It might not be the fight most boxing fans want to see but recent elected Filipino Congressman Manny Pacquiao — who happens to also be the world's best pound-for-pound prizefighter — says he can' wait to step in the ring against the Antonio Margarito, the Tijuana Tornado and a former welterweight champion.
"I know it's going to be a great fight with a lot of action," said Pacquiao during an August 31 press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel. "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 aggressive fighters and should give boxing fans their money's worth, when they square off on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, according to many of the boxing pundits following the pre-fight hype.
Margarito's trainer, Robert Garcia, went farther than most observers, saying that he expects his man to come out on top.
"Margarito is going to come in and surprise the world," said Garcia. "Pacquiao is the legend, but we're going to make history."
Margarito said 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 promoter Top Rank gave him the opportunity to face Pacquiao, who is the biggest attraction in the fight game these days.
"I've been asking for this fight for a long time," said Margarito, who has not fought in the U.S. 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 U.S. on August 30 to embark on a media tour promote the fight. The fighters went from Southern California to New York, and then on to Dallas.
The fight will be set at a limit of 151-pounds and put the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight title on the line. The title became vacant when Sergio Martinez decided to move up in weight rather than make a defense.
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 chief executive officer Bob Arum. "Nobody has even come close."
This is the first time Pacquiao will be juggling his schedule as a member of Congress in the Philippines and his life as a world-class boxing champion. He has said that he will train inside the compound of the House of Representatives in Batasan Complex in Quezon City if he has to in order to meet all of his obligations.
"What I need is time management," Pacquiao said. " believe I can do everything I just need to focus on what I'm doing."
The issue of whether Margarito knew or unknowingly wore illegal hand wraps before his bout against Mosley in 2009 has made for ongoing speculation among the boxing press and public. Members of Pacquiao's team and executives of Top Rank took the opportunity of the recent press conference to ask everyone to 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.
"There wasn't a shred of evidence [against Margarito]," according to Arum.
Pacquiao nevertheless said that he wants someone to watch how Margarito's hands are wrapped before the two step into the ring.
A representative of Margarito's team said that request can be accommodated.
"For all I care, [Pacquiao's trainer] Freddie Roach can wrap my fighter's hands," said Margarito's trainer. "I know he'll do a good job."
Joseph Pimentel is a writer for Asian Journal.
AJPress photo by Joseph Pimentel.
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