By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk
What a lot of hot air has enveloped Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito ahead of their allegedly "light-middleweight" title fight in Texas on Saturday.
Some smart writers have totally bought into "stories" that Congressman Pacquiao is said to be too wrapped up in his political duties and trained poorly in the Philippines before going to the Wild Card in LA. Really? Now, of course, the fight is no longer the one-sided smashing of a seasoned pro (six defeats in 45 fights, remember) but an even-money affair, so roll up, roll up.
Pause for a minute: 32-year-old Margarito is a legitimate opponent; he did, after all, do a number on Miguel Cotto (although who knows how legal his gloves were that night). He also had to hold off an ambitious Roberto García over 10 rounds in May.
But he has lost to the following: way back in 1994 to Tijuana tumbler Victor Lozoya, who was coming off a kayo loss and went on to lose to nine other no-names; Larry Dixon (ditto), who lost three more and quit boxing in 1998; Rodney Jones, a decent fighter whose last fight was three years ago, losing to Cory Spinks over 12 rounds for the IBF light-middle title; Daniel Santos (on cuts); Paul Williams three years ago at welterweight; and, most significantly, to Shane Mosley in his last real test.
In January 2009 – that's 22 months ago – Mosley demolished Margarito with the last dregs of his once phenomenal hand speed and movement – and nobody moves more quickly or quirkily than the Pacman.
But the seers say he is distracted, off his game, complacent. Pacquiao has lived with chaos and hardship since he was an urchin on the streets of General Santos City, juggling boxing with survival. He has an entourage bigger than the president. He lets some of them sleep at the foot of his bed. And he fits all of that in around the toughest training regime in boxing. A couple of blisters from wearing dress shoes to fancy functions in Manila a few weeks ago are not going to worry him in a mere fist fight.
What still worries Pacman's coach, Freddie Roach, apparently, is the prospect of Margarito sneaking some help into his gloves. "You have fucking rocks in your hand, you know it," he told BoxingScene.com. "Against Santos and Williams and so forth, he doesn't look like he's that big a puncher. Against [Kermit] Cintron [whom he cut in half with a vicious body shot] and Cotto, something was different."
So, presuming it's clean, Pacquiao should do a number on Margarito – who I still don't think should be anywhere near a boxing ring after being caught with loaded gloves moments before the Mosley fight, and then was banned for only a year.
Similarly, though, it is a liberty that Pacquiao should be allowed to make this fight at three pounds inside the light-middleweight limit of 154lbs. After the weigh-in, Margarito will add at least half a stone; I doubt it will do him much good. If Margarito wins, it will be the shock of the year – but at least the fight writers who fell for the hype will be able to say I told you so.
Rumour mill cranks into gear
The countdown to Haye-Harrison got off to a cracking start on the rumour mill. Firstly, there was 39-year-old American southpaw Tony Thompson knocking the champion over in the gym (unsubstantiated, denied, probably nonsense); then there was Audley sparking four sparring partners in one session (no comment from the challenger, no witnesses, smiles from Haye).
And Ian McNeilly of Boxrec.com has given life to this one. If Adam Smith is vacating the microphone to head up Sky's negotiations with the major promoters, it will, as McNeilly suggests, take some neat diplomacy for a guy who up to now has been a genial ringside frontman to be firm with Frank Warren, Barry Hearn, Frank Maloney, Ricky Hatton and Haye, their main promotional partners. Good luck, Adam.
I had a chat with Haye on his way to Soccer AM on Saturday morning (what a jolly old lads' zoo that programme is), and he confirmed that everyone from Roy Jones Jr to Bernard Hopkins had been on the phone asking for a title shot.
He reckons the rematch clause Nikolai Valuev had with him has lapsed – for which we should all be grateful – and he doubts the Uzbekistani Ruslan Chagaev will pass a health test for their mandatory, slated for February or March.
Believe it or not, that's when Roy Jones might be fighting the Prizefighter winner Michael Sprott. Won't be queueing for that one.
Lest we forget, by the way, Sprott was boxing the ears off Audley Harrison in April before being knocked out by a desperate left hook. It's 14 years since Sprott, now 35, started out with the late Terry Lawless – and more than three years since he kayoed Audley in their first fight. Some career.
Sprott is off to Germany soon to help Wladimir Klitschko get ready for Dereck Chisora on 11 December – providing Delboy gets an adjournment from the police on an assault charge this week.
Haye v Harrison – handbags?
Not sure if I buy the feud between Haye and Harrison. There is friction there, but these are experienced deal-makers who would know how to big-up a kid's birthday party.
I did like Haye's crack that, by the time Audley throws his left hook, he'll be back at the after-party.
Expect hugs at the finish.
Source: guardian.co.uk
Monday 8 November 2010
Manny Pacquiao host Jerry Jones jammed up as Cowboys go down in flames -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
DALLAS—The roof has caved in at showplace Cowboys Stadium but they will still proceed with the Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao fight card Saturday night.
Still, I can't see stadium and NFL Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, who was a gregarious and ubiquitous host for the March 13 bout between Pacman and Joshua Clottey at the same glittering venue, having the luxury of of dealing with boxing very much this week.
The roof has fallen in, figuratively speaking as the stadium' chief tentant--”America's Team,” the usually beloved but also hated 'Boys—are on fast track to gridiron oblivion,.
Losing five successive games, including Sunday night's nationally televised 45-7 punchout at Green Bay, the entire team, especially head coach Wade Phillips and, yes, paymaster Jones are all under heavy fire.
With the 45-7 embarrassment, the 'Boys might be able to relate to Ricky Hatton after he got blitzed by Pacman.
Even Phillips said he held his nose during the Packer walkover, saying, “We looked like a bad team with bad coaching.”
Miami Heat superstar LeBron James commented on the wreckage on his @King James Twitter account, saying that "this is just ridiculous..."
Dallas is now 1-7, some rate them as worse than winless Buffalo and one Dallas Morning News pigskin pundit sees them finishing “no better than 3-13.”
For his part, Jones said “everyone in the country will agree there is lots wrong with this team.”
So, if Jones skips the prefight press conferene and/or the weigh-in, you now know why in advance.
Jones will meet and speak with all the players today (Monday). They could be read the owner's riot act.
Sometimes, a guy who owns a stadium and an NFL franchise has to have other priorities.
With some fans putting bags on their heads for anonymity and another pundit pleading with others to boycott the stadium in protest of the team record and miserable effort, Jones has to put boxing, even Pacman, down on his list as a “maybe” right now.
Even New York Football Giants fan and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum gets the picture.
"They are trying to right the ship,” Arum said the other day of Jones' storied team.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
DALLAS—The roof has caved in at showplace Cowboys Stadium but they will still proceed with the Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao fight card Saturday night.
Still, I can't see stadium and NFL Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, who was a gregarious and ubiquitous host for the March 13 bout between Pacman and Joshua Clottey at the same glittering venue, having the luxury of of dealing with boxing very much this week.
The roof has fallen in, figuratively speaking as the stadium' chief tentant--”America's Team,” the usually beloved but also hated 'Boys—are on fast track to gridiron oblivion,.With the 45-7 embarrassment, the 'Boys might be able to relate to Ricky Hatton after he got blitzed by Pacman.
Even Phillips said he held his nose during the Packer walkover, saying, “We looked like a bad team with bad coaching.”
Miami Heat superstar LeBron James commented on the wreckage on his @King James Twitter account, saying that "this is just ridiculous..."
Dallas is now 1-7, some rate them as worse than winless Buffalo and one Dallas Morning News pigskin pundit sees them finishing “no better than 3-13.”
For his part, Jones said “everyone in the country will agree there is lots wrong with this team.”
So, if Jones skips the prefight press conferene and/or the weigh-in, you now know why in advance.
Jones will meet and speak with all the players today (Monday). They could be read the owner's riot act.
Sometimes, a guy who owns a stadium and an NFL franchise has to have other priorities.
With some fans putting bags on their heads for anonymity and another pundit pleading with others to boycott the stadium in protest of the team record and miserable effort, Jones has to put boxing, even Pacman, down on his list as a “maybe” right now.
Even New York Football Giants fan and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum gets the picture.
"They are trying to right the ship,” Arum said the other day of Jones' storied team.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Pacquiao jogs, then sings to wife and crowd -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao staged a mini-concert before his fans and followers on Sunday night as he rehearsed with his band at Cascades Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood.
With wife Jinkee on a comfy sofa fronting the stage, Pacquiao belted out a repertoire of his favorite tunes, including Michael Bolton’s version of “To Love Somebody” and Bryan Adams’ “Everything I do (I’ll Do It For You) that the modest crowd applauded.
Pacquiao, backup singer Madonna Decena and pop artist Lito Camo, are scheduled to perform on Nov. 16 in Lake Tahoe, three days after the Filipino fighter’s world title showdown with Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.
Pacquiao actually started the day with a morning jog at Pan Pacific Park, a sprawling exercise area just two blocks away from his apartment unit at The Palazzo
in the trendy La Brea area.
Pacquiao was enjoying every second of his rehearsal, even providing a slice of comedy to his performance that delighted those in attendance, some of them grownups carrying with them toddlers.
Source: mb.com.ph
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao staged a mini-concert before his fans and followers on Sunday night as he rehearsed with his band at Cascades Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood.
With wife Jinkee on a comfy sofa fronting the stage, Pacquiao belted out a repertoire of his favorite tunes, including Michael Bolton’s version of “To Love Somebody” and Bryan Adams’ “Everything I do (I’ll Do It For You) that the modest crowd applauded.
Pacquiao, backup singer Madonna Decena and pop artist Lito Camo, are scheduled to perform on Nov. 16 in Lake Tahoe, three days after the Filipino fighter’s world title showdown with Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.
Pacquiao actually started the day with a morning jog at Pan Pacific Park, a sprawling exercise area just two blocks away from his apartment unit at The Palazzo in the trendy La Brea area.After running, Pacquiao went to church with his family and friends then attended a gathering before doing one of his many passions aside from boxing, politics and movies.
Pacquiao was enjoying every second of his rehearsal, even providing a slice of comedy to his performance that delighted those in attendance, some of them grownups carrying with them toddlers.
Source: mb.com.ph
Margarito fighting for Mexican pride against Pacquiao -- Star-Telegram
By Matthew Reagan, Star-Telegram
The pride of a country is on the line, and Antonio Margarito knows and embraces it.
The "Tijuana Tornado" has redemption on his mind leading up to his title bout with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, and he has a nation of support behind him.
Many of those fans showed up to show their support for the fighter at La Gran Plaza Mall in Fort Worth on Sunday.
"It will be a victory for us [Mexico]," Margarito told the crowd.
The 1,000-plus fans in attendance gave Margarito and his crew, including trainer Robert Garcia, extended rounds of cheers and applause, chanted "Viva Mexico" and "Si, se puede [Yes, we can]" and lined up for autographs and photo opportunities with the Mexican fighter.
"We want to show to the world that every single Mexican is behind Margarito," Garcia said.
The 32-year-old Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) takes on Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) for the WBC super welterweight belt in his first major title fight since losing by a ninth-round TKO to Shane Mosley in a WBA super welterweight title defense in January 2009.
The loss was just Margarito's third in 12 years, but what ensued outside the ring has lingered and pained him much more than the outcome of the fight.
During a pre-fight examination, officials discovered plaster in the hand wrappings of Margarito's gloves. He received a one-year ban from the California Boxing Commission, and all other states were required to honor the ruling as well.
Upon expiration of his suspension, Texas granted him a license and Top Rank chairman and boxing promoter Bob Arum and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones were more than willing to give him a chance to participate in the boxing world's premier event of the year.
Margarito, who easily handled Texan Roberto Garcia in a warm-up bout in Mexico earlier this year, welcomes the chance to fight in Texas and said he appreciates the support Mexican fans have shown him.
"I am very thankful all these fans stuck with me and the best reward I can give them is to win the fight," he said.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have Pacquiao listed as the favorite and he might be considered the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, but Margarito does bring some advantages to the fight.
A 6-inch reach and 5-inch height advantage favor Margarito. Couple that with Margarito's having overcome odds just as big while making his way through the ranks, including a title win over then unbeaten Miguel Cotto.
Matthew Reagan,
mreagan@star-telegram.com
817-390-7760
Source: star-telegram.com
The pride of a country is on the line, and Antonio Margarito knows and embraces it.
The "Tijuana Tornado" has redemption on his mind leading up to his title bout with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, and he has a nation of support behind him.
Many of those fans showed up to show their support for the fighter at La Gran Plaza Mall in Fort Worth on Sunday. "It will be a victory for us [Mexico]," Margarito told the crowd.
The 1,000-plus fans in attendance gave Margarito and his crew, including trainer Robert Garcia, extended rounds of cheers and applause, chanted "Viva Mexico" and "Si, se puede [Yes, we can]" and lined up for autographs and photo opportunities with the Mexican fighter.
"We want to show to the world that every single Mexican is behind Margarito," Garcia said.
The 32-year-old Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) takes on Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) for the WBC super welterweight belt in his first major title fight since losing by a ninth-round TKO to Shane Mosley in a WBA super welterweight title defense in January 2009.
The loss was just Margarito's third in 12 years, but what ensued outside the ring has lingered and pained him much more than the outcome of the fight.
During a pre-fight examination, officials discovered plaster in the hand wrappings of Margarito's gloves. He received a one-year ban from the California Boxing Commission, and all other states were required to honor the ruling as well.
Upon expiration of his suspension, Texas granted him a license and Top Rank chairman and boxing promoter Bob Arum and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones were more than willing to give him a chance to participate in the boxing world's premier event of the year.
Margarito, who easily handled Texan Roberto Garcia in a warm-up bout in Mexico earlier this year, welcomes the chance to fight in Texas and said he appreciates the support Mexican fans have shown him.
"I am very thankful all these fans stuck with me and the best reward I can give them is to win the fight," he said.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have Pacquiao listed as the favorite and he might be considered the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, but Margarito does bring some advantages to the fight.
A 6-inch reach and 5-inch height advantage favor Margarito. Couple that with Margarito's having overcome odds just as big while making his way through the ranks, including a title win over then unbeaten Miguel Cotto.
Matthew Reagan,
mreagan@star-telegram.com
817-390-7760
Source: star-telegram.com
Congressman Manny Pacquiao 'outpoints' President Barack Obama on "60 Minutes" -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
DENVER—There were only two people profiled on the still massively popular CBS TV newsweekly magazine “60 Minutes” Sunday night.
One was embattled President Barack Obama, who used a boxing analogy in discussing the recent electoral disaster and other failures suffered in the first two years of his term by he and the Democratic Party.
Obama said dealing with economic and other turmoil was a “hard, long slog” and that “I will get knocked down a couple of times.”
Obama was interviewed by reporter Steve Kroft and the softball questions were nonexistent.
The second piece on the program was far friendler.
It was veteran reporter Bob Simon's gee whiz profile of the boxing, social and political wonder that is Manny Pacquiao.
The lead in, voiced by Simon, called Pacman “...quite simply, the best boxer in the world today...”
I wonder how that was received at the Floyd Mayweather Big Boy Mansion in Las Vegas?
Simon said Pacman walks to the ring as though he “is going to dance, not to a duel...as though he's has not a care in the world...”
To which Pacquiao said, impishly, “That's me, I'm always smiling.”
Dutiful promoter Bob Arum, who knows where his balut is salted and buttered said Pacman is “the best fighter, better than Muhammad Ali, who I promoted 25 times, because he was essentially a one-handed fighter...”
Then came the familiar recitation to fight fans, but brand new to most American watching the show which came on as soon as the NFL Oakland Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs with a field goal in overtime, of Manny's humble beginnings in General Santos City.
It was reported that he was one of six children and that he first donned boxing gloves for a reward of 100 pesos or about two US dollars.
Simon said that Pacman stowed away on a ferry boat to get to Manila at age 14 and that he was just 98 pounds for his first bout but weighted down his pockets to make the 105 pound lowest weight class requirement.
Pacquiao was only 16 then.
Coach Freddie Roach was asked if he knew how great Pacman's potential was upon first viewing at the Wild Card Gym.
“Yes, that first time...because he had so much explosion on his punches that it was like gunfire,” Roach said.
Sardonically, Simon asked how Manny felt about busting up the face of handsome Oscar de la Hoya.
“That's boxing, it is part of the game,” a beaming broadly Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said his real goals and ambitions now lie in “public service” because he's already achieved so many dreams in the ring.
As expected, the clincher was Simon asking if Megamanny harbored presidential aspirations in the Philippines.
Of course, Manny beamed even more broadly.
“It's hard to have a comment right now,” Congressman Pacquiao said, “it is so far away.”
Simon could have quit there but he then asked the Pinoy Idol who he felt is the greatest boxer ever.
The imp appeared on screen, beaming ever more broadly.
“Including me?” Pacquiao asked, playfully. “...Me.”
I felt that Obama did well under trying circumstances but I gave this round to Pacquiao.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
DENVER—There were only two people profiled on the still massively popular CBS TV newsweekly magazine “60 Minutes” Sunday night.
One was embattled President Barack Obama, who used a boxing analogy in discussing the recent electoral disaster and other failures suffered in the first two years of his term by he and the Democratic Party.
Obama said dealing with economic and other turmoil was a “hard, long slog” and that “I will get knocked down a couple of times.”
Obama was interviewed by reporter Steve Kroft and the softball questions were nonexistent.The second piece on the program was far friendler.
It was veteran reporter Bob Simon's gee whiz profile of the boxing, social and political wonder that is Manny Pacquiao.
The lead in, voiced by Simon, called Pacman “...quite simply, the best boxer in the world today...”
I wonder how that was received at the Floyd Mayweather Big Boy Mansion in Las Vegas?
Simon said Pacman walks to the ring as though he “is going to dance, not to a duel...as though he's has not a care in the world...”
To which Pacquiao said, impishly, “That's me, I'm always smiling.”
Dutiful promoter Bob Arum, who knows where his balut is salted and buttered said Pacman is “the best fighter, better than Muhammad Ali, who I promoted 25 times, because he was essentially a one-handed fighter...”
Then came the familiar recitation to fight fans, but brand new to most American watching the show which came on as soon as the NFL Oakland Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs with a field goal in overtime, of Manny's humble beginnings in General Santos City.
It was reported that he was one of six children and that he first donned boxing gloves for a reward of 100 pesos or about two US dollars.
Simon said that Pacman stowed away on a ferry boat to get to Manila at age 14 and that he was just 98 pounds for his first bout but weighted down his pockets to make the 105 pound lowest weight class requirement.
Pacquiao was only 16 then.
Coach Freddie Roach was asked if he knew how great Pacman's potential was upon first viewing at the Wild Card Gym.
“Yes, that first time...because he had so much explosion on his punches that it was like gunfire,” Roach said.
Sardonically, Simon asked how Manny felt about busting up the face of handsome Oscar de la Hoya.
“That's boxing, it is part of the game,” a beaming broadly Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said his real goals and ambitions now lie in “public service” because he's already achieved so many dreams in the ring.
As expected, the clincher was Simon asking if Megamanny harbored presidential aspirations in the Philippines.
Of course, Manny beamed even more broadly.
“It's hard to have a comment right now,” Congressman Pacquiao said, “it is so far away.”
Simon could have quit there but he then asked the Pinoy Idol who he felt is the greatest boxer ever.
The imp appeared on screen, beaming ever more broadly.
“Including me?” Pacquiao asked, playfully. “...Me.”
I felt that Obama did well under trying circumstances but I gave this round to Pacquiao.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Antonio Margarito Mobbed By Texas Fans -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
When Manny Pacquiao decisioned Joshua Clottey in defense of his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title at the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium in March, the cross-over star from the Philippines drew more than 50,000 people to the venue's first-ever boxing event.
But the 31-year-old Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts), who is a seven-division champion, was not the only major draw in Arlington, Tex.
For ex-champion, Antonio Margarito, of Tijuana, Mex., although there only as a spectator and potential opponent, was trailed by hundreds if not thousands of autograph and photograph-seeking followers throughout his time in Texas.
All of this, despite the fact that he was actively serving a more than one-year long suspension from the sport for a hand-wrapping scandal that stemmed from his January, 2009 ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Margarito's license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission in February of 2009, this after Mosley's trainer, Naazim Richardson, discovered the presence of a plaster-like substance in his gloves that was confiscated and removed prior to his facing Mosley.
Margarito was twice turned down for a license renewal in California, but was approved by Texas in August.
As a result, the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium will be the site of yet another fight by Pacquiao on Saturday, and why this time, his HBO pay per view televised battle will be against the 32-year-old Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) in pursuit of the WBC's vacant junior middleweight (154 pounds) crown and Pacquiao's eighth championship in as many different weight classes.
If Sunday's reception is any indication, attendance for Pacquiao-Margarito will surpass that of Pacquiao-Clottey.
For after arriving in Dallas, Margarito was met by thousands of fans who turned out to greet him both at the Tamale Festival in Dallas, and, later, at the La Gran Plaza Shopping Mall in Fort Worth.
"The first place was the Dallas Market Hall, and it was basically a fair, although it was indoors. And then Antonio went to the La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth, which is a shopping mall. And he did interviews and spoke to the press and signed autographs," said Lee Samuels, public relations specialist for Top Rank Promotions.
"Thousands of people showed up. But it's been this way everywhere that we've taken him. He's been getting big crowds," said Samuels, who is in Dallas handling the promotion. "When he was at the Cowboys' Stadium the last time, we had trouble moving him around the stadium a few months ago. He's very popular."
Margarito, who, like Pacquiao, will conduct an open public workout on Monday, was mobbed by fans, according to his trainer, Robert Garcia.
"Oh, man, it was crazy. It was unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many people showed up. The thing is, there were a lot of people here for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight, but, you know, Clottey didn't have any fans here," said Garcia.
"Antonio was very, very grateful that the fans showed up, and to know that all of those people are behind him," said Garcia. "I mean, you know, Antonio Margarito has a lot of fans here, so, you know, Saturday night, when the fight comes around, it's really going to be a crazy night."
The 63,315 that were on hand to witness Muhammad Ali's 1978 rematch and unanimous decision victory over Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans remains an indoor attendance record.
Top Rank Promotions' CEO, Bob Arum, told reporters during a recent conference call that he hoped to surpass "over 60,000" in attendance at the stadium
The crowd of 50,944 for Pacquiao-Clottey was the third largest for an indoor event in boxing history, and Arum said that Pacquiao-Margarito is "tracking well ahead of where we were of the Clottey fight."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
When Manny Pacquiao decisioned Joshua Clottey in defense of his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title at the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium in March, the cross-over star from the Philippines drew more than 50,000 people to the venue's first-ever boxing event.
But the 31-year-old Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts), who is a seven-division champion, was not the only major draw in Arlington, Tex.
For ex-champion, Antonio Margarito, of Tijuana, Mex., although there only as a spectator and potential opponent, was trailed by hundreds if not thousands of autograph and photograph-seeking followers throughout his time in Texas.
All of this, despite the fact that he was actively serving a more than one-year long suspension from the sport for a hand-wrapping scandal that stemmed from his January, 2009 ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Margarito's license was revoked by the California State Athletic Commission in February of 2009, this after Mosley's trainer, Naazim Richardson, discovered the presence of a plaster-like substance in his gloves that was confiscated and removed prior to his facing Mosley.
Margarito was twice turned down for a license renewal in California, but was approved by Texas in August.
As a result, the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium will be the site of yet another fight by Pacquiao on Saturday, and why this time, his HBO pay per view televised battle will be against the 32-year-old Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) in pursuit of the WBC's vacant junior middleweight (154 pounds) crown and Pacquiao's eighth championship in as many different weight classes.
If Sunday's reception is any indication, attendance for Pacquiao-Margarito will surpass that of Pacquiao-Clottey.
For after arriving in Dallas, Margarito was met by thousands of fans who turned out to greet him both at the Tamale Festival in Dallas, and, later, at the La Gran Plaza Shopping Mall in Fort Worth.
"The first place was the Dallas Market Hall, and it was basically a fair, although it was indoors. And then Antonio went to the La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth, which is a shopping mall. And he did interviews and spoke to the press and signed autographs," said Lee Samuels, public relations specialist for Top Rank Promotions.
"Thousands of people showed up. But it's been this way everywhere that we've taken him. He's been getting big crowds," said Samuels, who is in Dallas handling the promotion. "When he was at the Cowboys' Stadium the last time, we had trouble moving him around the stadium a few months ago. He's very popular."
Margarito, who, like Pacquiao, will conduct an open public workout on Monday, was mobbed by fans, according to his trainer, Robert Garcia.
"Oh, man, it was crazy. It was unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many people showed up. The thing is, there were a lot of people here for the Pacquiao-Clottey fight, but, you know, Clottey didn't have any fans here," said Garcia.
"Antonio was very, very grateful that the fans showed up, and to know that all of those people are behind him," said Garcia. "I mean, you know, Antonio Margarito has a lot of fans here, so, you know, Saturday night, when the fight comes around, it's really going to be a crazy night."
The 63,315 that were on hand to witness Muhammad Ali's 1978 rematch and unanimous decision victory over Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans remains an indoor attendance record.
Top Rank Promotions' CEO, Bob Arum, told reporters during a recent conference call that he hoped to surpass "over 60,000" in attendance at the stadium
The crowd of 50,944 for Pacquiao-Clottey was the third largest for an indoor event in boxing history, and Arum said that Pacquiao-Margarito is "tracking well ahead of where we were of the Clottey fight."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
The Crimes of Antonio Margarito: What Manny Pacquiao is Facing -- Ringside Report
By Jeff Stoyanoff, Ringside ReportWhat follows is simply an opinion about possible actions of Antonio Margarito and the likely consequences of those actions. It is important to stress that while the Margarito camp was caught trying to put an illegal substance into his hand wraps prior to his fight with Shane Mosley last year, there is no concrete evidence regarding an attempt to do the same thing in any other fight during his career. Any inference to such an action is merely conjecture at this point. The truth will never be known for certain. Still, it is difficult to avoid wondering about Margarito and some of the fighters he has met in the past….
Kermit Cintron does not have a fight scheduled at this point. Neither does Miguel Cotto. Cotto might just be waiting to see which way the wind blows after Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito finish their business on November 13th. Meanwhile, it’s hard to say what is going on with Cintron except to say that his lack of notoriety and considerable skills make him perhaps the ultimate high risk low reward opponent in boxing today. Despite their difference in popularity, these two fighters have strong similarities in their careers the most striking of which is the not so subtle tinge of tragedy.What Might Have Been
Kermit Cintron, 32-3-1, 28 KO’s, could very easily be undefeated right now. His technical decision loss to Paul Williams in May was as meaningless as the incident that precipitated it was bizarre. After being thrown from the ring in a tangle of legs, Cintron was unable to continue and the fight went to the cards after just four rounds. Williams received a split decision. It was the first four round decision for either man in some time one can be sure. As for Cintron’s other two losses, they came to one man, Antonio Margarito. Cintron went 12 rounds against the ferocious Alfredo Angulo winning a fairly one sided decision. Yet curiously, he was stopped twice relatively early on by a man who tends to wear down opponents and has spent much of his career at Welterweight in Margarito. Cintron has not only never been stopped, he has never even hit the canvas except against Margarito. If only there was something about Margarito that might account for such an anomalous result?
It seems quite possible that Cintron was another victim of the cheating ways of Margarito. And, if so, it has done terrible damage, not simply to him physically, but to his career as well. It was Cintron who had to meet Sergio Martinez when nobody in the world wanted to fight either one of them. After a hard fought draw, it would be hard to envision the largely unknown Cintron getting a rematch with Martinez. The star of Sergio Martinez has risen, if he beats Williams, there has to be an easier fight with a better known fighter than Cintron; whose status among casual boxing fans remains utterly unchanged.
Recently, it was Cintron again who found his way into the ring with the most avoided man in boxing, Paul Williams. After the bizarre ending in which Williams was awarded a victory, it is hard to imagine Williams seeking out Cintron again. Just as is the case with Martinez, if Williams wins his rematch with the Argentine superstar, there will be a multitude of options that will make more sense than a man with the skills, power, and sheer anonymity of a Kermit Cintron. Cintron didn’t do himself any favors when he showed startling versatility in easily out boxing young phenom Alfred Angulo in May of 2009 either; a great win, but one that might have closed more doors than it opened for Cintron.
On paper, Cintron has had his shot and it appears that he was either too good, absolutely unlucky, or cheated depending on which fight from his record you choose to examine. Yet, in the end, he has three losses and a draw; the specifics are interesting, but irrelevant. While those around him seem to find their way to the bright lights, Cintron seems destined to troll the shadows, an avoided man literally cheated out of his chance. The key is Margarito and those two losses. Without those losses, Cintron would have only one loss stemming from a freak occurrence; he couldn’t be avoided as he would be too good for boxing fans not to notice. Instead, he’s damaged goods. He’s been exposed. And no star needs to take the chance anymore. When I see Antonio Margarito, I instinctively think of Kermit Cintron and what might have been.
Yet, that mild tragedy is perhaps overshadowed by the fact that Miguel Cotto, 35-2, 28 KO’s, also crossed paths with Margarito. It is hard to forget the night Cotto met Margarito in July of 2008. The then undefeated Cotto was already a huge star in the sport and appeared destined for an eventual mega fight with cash cow Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Nearly eleven rounds later, Cotto’s face was a badly swollen, bloody mess. Cotto was beaten and his corner mercifully threw in the towel. One need only look at Cotto’s face and pair that image with the events in the lead up to the Mosley-Margarito fight last year to ascertain what happened that night. Cotto is still a star in the sport, but who can ever say what that night did to him? In the end, Cotto was likely also a victim of cheating.
Cotto’s only other loss was to perhaps the hottest fighter that the sport of boxing has seen in some time in Manny Pacquiao. Allegations of PED use have dogged ring legend Manny Pacquiao during his recent spate of dominating performances. To date, nothing even approaching concrete evidence has surfaced against Pacquiao, but the rumblings persist from fans, writers, and even other fighters. However, Manny Pacquiao is a separate discussion altogether. The PED allegations, be they baseless or not, merely provide a greater context to the tragic dynamic that pervades the career arc of Miguel Cotto. He wasn’t robbed of his moment in the spotlight. But, the spectacular nature of his losses and the questions those losses engender cannot be denied. It is hard to know just how much of Miguel Cotto was lost in the savage beatings he took in his two losses. And, it is hard to separate the questions that surround those fateful nights, especially the night Cotto squared off against Margarito. Pairing Cintron and Margarito might be just me, but who can think of Miguel Cotto and NOT think of Antonio Margarito and the specter of loaded gloves?
Anyone Ever Seen Memento?
When Luis Resto had a portion of the padding of his gloves removed before his 1983 fight with Billy Collins it appeared to be an attempt for some individuals to make money through betting on the fight itself. Interestingly, no such plot seems to have surfaced regarding Margarito and his attempt at loading his gloves. One possible interpretation is that Margarito’s attempt was simply an attempt to gain an edge; an attempt to ensure victory. As that is presumably the goal for a fighter every time out, one can assume that the night of the Mosley fight was far from the first time Margarito sought such an “edge“. We all saw what Cotto looked like. It wasn’t that Margarito won, it was Cotto’s face. How can one not wonder about that night? Kermit Cintron is a less publicized, but equally vexing case. Knowing what we now know, it would be hard not to wonder about those wins for Margarito.
Margarito stands on the precipice of a chance that so few fighters get and he doesn’t deserve it. He is a veritable grim reaper in the sport, who knows how many shoulders he tapped with his plastered hand. It is not beyond boxing fans to consider what he might have done to Mosley, what he likely did to Cotto and Cintron, what he very well might have done to so many fighters: Santos, Williams, Clottey, and the list goes on. Antonio Margarito was 9-3 with 5 KO’s in 1996. He didn’t seem to be on the fast track to the mega fights in which he would eventually find himself. Yet, somewhere along the line something changed. Just how much of that was Margarito and how much was the gloves will never be known for sure. But, nobody will care. My colleague Geno McGahee has written passionately and persuasively about the necessity for fans to strongly disavow the upcoming Pacquiao-Margarito fight. I couldn’t agree more that we should pass on this fight as the affront to decency that it absolutely is, but I can’t be optimistic.
Antonio Margarito is merely a recent chapter in the sordid story of boxing. Allegations of loading of gloves are as old as using gloves to begin with. Luis Resto did so and was caught. Sonny Liston put something on his gloves against Ali in their first fight and got away with it. Even Jack Dempsey is believed by more than a few to have loaded his gloves before entering the ring against Jess Williard for their title fight in 1919. And as always, that is just a sampling of what has transpired in that hideous arena. One can be sure that history is replete with story after story of such behavior throughout the sport’s sometimes ugly past.
Beyond the cheating, there are the triumphant returns of criminals, most notably, Mike Tyson. If Edwin Valero would not have committed suicide, there would have been legions of fans hoping for a miracle acquittal just so they could see him fight once again. The fact that his funeral was treated as a national tragedy shows just how far boxing is from having any kind of moral compass. If Ike Ibeabuchi were somehow released from prison a few years ago is there any doubt that he would have been welcomed back, not simply as a talented fighter, but as a potential savior of the flagging Heavyweight Division? His despicable acts would, of course, have been completely overlooked when he entered the ring. And, of course, should Floyd Mayweather Jr. return to the sport, his transgressions might be fodder for forum posts and blogs, but they will do nothing to impede his ability to participate in the sport and make ridiculous amounts of money.
Boxing is thought to exist in a seedy world of corruption and crime, but the fact is the sport and some of those in it are every bit as seedy as the underworld in which they supposedly exist. Boxing fans have realized for some time that the fight game is as far from perfect as a sport can get. Fights don’t get made, corruption poisons the process of making and officiating fights, unsavory characters become stars here more often than anywhere else, and yes, people cheat. Fans don’t like it, but if fans insisted that the game meet some morality standard, there would be no fans left.
It isn’t that all boxing fans simply ignore or minimize repugnant acts such as those of Antonio Margarito. Rather, they seem to simply accept them as an unavoidable evil inseparable from the sport itself; just as history has shown. In order to not give up on boxing completely, fans are forced to cling to what is good and develop an amnesia for what is bad. Many fans, myself included, will choose not to buy this fight and thus reward Antonio Margarito and those who enabled him to escape the punishment he so richly deserved. But, after that, the sport will go on in all its deeply flawed beauty and our memory and vitriol will sadly fade. And when the next bad thing inevitably happens, we won’t immediately think of Antonio Margarito; we will have already forgotten him. A little amnesia is the only way to remain a boxing fan at all.
Source: ringsidereport.com
Roach elated with Pacquiao's showing -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao paused for a second, grinned and then delivered the punch line.
Pacquiao said he has studied Margarito’s aggressive nature and that the Mexican’s slow reflexes is perfect for his run-and-gun style.
Sparring for the penultimate time, Pacquiao was in his deadly form, beating up Rashad Holloway and David Rodela in a five-round session that brought a familiar smile on Freddie Roach’s face.
“Masaya naman si Freddie sa performance ko at hindi naman siguro magsisinungaling si Freddie na happy siya sa kanyang nakikita,” said Pacquiao, who will have his last day of sparring on Monday, before Team Pacquiao departs for Dallas.
Still, Pacquiao is wary of what Margarito brings to the ring, noting that his 5-foot-11 foe has a nice uppercut and is a solid body puncher.
“Pinapalakas pa rin natin ang katawan kasi body puncher ang kalaban,” said the 31-year-old Filipino southpaw, who has gotten back on track as far as conditioning is concerned in less than two weeks after uprooting his training camp in the Philippines.
Speed remains the key factor in Pacquiao’s quest to cut the giant Margarito to size in their scheduled 12-round world super-welterweight showdown and Pacquiao is going the extra mile by insisting that he will run a little on Sunday, which is his day-off.
“He told me he will run a bit and I said ‘okay’,” said Roach, looking and sounding content that his prized puncher has recovered lost ground from the inconsistencies of training in Baguio and Manila.
“He’s ready to go,” said Roach, who will reunite with Pacquiao Monday as they engage in a light workout before getting on board a Boeing 757 for Texas.
Source: mb.com.ph
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao paused for a second, grinned and then delivered the punch line.“May tama na (He gets hits right away),” said Pacquiao
on Saturday afternoon when asked what happens when he finds himself at firing distance with Antonio Margarito next week at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.
on Saturday afternoon when asked what happens when he finds himself at firing distance with Antonio Margarito next week at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.Pacquiao said he has studied Margarito’s aggressive nature and that the Mexican’s slow reflexes is perfect for his run-and-gun style.
Sparring for the penultimate time, Pacquiao was in his deadly form, beating up Rashad Holloway and David Rodela in a five-round session that brought a familiar smile on Freddie Roach’s face.
“Masaya naman si Freddie sa performance ko at hindi naman siguro magsisinungaling si Freddie na happy siya sa kanyang nakikita,” said Pacquiao, who will have his last day of sparring on Monday, before Team Pacquiao departs for Dallas.
Still, Pacquiao is wary of what Margarito brings to the ring, noting that his 5-foot-11 foe has a nice uppercut and is a solid body puncher.
“Pinapalakas pa rin natin ang katawan kasi body puncher ang kalaban,” said the 31-year-old Filipino southpaw, who has gotten back on track as far as conditioning is concerned in less than two weeks after uprooting his training camp in the Philippines.
Speed remains the key factor in Pacquiao’s quest to cut the giant Margarito to size in their scheduled 12-round world super-welterweight showdown and Pacquiao is going the extra mile by insisting that he will run a little on Sunday, which is his day-off.
“He told me he will run a bit and I said ‘okay’,” said Roach, looking and sounding content that his prized puncher has recovered lost ground from the inconsistencies of training in Baguio and Manila.
“He’s ready to go,” said Roach, who will reunite with Pacquiao Monday as they engage in a light workout before getting on board a Boeing 757 for Texas.
Source: mb.com.ph
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