Antonio Margarito doubts Manny Pacquiao’s chin
Antonio Margarito doesn’t think Manny Pacquiao will be able to stand up to his punches.
Writer John Martinez caught up with the 'Tijuana Tornado', who was training for his upcoming November 13 title bout with Pacquiao. He was handed some compelling reasons in favour of Margarito to win.
"Pacquiao won't stand up to my punches," Margarito reasoned. "He's been shook by smaller fighters than me and he will find out the hard way that his punches won't hurt me."
The two will go 12 rounds at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Pacquiao is a heavy favourite, but Top Rank chief Bob Arum said that betting figures don’t correspond to Margarito’s chances.
Margarito’s trainer Robert Garcia agreed, saying, "I know what I've got in Antonio Margarito. He's a fighter's fighter. He comes to not just work, but to improve on what he has been learning since training camp has started."
Offering a sneak preview of things to come, Garcia added, "Antonio isn't going to be the same pressure fighter from before [the Pacquiao fight]. He’s going to be a pressure fighter that applies his will smarter and with more patience and defence."
By most accounts, including one made by Ring Magazine analyst Doug Fischer, Margarito has been training with rare focus and determination in Oxnard, California. Fischer reported that he appears to share a genuine bond with trainer Garcia, hired
just a year ago, and that the new chemistry may have lasting implications in the upcoming bout.
Freddie Roach and Pacquiao have experienced their share of difficulties in Baguio City preparing for the fight, with Pacquiao’s political duties and lack of focus impeding on valuable training time.
Arum recently traveled to Baguio City to see Manny spar and was unusually sceptical following an initial viewing session. A second session lightened him up, however, and convinced him Pacquiao would be ready to win his eighth-division world title.
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