THE build-up to Manny Pacquiao's Texas shootout against Antonio Margarito is gathering pace.
A massive 27,000 tickets have already been sold for the November 13 showdown.
Pacquiao has done a couple of work-outs for the media this week and also appears on a US chat show when he is due for a singing duet with actor Will Ferrell.
A pair of earplugs might come in handy for that one.
But Manny needs to give 100 per cent concentration to the serious business of the fight, which sees him move up to light-middleweight for the first time.
For a guy who started out at flyweight, his progress has been little short of phenomenal.
Each time he has moved up, I've thought he might have problems.
He has proved me wrong so far by carrying his speed and power with him to the next division. Against Margarito, though, he could be in trouble. The Mexican is naturally the bigger man and is very, very tough.
But Manny - who I'm hoping will vacate his WBO welterweight crown so Kell Brook can fight for the title - has made me eat my words before.
I remember one old-time promoter who always bet against Marvin Hagler because he thought he saw weaknesses against Kevin Finnegan. That promoter did his dough backing against Hagler over the years!
The other major talking point is whether Margarito should be in the ring at all.
Eighteen months ago he was banned after his hands were wrapped illegally before a fight with Shane Mosley.
For the good of the sport, I would like to see Pacquiao win. Then, the one everyone wants to see is that clash against Floyd Mayweather Jnr. But I still fear Margarito may upset that!
Source: thesun.co.uk
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