Bandito Margarito has everything to gain, nothing to lose against Pacquiao

On January 21 of 2009, Antonio Margarito lost via ninth round TKO at the hands of Shane Mosley. It was the only time in his career he was ever stopped.

His lack of success with Mosley has been used as a gauge to predict how he will fare against Pacquiao, but there are a few significant differences that should be noted.

Prior to the Mosley fight, it was discovered by Mosley’s trainer, Nazim Richardson, that plaster of Paris objects had been inserted into Margarito’s handwraps. His hands were rewrapped, and the fight went on as scheduled.

The psychological aspect of boxing is extremely important. On that night, Margarito knew that he was in big trouble for what had just occurred. It’s a dangerous thing for any boxer to enter the ring when he isn’t focused on the task at hand. Margarito was at a very significant psychological disadvantage, and Mosley capitalized fully.

The boxer was suspended for fighting in the United States for one year before being denied a license by the California State Athletic Commission.

Texas, which had already been selected as the state that Pacquiao – Margarito would take place, granted Margarito’s appeal for a license.

Pacquiao has stated that he believes that Margarito knew that he had the little surprises in his handwraps. Most boxing fans agree with Pacquiao’s opinion.

Now that Margarito is set to face Pacquiao on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium, he has everything to gain.

The much bigger man will be physically and mentally prepared, and he will give it everything he has in his attempt to upset the Pound-for-Pound king. He will undoubtedly consider a win over the world’s greatest fighter to be his first step toward redemption.

Dale Pippin of Seligman believes that Margarito’s size and power could create problems for Pacquiao.

“He could beat Pacquiao. He’s a lot bigger, and he has a puncher’s chance,” Pippin said.

Margarito is known to have a granite chin, and good power. He’ll most likely come to the ring weighing at least 10 lbs more than the Pacman.

It would be foolish for any pundit to neglect to factor Margarito’s height, reach, toughness and mental and physical conditioning into the equation. He's going to want a win, and he's going to want it badly.

A multitude of great fighters have come to the ring fully confident that they had everything it would take to beat the Filipino warrior, only to be completely overwhelmed by Pacquiao’s speed, power and angles.

Margarito’s resilience and willingness to slug toe-to-toe should make for an exciting fight, but whether he can make it a competitive fight for more than a few rounds remains a question.

Source: Examiner.com

Antonio Margarito Training Tough in Phase One of Camp

Three-time world champion Antonio Margarito is running up the mountains in San Bernardino, Ca. in his first phase of training for the mega fight against Manny Pacquiao on November 13.

"Margarito goes straight up - no trails - he runs through brambles and bushes," said chief trainer Robert Garcia today.

Garcia said he drives Margarito to Mount Baldy, elevation 4,193 feet, in San Bernardino County.

"We need strong legs to beat Pacquio," Garcia said. "Antonio runs up the mountain for a hour, returns and then we're off right away to the El Monte Gym which is nearby. There, Antonio goes into a hard workout - mitts, then heavy bag, jump rope, speed bag, It's a long, hard workout. No sparring - at least, not yet."

Garcia said Margarito will break camp at the El Monte Gym at the end of this week and then begin phase two of training in Oxnard, Calif.

"Margarito will spar for six weeks beginning next week," said Garcia. "This is our game plan and we are right on schedule."

Pacquiao vs. Margarito on November 13 is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. Pacquiao vs. Margarito will be available on HBO Pay Per View. For the latest event updates, log into Toprank.com

Source: boxingscene.com

Pacquiao practices game plan vs Margarito

MANILA, Philippines - With the arrival of coach Freddie Roach on Sunday (Sept. 19), the Team Pacquiao training group in Manila is complete.

From here on, they will watch over Manny's preparation for the fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Also in town from the US are fitness coach Alex Ariza, 2 very tall sparring partners, Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, and local coaches Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

The group will train in Manila the next couple of days before moving up to Baguio City.

Roach says Manny needs to be in tip top condition to beat Margarito.

On the first day of training, it was all business and very serious.

Today was their first mitt session, and one could immediately see the great connection between the coach and his ward.

Roach and Pacquiao did 7 rounds in the mitts, with no rest in between.

Coach was quite pleased with Manny's starting condition.

"Very good , he's got the game plan already in mind. He knows the angles we have to use against this guy, knows he has to stay away from the right hand," Roach said.

Sparring will start next week, and both Tapia and Medina promise they will give Pacquiao the work he needs to get ready for the taller and bigger Margarito.

"I'll give him power and just go in and give him the hard work, that pressure, you know, that Margarito has," says Tapia.

"This is sparring and I'm gonna make him pay up and get prepared for a very hard fight," says Medina.

Aside from Medina and Tapia, 2 more sparring partners will be coming in, one of them, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Pacquiao worked out almost 2 hours, then did a quick change to attend to duties in Congress.

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com

Pacman training goes full blast

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao made a lot of noise yesterday, the type of noise champions should be making when they gear up for a big fight.

For seven rounds, Pacquiao pounded the mitts with his chief trainer Freddie Roach, fired away at the heavy bag, worked the double-end and made the speed ball sound like a jackhammer at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City.

Officially, it was the first day of workout for Pacquiao, even if he’d been to the same gym at least twice last week, and at the oven-hot gym in General Santos City the other day. There’ve been morning runs for almost two weeks now.

It’s safe to say that Pacquiao isn’t taking his Nov. 13 fight with Antonio Margarito lightly.

“He’s not underestimating his opponent. He’s taking things seriously,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, during their quick trip to the House of Representatives right after the two-hour workout at the spacious gym.

Koncz said there’s more than enough time considering that the fight is eight weeks away.

Roach flew in the other day with a couple of sparring partners, and according to Koncz, the celebrated trainer was surprised at how Pacquiao moved on top of the ring, and hit the mitts like he’s never stopped hitting them.

“Freddie was really surprised after the seven rounds with the mitts with Manny. He said it was like Manny’s been training for weeks now. Well actually he is. He’s been playing basketball, too and that kept him in shape,” said Koncz.

From the gym, Pacquiao gave Roach a brief tour of Congress and showed him his office.

Last week, Pacquiao said he weighs around 150 to 151 lb, meaning there’s nothing much to worry about when it comes to the 151 lb catchweight as he disputes the vacant WBC super-welterweight (154) crown with Margarito.

Koncz said Pacquiao will continue to train in Manila until he leaves on Wednesday evening, with the entire team, for Baguio City. Pacquiao may skip Thursday’s morning run then report to the gym in the City of Pines in the afternoon.

They’re all in, including strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

While in Baguio, Pacquiao will set his duties as a congressman aside even if he may continue to run his office through the wonders of technology. Then after a month or so, it’s on to Los Angeles for the final push.

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had said that the rest of the members of the Lower House won’t mind if Pacquiao skips the sessions as he prepares for another big fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“He’s already doing the country a great service,” Belmonte said in way of excusing Pacquiao from the sessions.

Already in town to spar with Pacquiao when tapped by Roach are Glen Tapia (7-0) of the Dominican Republic and Michael Medina (24-2 with 19 KOs) of Mexico.

Also coming in soon are Vanes Martirosyan of Armenia and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, of Mexico.

Source: philstar.com

Photos: Manny Pacquiao Trains With Roach For Margarito

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao training at the Elorde Gym in Manila's Quezon city in the Philippines for his WBC super welterweight title fight against Margarito Antonio at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 13. Trainer Freddie Roach will have three sparring on hand, undefeated welterweight Glen Tapia, light middleweight Michael Medina and welterweight Rashad Holloway.






Source: boxingscene.com

Roach gives Pacquiao a passing mark

With training camp for his upcoming title fight not yet formally on the go, Manny Pacquiao already got a passing mark from no less than trainer Freddie Roach.

Reunited with his famed boxer Monday after six long months, Roach was very satisfied with what he saw following a two-hour workout with the Filipino boxing icon at the Elorde boxing gym in Quezon City.

After doing seven rounds with the mitts, Roach came down from the ring convinced that the world’s pound-for-pound king hardly lost a step despite not being active following his unanimous 12-round decision over Joshua Clottey last March.

“We had a very good start," said Roach, who plunged outright into the ring less than 48 hours since arriving in the country Sunday.

“We didn’t rest in between rounds. Manny already knows what to do with that guy (Margarito)."

The showdown with the 5-foot-11 Margarito is set Nov. 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, giving Pacquiao and Roach at least eight good weeks to train and be in shape for the bout where the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light-middleweight title is at stake.

Training camp kicks off either on Wednesday or Thursday in the mountains of Baguio City, which will serve home for Pacquiao and his group for the next four weeks.

By mid-October, Pacquiao and Co., travel to Los Angeles, California and resume training at the Wild Card gym for the remaining weeks.

Roach came over with sparring partners Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, both of whom also worked out at the gym Monday.

Training had to be moved two hours later as Pacquiao was caught up in heavy traffic at the Southern Luzon Expressway since the boxing champion came all the way from his home in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

But the hassle hardly affected the boxer-turned congressman as he was all smiles during the workout.

Shortly after, Pacquiao admitted he’s still a bit slow and has yet to get his timing, although he expects to get better once training camp gets into full swing.

Roach said sparring session starts next week and will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Two more other sparring mates in Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are expected to arrive here in two weeks time. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Source: GMANews.tv

Playtime Over for Pacquiao as Roach, Sparmates Arrive

MANILA, Philippines – Playtime for Manny Pacquiao is over.

Top trainer Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Sunday morning from Los Angeles accompanied by a pair of mean-looking junior-middleweights who will lend a hand in Pacquiao’s buildup for the Nov. 13 showdown with Antonio Margarito.

“We’re going to train tomorrow (Monday),” Roach told the Bulletin as soon as he emerged from a throng of well-wishers and fellow passengers at the Centennial Airport.

Roach came in with Glen Tapia (from the Dominican Republic) and Michael Medina (Mexico), who will be the other half of sparring partners that would also include Vanes Martirosyan (Armenia) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Mexico).

Tapia has a 7-0 record with five knockouts, while Medina has a 24-2 mark with 19 stoppages.

“We’re looking forward to working with Manny Pacquiao,” said Tapia, who got Roach’s attention as he shadow-boxed while waiting for their hotel keys at the lobby of the New World.

Martirosyan and Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Julio Cesar Sr., are expected to hit town anytime this week in time for the start of training camp in Baguio City, according to Roach.

Roach said Rashad Holloway, who was tapped when Pacquiao revved up for Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, will be utilized once Pacquiao and the celebrated cornerman return to the familiar confines of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood in the third or fourth week of October.

Roach had wanted to proceed immediately to Baguio City but Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz said the pound-for-pound king plans to send a few more days or the rest of the week in Manila before going up to the City of Pines.

Baguio had been used by Roach and Pacquiao as training camp when they were preparing to face Miguel Cotto at around the same time last year.

Last week, Pacquiao trained briefly at the Elorde Gym on Del Monte Ave. in Quezon City before returning to General Santos City for a brief R&R.

Already in the country since last week is Alex Ariza, the revered conditioning coach and nutritionist of Pacquiao.

Source: mb.com.ph