Mexican camp sees KO in 11th -- Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star

DALLAS – Nothing less than a knockout for the Mexican.

“Knockout. Knockout,” said Robert Garcia, chief trainer of Antonio Margarito, Tuesday.

“No other way. I like the 11th round,” he added.

Margarito, the taller, bigger and heavier fighter, will rely on all these attributes when he faces Manny Pacquiao, now the world’s top boxer, at the Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.

“I have the power to take Manny out,” he told the media.

But whether he can use that power against the fastest boxer in the planet remains the question.

“His advantages are size and strength. Mine is my speed,” said Pacquiao, who did look the faster one, even twice faster perhaps, during their public workout at the Gaylord Texan Hotel.

Margarito was in slow-motion when compared to Pacquiao, and questions were even raised whether or not he’s having problems making weight.

Even from his training camp in Oxnard, California, Margarito always had his sweat suit, whether it’s the top or bottom or from top to bottom, on.

Still, Garcia insisted that he has Margarito’s weight in check.

“We have no trouble making weight. This morning he’s 150. He’s on weight already. He will be 150 for the weigh-in, and in the ring, 160 to 162 maybe. No, we won’t go up at 165,” he said.

The catchweight for this WBC super-welterweight contest is pegged at 150 lb, four less than the limit.

“No problem making weight. I have never had a problem in past,” said Margarito, the former world champion out to redeem himself from the ugly handwraps incident of last year.

“He’s (Margarito) now 152, and when he finishes this workout, he’ll be on weight,” said Bob Arum.

Pacquiao said he’s keeping his weight at around 148 lb until the day of the weigh-in or the fight itself.

Freddie Roach said a few days ago he received word from Oxnard that Margarito has already made weight, and said it was just “ridiculous” to do so because fighter normally make weight on the day of the weigh-in.

But seeing Margarito during Tuesday’s public workout, Pacquiao’s chief trainer has started thinking otherwise.

“I think he’s still overweight,” said Roach, who must have watched Margarito up on the ring from behing the huge curtains at the spacious exhibit hall.

Source: philstar.com