By Dave Lahr: With about a month and a half to go before the Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KO’s) vs. Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO’s) bout at the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, Margarito is looking totally ripped to shreds. This has got to be the best shape that Margarito has been in since he wiped out Miguel Cotto two years in July 2008. Margarito looks in such good shape, I almost feel sorry for his opponent Pacquiao. I think Margarito is going to chop him up in the same way he did Kermit Cintron and Cotto, only I think it’s going to be easier for Margarito because Pacquiao is going to come right at him and try to trade.
Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao boxing news
Roach: “I would never take a fight which I think my fighter couldn’t win” – Does that mean he cherry picks for Pacquiao?
By Dave Lahr: Trainer Freddie Roach made a starting revelation about his habit of picking out opponents for his fighters. In an article at Philstar.com, Roach says “I would never take a fight which I think my fighter couldn’t win.” Very interesting. Does that mean that Roach cherry picks opponents for his fighter Manny Pacquiao? I mean, if you never take a fight that you don’t think your fighter can win, then doesn’t that kind of mean that Roach is cherry picking? I guess that would explain why Pacquiao still hasn’t fought Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams. Pacquiao for some reason hasn’t fought those guys. Instead. he’s taken on Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, and Joshua Clottey recently.
Arum expects Pacquiao-Margarito to sell 60,000 to 70,000 tickets
By Dan Ambrose: In the latest boxing news, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum expects his November 13th fight card with Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito to sell between 60,000 and 70,000 tickets, according to Steve Kim at Doghouseboxing.com The tickets for the Pacquiao-Margarito bout are already on sale, and Arum says that they’re going fast. The bout will be taking place at the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas.
Ariza doesn’t think Margarito will last more than eight rounds against Pacquiao
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, thinks Pacquiao will be too fast and too strong for Antonio Margarito on November 13th. In an article by writer Ronnie Nathanielsz at www.inquirer.net, Ariza says “Once we are done preparing Manny… for fight night, I don’t see Margarito lasting more than eight rounds. I really don’t. I don’t think he’ll be able to take Manny’s power. And as far as Margarito pushing him, I think it’s going to be Manny pushing him.” I’m not sure when Ariza became so good at picking apart fights, but I think it really helps that Pacquiao is facing a guy that many boxing fans think is totally shot.
Who can Shane Mosley fight now? Forget Pacquiao and Cotto
By Dan Ambrose: It would be kind to say that Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KO’s) has underperformed in his last two fights. Mosley, 39, lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by a 12 round decision in May, and then on September 18th, Mosley fought to a boring 12 round draw with Sergio Mora. That was one of the dullest fights I’ve seen in quite some time, and Mosley looked slow, lethargic and old. Bob Arum, the head of Top Rank, isn’t interesting in matching Mosley up with his fighters Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.
Is the Pacquiao-Margarito card worth purchasing?
By Chris Williams: I’m looking over the November 13th Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito card and I can’t say it’s got me eager to dump $55 on it, when most of the fights on the card appear to be huge mismatches starting with the main event between Margarito and Pacquiao. I know Pacquiao probably won’t be fighting too much longer, but I’m not much into paying big bucks to see him beat up on guys that look as horrible as Margarito has looked in his last two fights.
Roach finally admits that Pacquiao isn’t ready for Mayweather bout
By Dave Lahr: I never thought I’d see the day when Freddie Roach would come clean about his fighter Manny Pacquiao not being ready to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. Well, here it is straight from the horse’s mouth in an article by Ronnie Nathanielsz at inquirer.net: Roach says “I would like to see him [speaking about Pacquiao] get a couple of more fights, then get Mayweather Jr., and get out of there.” There it is, folks. Roach is admitting that Pacquiao isn’t ready to face Mayweather Jr.
When will Pacquiao fight someone coming off a significant win?
By Chris Williams: I’ve noticed that many of Manny Pacquiao’s recent opponents during the past couple of years have either been coming off of a terrible loss or had recently been beaten at the time he fought them. Maybe it’s just coincidence that Pacquiao keeps getting matched up with guys that have been pounded on by other fighters leading up to his fights with them, but I think a little more effort needs to be made to find opponents for Pacquiao that are actually fighting well and not getting the stuffing beaten out of them before he fights them.
Roach wants Pacquiao to fight a couple more times and then take on Mayweather Jr. before retiring
By Eric Thomas: If trainer Freddie Roach has his way, Manny Pacquiao will fight a few more times and then wrap up his boxing career with a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao, 31, is taking on former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito on November 13th at the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, in a fight that the boxing public has thus far failed to get excited about.
Roach thinks Pacquiao-Margarito will be competitive for only four rounds
By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach thinks Antonio Margarito will only be good for four rounds before Pacquiao gets to him with his speed and starts to take the fight out of him. In an article at Philstar.com, Roach says “We’ll see a very competitive first four rounds. 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.”