BEVERLY HILLS – It may not be the fight most boxing fans want to see but when asked about his thoughts on facing the Tijuana Tornado Antonio Margarito, Philippine congressman and the world’s best pound-4-pound boxer Manny Pacquiao simpered, admitting he can’t wait to step in the ring against the former welterweight champion.
"I know it’s going to be a great fight with a lot of action," said Pacquiao during a press conference announcing the fight at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 31. "Margarito’s fight style is aggressive. He’s stronger and bigger than me and I know we’ll train hard and give a good show to the fans."
If styles make fights, the bout between Pacquiao and Margarito should live up to expectations. Both guys are forward and aggressive fighters and should give boxing fans their moneys worth, according to many of the boxing pundits in attendance.
Margarito’s trainer Robert Garcia also expects a great fight, with his man coming up on top.
"Margarito’s going to come in and surprise the world," said Garcia, who also trains Pinoy boxers Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire. "Pacquiao is the legend but we’re going to make history."
Margarito added that he’s never been more motivated for a fight. After serving a one-year suspension and having his boxing licensed revoked and denied in California recently, Margarito is just glad the Texas State Athletic Commission granted him a license and Top Rank for giving him the opportunity to face the world’s best pound-4-pound boxer.
"I’ve been asking for this fight for a long time," said Margarito, who has not fought in the US since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps before a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. "Everything that has happened is in the past. We’re now in the present. It’s time to show everyone that I’m still good."
Pacquiao arrived to the US on Monday to embark on a media tour in the US to promote his upcoming fight against Margarito at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on November 13. The two of them will head to New York on Wednesday; attend the Dallas Cowboys exhibition game on Thursday, before concluding the three-city tour at Cowboys Stadium on Friday.
The fight will be at a catch weight of 151-pounds and for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Middleweight title, which became vacant when Sergio Martinez decided to move up in weight rather than defend the title.
With the move up to middleweight, Pacquiao will be going for an unprecedented eighth world title in as many divisions.
"That’s unheard of," said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. "Nobody has even come close."
"It would be a big honor (if I won an eighth title) and it would make boxing history," said Pacquiao.
For the Philippines’ new congressman, this is the first time he’ll be juggling his schedule as a public servant and a world-class boxing champion. He said if he has to, he would train inside the compound of the House of Representatives in Batasan Complex, Quezon City.
"What I need is time management I believe I can do everything I just need to focus on what I’m doing," said Pacquiao.
Hand wraps
The issue of whether Margarito knew or unknowingly knew he had on illegal hand wraps before his bout against Mosley in 2009 that led to his one year suspension again surfaced during the press conference, and members of Team Pacquiao and Top Rank bashed members of the media and asked them to just drop the subject.
"He’s served his suspension. It’s over with," said Pacquiao advisor Mike Koncz after bashing the media for criticizing the bout between Pacquiao and Margarito.
Arum added, "There wasn’t a shred of evidence [against Margarito]."
Pacquiao believes that Margarito should have known what was in his hand wraps and said before their fight on Nov. 13, he wants someone to watch how Margarito’s hands are wrapped.
When told about Pacquiao’s insistence to have someone watch Margarito have his hands wrapped Garcia, Margarito’s trainer, said, "For all I care, Freddie Roach can wrap my fighter’s hands. I know he’ll do a good job." (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)
Source: http://www.asianjournal.com
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