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.