Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday stood on the dais inside the Rodeo Room at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel. Some 30 reporters jostled in, trying to get close enough to hear him.
When asked if he believes Antonio Margarito when he says he didn't know his hand wraps were loaded with plaster inserts prior to his January 2009 knockout loss to "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Pacquiao said he did not.
"Of course, he knows that," Pacquiao said. "He's just making some alibis for some reason."
Just to be sure, Pacquiao was asked if he's saying a fighter has to know when his wraps contain an illegal substance.
"Of course, exactly, exactly. ... My belief is, he knows that," Pacquiao said.
But Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) is the forgiving type, which is one reason why he'll be squaring off with Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) for a vacant super welterweight title Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"It's unfair to Margarito to not give him a chance, one more chance," said Pacquiao, a recently elected congressman in his native Philippines. "He's just human and he made a mistake."
All concerned parties were on hand to formally announce the Top Rank Inc. event that will be distributed on HBO pay-per-view. Shortly after Pacquiao let his feelings about the hand-wrap issue be known, Margarito was pushed for a response.
"I don't care what anybody says," said Margarito, looking somewhat disgusted. "This is the present now. Let's get ready to fight."
Another reason the fight is taking place is because the state of Texas last week issued Margarito a license after Margarito was denied a license by the California State Athletic Commission, which revoked his license after the hand-wrap ordeal, on Aug. 18.
"It's behind me," said Margarito, 32. "The people still believed in me, the (Texas) commission still believed in me. It's a good step for my career."
Margarito, a former welterweight champion, said what better way than a fight with Pacquiao to re-establish himself. He's fought once - he beat Roberto Garcia in May in Mexico - since the Mosley fiasco.
"I like the fact that I'm getting Manny Pacquiao - the best fighter in the world - to prove once again the kind of fighter I am," said Margarito, of Tijuana.
The fight will be contested at a catch-weight of 151 pounds, three under the limit. Margarito, at 5-foot-11, is 4
"He's bigger and taller and we know he has the power; he's strong," the 31-year-old Pacquiao said. "I also believe I can study hard, his style, and work on his advantages."
A fighter typically is allowed to have one team member monitor the hand-wrapping of his opponent. Pacquiao said he's put in a request to have two team members watch Margarito's wrapping the night of the fight.
Source: http://www.presstelegram.com
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