Roach says Margarito a second option
Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has announced that Antonio Margarito was only a replacement for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Obviously, I wanted Mayweather, but this guy (Antonio Margarito) is the second best guy out there. I was keen on a third bout against Juan Manuel (Marquez) also. I just want to shut the fighter up and a third fight would do that,” Roach said recently.
Roach went on to say that he and Nacho Beristain, who trains Juan Manuel Marquez, had some issues arranging terms for the Pacquiao-Marquez fights, but that they’re “okay now.” He added that many people believe Marquez has unfinished business with Pacquiao, but that he believes that Pacquiao got the better of him. Roach said, “I know a lot of people think Juan Manuel has Manny's number but it's not so."
Margarito will have his hands full in his upcoming bout with Antonio Margarito. Margarito is 5' 11", while Pacquiao barely stands at 5' 7". Margarito also has a seven inch reach advantage, which was what originally had Roach thinking about rejecting a bout with the recently licensed fighter. "Margarito's got the muscle, yeah," Roach said. "But I don't think he can handle Manny's speed."
In this fight, Pacquiao is the heavy favourite for same reasons that Roach has expressed. Most agree Margarito will set the pace and come out slugging, but will either tire himself out or become vulnerable in the lower rounds due to lack of speed. Margarito is an aggressive fighter who, at his best, remains a wrecking force throughout the entire fight. The trouble is that so will Manny; he also possesses incredible endurance. While he won’t be able to stand up to Margarito’s power, his speed will make up for it.
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