Sugar Ray sees Pacquiao victory -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard predicts an easy win by Manny Pacquiao over Antonio Margarito in their planned November 13 showdown.

“He’ll just overwhelm Margarito,” Leonard told Fanhouse, noting that Pacquiao’s speed and power will be too much for the Mexican to handle. “It’s not a mismatch, but Pacquiao dominates (this fight).”

Leonard is also a multi-division titleholder like the seven-division champion Filipino, having been world champion at welterweight, super-welter, middle, super-middle and light-heavy.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is in the process of finalizing all the details in connection with the fight that will be for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super-welterweight crown.

Not even Pacquiao’s demand that they clash at a catch weight of 150 lbs is an issue, according to Arum, who said Margarito will not oppose it. The super-welter division has a limit of 154 lbs.

The venue remains the only thing that is keeping Arum and Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Mike Koncz busy these days.

Arum continues to bat for Las Vegas as site, but oil-rich Abu Dhabi is very keen as well. The wealthy Mexican city of Monterrey and Dallas are also in the running to play host to Pacquao’s much-awaited ring return.

Still, Leonard said it is a showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather that tickles his fancy.

“I want to see and the world wants to see Pacquiao-Mayweather, without question,” said the 54-year-old Leonard, who wound up his sterling career with a 36-3-1 card with 25 knockouts.

“Even me, as a fight fan now, would love to see the fight take place and hopefully it comes into fruition pretty soon,” added Leonard, best known for his memorable battles with Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler.

Source: mb.com.ph