DALLAS — If Manny Pacquiao sticks to the gameplan and does not fool around against Antonio Margarito of Mexico, “we won’t lose (even) one second of the fight,” the Filipino’s chief trainer Freddie Roach said on Thursday.
“It’s an easy fight for us if we stick to the gameplan and Manny knows what to do in every situation,” said Roach just before Pacquiao trained for the very last time before he collides with Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in the neighboring city of Arlington.
The Filipino boxing icon is hoping to extend legacy as he goes for his eighth belt in as many weight classes and his 12th straight win since losing to Erik Morales in March 2005.
He is likewise hoping that his second fight at Cowboys Stadium goes better than the first.
Pacquiao's first fight in Dallas in front of a crowd of over 50,000 eight months ago was so boring because Joshua Clottey went into a defensive shell, refusing to thrown any punches.
Roach said he has Margarito all figured out and Pacquiao’s overwhelming advantage in skills will be too much for the slow-footed Margarito to overcome.
“I think he will dominate the fight and knock him out late in the fight. Manny is confident and relaxed,” he added.
Roach was still very much concerned even while they were wrapping up training camp in the Philippines in the fourth week of October because Pacquiao has yet to reach his optimum level.
“From Baguio to now, it’s a huge difference. Two weeks in America is great for him. His concentration level is 100 percent better and everything is better,” said the 50-year-old Roach, who was a bit disappointed that Pacquiao had been showing more enthusiasm to his congressional duties being the congressman from Sarangani province than to his boxing obligations.
“Congress was just a little bit too close to Baguio and he was missing roll call and he wants perfect attendance.”
Roach is not underestimating the 5-foot-11 Margarito, who has a five-inch height advantage and a six-inch edge in reach, but remains a firm believer that he is a flawed fighter.
“Fundamentally, I don’t rate him as a good fighter. He has got a good chin, a strong guy, a big guy but I know that. But fundamentally, he crosses his feet and makes mistakes and reaches for punches. I am not impressed,” said Roach, who has been calling the shots in Pacquiao’s corner since mid-2001.
Reminded of Pacquiao’s knack for playing around against very dangerous foes just like what he did against Miguel Cotto late last year when he allowed himself to be pinned on the ropes, giving the Puerto Rican the opportunity to unload with vicious hooks and head-snapping uppercuts as though Pacquiao was a punching bag.
This time, Roach stressed, it will be different.
“We have come out with a plan to counter his attack. So, if he goes on the ropes, it will be for a reason this time. We will set him up with a counter shot and I feel we will knock him out.”
This will be the 19th time that Pacquiao will be fighting on US soil, having fought the last time also at Cowboys Stadium last March against Joshua Clottey of Ghana.
Pacquiao is a huge 5-1 favorite to repulse Margarito’s challenge.
Nick Giongco, Manila Bulletin
