPV starting at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT.

The Schedule of the Press Tour

On Tuesday, August 31 at 11 am Pacific Time, Margarito and Pacquiao will be at The Beverly Hills Hotel – Rodeo Room (9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California 90210).

On Wedesday, September 1 at 11:30 am Eastern Time, Margarito and Pacquiao will be at Chelsea Piers – Pier 60 (23^rd St. and The Hudson River, New York, New York 10011). This Press Tour is open to the Public.

And on Friday, September 3 at 11:30 am Central Time, Margarito and Pacquiao will be at the Cowboys Stadium – East Plaza (900 Easl randol Mill Rd., Arlington, Texas 76011). Dallas Cowboys Stadium owner Jerry Jones will be in Attendance and this Press Tour is also open to the public.

What are you waiting for? Mark your calendar so you won’t miss the chance to see Pacquiao, Margarito and all the others in their publicity of the upcoming battle.