Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito Nov 13th, Cowboys Stadium
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http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/news/story?id=5789313
RLINGTON, Texas -- Antonio Margarito has repeatedly said he is sorry for a hand-wrapping scandal that almost ended his boxing career. Now his camp has had to apologize again, for something else only days before getting into the ring against Manny Pacquiao.
A video interview posted by Elie Seckbach of FanHouse recently raced across the Internet, in which Margarito and Brandon Rios -- both of whom are trained by Robert Garcia -- appear to mock the Parkinson's disease of Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach.
Before even talking about the junior middleweight title bout during a news conference Wednesday at Cowboys Stadium, Garcia first apologized for the video.
"This was nothing to do with the disease that Freddie Roach has. We know it's something that we don't wish [on] nobody," Garcia said Wednesday. "It's something personal, something between Team Pacquiao and Team Margarito. I just wanted to make that clear."
When Roach was at the podium a few minutes later, he didn't acknowledge what Garcia said or even refer to the video. After the formal program was completed, though, Roach said he wasn't buying Garcia's apology.
In the video, Margarito makes a twisted face and raises a shaking hand for the camera before it pans to Rios, who also makes faces and stutters while saying Pacquiao's name.
The video has since been edited to remove Rios and make it appear as though Margarito is doing a scared impression of Roach, who has routinely questioned Margarito's integrity following the hand-wrapping scandal nearly two years ago.
Garcia also takes part in the mockery by holding up a thick chunk of metal and telling Roach he'd better watch as Margarito's hands are wrapped so that it doesn't end up under the tape.
"They're so disrespectful to me and the hand pad issues. ... It's like a slap in the face, like 'we got caught with something, but we're still here fighting. ' I think it shows his true character. I don't think they are a good group of people," Roach said. "I'm not going to bother Manny Pacquiao with that. Manny doesn't hate anybody and so forth, but I do hate those guys."
Pacquiao said he hadn't seen the video.
Roach does plan to make sure Margarito is being watched when his hands are wrapped before Saturday night's bout. That's not a joke.
"I will watch him. I asked the [Texas] commission to have a person from my camp in their training room from start to finish, and they can do the same with me," Roach said, adding that his request was approved. "I don't trust those guys. He'll do anything to win. He's done it before. He's a cheater."
The bout will be Pacquiao's second at Cowboys Stadium, where more than 50,000 fans are expected to attend along with an expected pay-per-view audience of 1 million or more.
In March at the $1.2 billion showplace, Pacquiao dominated Joshua Clottey from the opening bell to retain his welterweight title with an unanimous decision.
Pacquiao has since been elected a congressman in his native Philippines, a job that initially seemed to be affecting his training for this fight. He even missed a day of workouts.
"Everything is back to normal," Roach said, declaring Pacquiao ready for the fight. "It was never physical. It was all mental. His mental focus wasn't there."
Margarito, the former welterweight champion, was approved to fight in Texas after being denied a license in California and having another application in Nevada tabled.
Promoter Bob Arum again Wednesday applauded the decision by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and defended Margarito. Both Pacquiao and Margarito fight under Arum's Top Rank banner.
"When other people in boxing, some other commissions feasted on innuendoes, lies and smears, this commission read the record, read every scrap from the California hearing to the appeals," Arum said. "For 18 months [Margarito] has gone through hell, but he's taken it like a man, he's accepted it and believe me on Saturday night he will give you the fight of his life."
Margarito hasn't fought in the United States since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps before a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.
Margarito's license along with that of his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, were revoked for at least one year by the California State Athletic Commission, a decision that was upheld by other states.
Margarito has repeatedly said he wasn't aware of the substance found in his hand wraps.
"I wrap guys every day," Roach said. "Believe me, if I put a rock in their hand, they would know it."
In his only fight since, Margarito won an unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia in Mexico in May.
While Garcia acknowledged that they were making fun of Roach in the video, he insisted that Rios didn't even know about the Parkinson's disease that affects Pacquiao's trainer. Garcia said the video was made about five weeks ago.
"He didn't even know Freddie had a disease," Garcia said. "He thought it was from 13 losses that Freddie Roach had when he was a professional boxer."
Roach said Margarito and Garcia have been nice to him in the past.
"But they stooped kind of low this time," Roach said. "They showed their true colors.
RLINGTON, Texas -- Antonio Margarito has repeatedly said he is sorry for a hand-wrapping scandal that almost ended his boxing career. Now his camp has had to apologize again, for something else only days before getting into the ring against Manny Pacquiao.
A video interview posted by Elie Seckbach of FanHouse recently raced across the Internet, in which Margarito and Brandon Rios -- both of whom are trained by Robert Garcia -- appear to mock the Parkinson's disease of Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach.
Before even talking about the junior middleweight title bout during a news conference Wednesday at Cowboys Stadium, Garcia first apologized for the video.
"This was nothing to do with the disease that Freddie Roach has. We know it's something that we don't wish [on] nobody," Garcia said Wednesday. "It's something personal, something between Team Pacquiao and Team Margarito. I just wanted to make that clear."
When Roach was at the podium a few minutes later, he didn't acknowledge what Garcia said or even refer to the video. After the formal program was completed, though, Roach said he wasn't buying Garcia's apology.
In the video, Margarito makes a twisted face and raises a shaking hand for the camera before it pans to Rios, who also makes faces and stutters while saying Pacquiao's name.
The video has since been edited to remove Rios and make it appear as though Margarito is doing a scared impression of Roach, who has routinely questioned Margarito's integrity following the hand-wrapping scandal nearly two years ago.
Garcia also takes part in the mockery by holding up a thick chunk of metal and telling Roach he'd better watch as Margarito's hands are wrapped so that it doesn't end up under the tape.
"They're so disrespectful to me and the hand pad issues. ... It's like a slap in the face, like 'we got caught with something, but we're still here fighting. ' I think it shows his true character. I don't think they are a good group of people," Roach said. "I'm not going to bother Manny Pacquiao with that. Manny doesn't hate anybody and so forth, but I do hate those guys."
Pacquiao said he hadn't seen the video.
Roach does plan to make sure Margarito is being watched when his hands are wrapped before Saturday night's bout. That's not a joke.
"I will watch him. I asked the [Texas] commission to have a person from my camp in their training room from start to finish, and they can do the same with me," Roach said, adding that his request was approved. "I don't trust those guys. He'll do anything to win. He's done it before. He's a cheater."
The bout will be Pacquiao's second at Cowboys Stadium, where more than 50,000 fans are expected to attend along with an expected pay-per-view audience of 1 million or more.
In March at the $1.2 billion showplace, Pacquiao dominated Joshua Clottey from the opening bell to retain his welterweight title with an unanimous decision.
Pacquiao has since been elected a congressman in his native Philippines, a job that initially seemed to be affecting his training for this fight. He even missed a day of workouts.
"Everything is back to normal," Roach said, declaring Pacquiao ready for the fight. "It was never physical. It was all mental. His mental focus wasn't there."
Margarito, the former welterweight champion, was approved to fight in Texas after being denied a license in California and having another application in Nevada tabled.
Promoter Bob Arum again Wednesday applauded the decision by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and defended Margarito. Both Pacquiao and Margarito fight under Arum's Top Rank banner.
"When other people in boxing, some other commissions feasted on innuendoes, lies and smears, this commission read the record, read every scrap from the California hearing to the appeals," Arum said. "For 18 months [Margarito] has gone through hell, but he's taken it like a man, he's accepted it and believe me on Saturday night he will give you the fight of his life."
Margarito hasn't fought in the United States since January 2009, when a plaster-like substance was found in his hand wraps before a fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.
Margarito's license along with that of his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, were revoked for at least one year by the California State Athletic Commission, a decision that was upheld by other states.
Margarito has repeatedly said he wasn't aware of the substance found in his hand wraps.
"I wrap guys every day," Roach said. "Believe me, if I put a rock in their hand, they would know it."
In his only fight since, Margarito won an unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia in Mexico in May.
While Garcia acknowledged that they were making fun of Roach in the video, he insisted that Rios didn't even know about the Parkinson's disease that affects Pacquiao's trainer. Garcia said the video was made about five weeks ago.
"He didn't even know Freddie had a disease," Garcia said. "He thought it was from 13 losses that Freddie Roach had when he was a professional boxer."
Roach said Margarito and Garcia have been nice to him in the past.
"But they stooped kind of low this time," Roach said. "They showed their true colors.
I just wrote a short "article" about this fight
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...arito-the-smoke-and-mirrors-of-pre-fight-hype
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...arito-the-smoke-and-mirrors-of-pre-fight-hype
Everytime I tried to see the video, it says it's been taken down.
Making fun of someone that has a disease like that is not right. Roach does talk a lot of trash but still..... making fun of his disease took it too far in my opinion.
Margarito may end up with the same disease if he keeps eating the right hands that he eats when he fights....
And then they tried to lie and say they didn't know... yeah right just like he didn't know he was using loaded gloves.
Making fun of someone that has a disease like that is not right. Roach does talk a lot of trash but still..... making fun of his disease took it too far in my opinion.
Margarito may end up with the same disease if he keeps eating the right hands that he eats when he fights....
And then they tried to lie and say they didn't know... yeah right just like he didn't know he was using loaded gloves.
Making fun of someone with a disease aint joking around. Thats just plain fucked up. There's a mature way to poke fun at people and that was the opposite of margarito and rios did.
You got any family with a disease? Would you tell your family member to take the stick out of his or her ass if they took it personally and was upset about it? I bet you wouldnt. I bet you'd wanna find that person or persons who made your family member feel that way and beat the living shit outta them. Thats exactly what Pacman finna do to Margarito. Wrap his ass up like a burrito.
You got any family with a disease? Would you tell your family member to take the stick out of his or her ass if they took it personally and was upset about it? I bet you wouldnt. I bet you'd wanna find that person or persons who made your family member feel that way and beat the living shit outta them. Thats exactly what Pacman finna do to Margarito. Wrap his ass up like a burrito.
It's not that it can't be funny to be honest but it's definitely distasteful. There's almost no way to make fun of someone that has it without pissing off every person that has it or knows someone that does, so that's not very bright to begin with
There's a scene from the new season of Curb your Enthusiasm where Michael J Fox bumps into Larry David and they stop and stare at each other and Larry says "Oh, was that the Parkinson's? (that caused you to bump into me)" That scene is messed up but it's still hilarious.
There's a scene from the new season of Curb your Enthusiasm where Michael J Fox bumps into Larry David and they stop and stare at each other and Larry says "Oh, was that the Parkinson's? (that caused you to bump into me)" That scene is messed up but it's still hilarious.
Yeah, Dwyer from Gambler's Advisory actually has Margarito winning via KO in the 5th round. He's usually on point with his predictions, and did a good breakdown here:
I don't think he accounted much for the huge difference in foot speed, which IMO is going to be one of the biggest deciding factors. I see a similar game plan for Margarito that they used with Oscar.
I don't think he accounted much for the huge difference in foot speed, which IMO is going to be one of the biggest deciding factors. I see a similar game plan for Margarito that they used with Oscar.
That's what I thought but I got thrown from my prediction by Manny supposedly having a crappy training camp which I think was a lie for the most part now.
I think one of 2 things will happen. Manny tries to do what he did to DLH which would work
Or he tries to counter all night and hits Margarito as hard as he possibly can each time. I think he kinda needs a knockout here to look most impressive
I think one of 2 things will happen. Manny tries to do what he did to DLH which would work
Or he tries to counter all night and hits Margarito as hard as he possibly can each time. I think he kinda needs a knockout here to look most impressive
• Devon Alexander (junior welterweight titlist): Pacquiao will win by decision by out-boxing Margarito. Margarito is going to be big and have a size advantage. He is going to come to fight and apply pressure early, but I think Pacquiao will make the adjustment and out-box him by using lateral movement and hand speed.
• Andre Berto (welterweight titlist): Pacquiao definitely has the advantage in speed, but Margarito is going to apply tremendous pressure so it's going to be a great fight. I think Pacquiao's speed is eventually going to win out, and he will come out with the victory.
• Timothy Bradley Jr. (junior welterweight titlist): Pacman wins by TKO in 3 rounds.
• Joshua Clottey (former welterweight titlist, who has losses to Pacquiao and Margarito): Pacquiao is going to win by hitting him with too many punches. I can tell by the interviews that Margarito thinks Pacquiao doesn't have the power because he is so small, but he does have the power. Because of this, Margarito will eventually turn the fight into a street fight, a do or die fight. This would not be good for Margarito because Pacquiao will then hit him with so many punches; Margarito will go down and Pacquiao will knock him out. To have a chance in the fight, Margarito needs to respect him in the ring by throwing jabs and fighting a smart fight. If he does this, he will have a slight chance of winning. A slight chance, but I don't think so.
• Miguel Cotto (junior middleweight titlist whose two losses are to Pacquiao and Margarito): I don't have a prediction for this fight. I will only say that will be a tough fight for both fighters.
• Yuri Foreman (former junior middleweight titlist): I pick Pacman, because he is more versatile; he has the advantage of speed and lateral movement. He is just overall a better boxer
• Roy Jones Jr. (former four-division champ): I love Pacquiao. He's a gifted talent in and out of the ring. If he's still as smart as usual, he should pull it out.
• Zab Judah (former undisputed welterweight champ): I will fight whoever the winner is.
• Peter Manfredo Jr. (middleweight contender): Having Freddy Roach in your corner is like having an army on your side. Having been trained by Freddy in the past, I know that no one gets his fighters more prepared. Pacman wins by majority decision.
• Paul Spadafora (former lightweight titlist): Pacquiao is too fast up the middle. Margarito is tailor-made for Pacquiao's style because he's too wide with his punches. Pacquiao will stop him in the later rounds.
• Dan Birmingham (two-time trainer of the year): I believe Pac will be too fast; his constant movement and work rate will be too much for Margarito. Margarito is strong and well conditioned, good chin, but he has problems with movers and quickness. My pick is Pac by stoppage by the ninth round.
• Kevin Cunningham (trains Alexander): Pacquiao will win by decision because of the hand speed. He is going to be too quick. He is going to be in-and-out, and he is going to use angles.
• Angelo Dundee (legendary cornerman and Hall of Famer): The style of Margarito is the style that gives a southpaw trouble. He comes forward, and the only way to fight a southpaw is to come forward. That is my interpretation. I trained a half dozen southpaws. I had a boxer named Andy Durell fight the greatest boxer of all time, Willie Pep, and he took it as a warm-up in Miami Beach. The southpaw gave him all the trouble he wanted, busted him up and everything and it was supposed to be an easy fight. Margarito has the style to give him ulcers. Margarito will be the biggest guy he has fought, and he will fight aggressively and throw punches from every angle. … It is a tough fight, and it wouldn't amaze me to see Margarito come away with a win.
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25 Boxing figures give their pac-marg predictions
Carson Jones (Oklahoma light-middleweight, was supposed to face Margarito in his comeback fight)
Pacman by knockout. Not only does he throw a high volume of punches, he lands a high volume.
Michael Jennings (former WBO welterweight title challenger)
I reckon Pacman round nine. I just think he is on fire at the minute, too fast, too fit and he has more grit than a snow waggon
John “Iceman” Scully (trainer)
Margarito-Pacman is a fight between men of two highly contrasting styles, in and out of the ring... a battle of two completely opposites styles and mindsets. The winner is going to be whichever man is able to implement his specific style, period. And it's no secret what each man must do. I'll go with Pacman to move side to side, constantly changing angles, picking his spots with precision and countering on the way to a stoppage, somewhere between eight and 11.
Adam Booth (trainer of WBA heavyweight champion David Haye and George Groves)
I think it's Manny's hardest ever fight… but because Margarito had his spirit broken by Mosley, I think Manny will stop him late or win on points. I'll go points.
Steve Bunce (writer and broadcaster)
Pacquiao wins on points. Too fast. He could even stop Margarito late. His speed and movement is too much for this Margarito. Pac on points.
John Murray (European lightweight champion)
Pacman on points. His speed will be too much.
George Groves (Commonwealth super-middleweight champion)
Pacman in round 10.
Joshua Clottey (has fought both men)
I think it's going to be a good fight but I know for sure Pacquiao is going to win. Not just because he beat me before but because he has more speed and he hits a bit harder than Margarito. Margarito doesn't have a great defence either. He's going to fight like 'do or die' and as a result, he'll get hit a lot. You have to understand how good Pacquiao is and that he has power because he's fought and beat bigger guys. If Margarito can understand that, it will be a good fight, but if he goes in there thinking it's 'do or die' I think he'll lose and Pacquiao might stop him.
Patrick Mendy (Prizefighter super-middleweight champion)
I have no doubt that Manny Pacquiao is going to win. He'll win on points because Margarito is tough.
Ryan Rhodes (WBC No. 4 light-middleweight)
Margarito looks in phenomenal condition, the best I've seen anybody looking two weeks before a fight. Pacquiao looks a little bit like he's been concentrating on politics. For all that happening I only see one winner - Pacquiao. Maybe points, maybe a late stoppage.
Andre Berto (WBC welterweight champion)
I think I stand with Pacquiao even though it doesn't look like he had too good of a camp. When fight time comes he's going to get excited and perform like he knows how to perform.
Tony Morgan (Andre Berto's trainer)
Before I figured Manny was way too fast and Manny's boxing ability was just going to give Margarito hell. But Margarito is a bulldog, he does not stop. I think Margarito will win I don't think he will stop him. But I think [Manny's] preparations have been tainted so much by Congress and other things.
Vivian Harris (former WBA light-welterweight champion)
Pacquiao is going to have more energy than Margarito so he could win it any way. I'll go for a KO but it's going to be a good fight.
Paulie Malignaggi (former IBF light-welterweight champion)
Pacquiao by decision. Too fast, too busy, yet shorter with his shots.
Joe Gallagher (John Murray's trainer)
Margarito to win. He won't get anything off the judges and he'll have to do it like he did Miguel Cotto, but he will win.
Devon Alexander (WBC light-welterweight champion)
It's gonna' be a good fight, not a blow-out. It'll definitely be better than Clottey. Margarito will throw shots and won't be scared to attack. I'm going for Pacquiao because he's faster and speed skills but Margarito has a slight chance. Pacquiao on points.
Eddie Chambers (former 'world' heavyweight title challenger)
I'm going for Pacquiao mainly because while Margarito's style is difficult for most fighters to overcome, Pacquiao throws a lot of punches too, and he throws them with power. He's also very fast and moves a lot. We've seen that Margarito can take a great punch - even Mosley's thunderous shots - but the amount Manny will throw - and land - will be too much for him to handle. I'll say a late stoppage - there's gonna' be too much punishment.
Steve Cunningham (IBF cruiserweight champion)
That's a tough one. Margarito has the size advantage and a great work ethic, but Pacquiao is special - strong, quick and as southpaw. If Manny wins it's gonna' be by stoppage but if Margarito wins it'll be by decision. I'd pick Manny if it was my last dollar.
Cameron Dunkin (fight manager)
You've put me in a tough spot - my best friend Robert Garcia has Margarito of course. Pacquiao is gonna' win though I picked Cotto. Despite all the rumours I like the speed of Pacquiao. Pacquiao can find a way to win, he can stop him after some real tough going.
Lou DiBella (promoter)
As much as it truly pains me to say this - because I don't think Margarito deserves this situation - I make him a very live underdog. His whole life will change if he wins, economically, physically he's much bigger and I've long concluded that Pacquiao will eventually lose to someone much bigger. With the personal appearences, TV shows and everything, I wonder if he is as fit and 100 per cent hungry as he usually is. That said, Pacquiao by a close decision but it would be no surprise if Margarito pulled an upset.
Nathan Cleverly (WBO No. 1 light-heavyweight)
I'm thinking Pacman on points. He could possibly cut Margarito up and stop him late but a more likely outcome is points. He will bring his speed up and have too much movement. Margarito is strong and tough but too slow on his legs for Pacquiao.
Dave Coldwell (Ryan Rhodes' trainer)
Pacman wins! I don't think Margarito is the same force and if 38-year-old Shane Mosley can outspeed him and bust him up, I think Manny's footspeed, combined with his lightning-fast power-punches, will keep the bigger man at bay for a comfortable, but always intriguing points win.
Steve Molitor (IBF super-bantamweight champion)
I have to say Pacquiao with his speed early on but it will get tougher as the fight goes on with Margarito's size playing a role. It should be a war in the middle rounds. Pacquiao by unanimous decision or late stoppage.
Mike Marley (veteran boxing reporter)
Pacquiao will win it but Margarito will have some moments in an entertaining bout. Manny's foot and handspeed will be too much for a guy who lost to the likes of Rodney Jones and Larry Dixon. Manny on points, unanimous and Marga(cheato) may take a pounding in rounds 11 and 12.
Bernd Boente (Managing Director, Klitschko Management Group)
Pacquiao wins inside the distance because he's the better all-round boxer, puncher and he's more experienced. He has in my eyes the better nerves so if he's well prepared and focused he'll win by KO or TKO.
• Andre Berto (welterweight titlist): Pacquiao definitely has the advantage in speed, but Margarito is going to apply tremendous pressure so it's going to be a great fight. I think Pacquiao's speed is eventually going to win out, and he will come out with the victory.
• Timothy Bradley Jr. (junior welterweight titlist): Pacman wins by TKO in 3 rounds.
• Joshua Clottey (former welterweight titlist, who has losses to Pacquiao and Margarito): Pacquiao is going to win by hitting him with too many punches. I can tell by the interviews that Margarito thinks Pacquiao doesn't have the power because he is so small, but he does have the power. Because of this, Margarito will eventually turn the fight into a street fight, a do or die fight. This would not be good for Margarito because Pacquiao will then hit him with so many punches; Margarito will go down and Pacquiao will knock him out. To have a chance in the fight, Margarito needs to respect him in the ring by throwing jabs and fighting a smart fight. If he does this, he will have a slight chance of winning. A slight chance, but I don't think so.
• Miguel Cotto (junior middleweight titlist whose two losses are to Pacquiao and Margarito): I don't have a prediction for this fight. I will only say that will be a tough fight for both fighters.
• Yuri Foreman (former junior middleweight titlist): I pick Pacman, because he is more versatile; he has the advantage of speed and lateral movement. He is just overall a better boxer
• Roy Jones Jr. (former four-division champ): I love Pacquiao. He's a gifted talent in and out of the ring. If he's still as smart as usual, he should pull it out.
• Zab Judah (former undisputed welterweight champ): I will fight whoever the winner is.
• Peter Manfredo Jr. (middleweight contender): Having Freddy Roach in your corner is like having an army on your side. Having been trained by Freddy in the past, I know that no one gets his fighters more prepared. Pacman wins by majority decision.
• Paul Spadafora (former lightweight titlist): Pacquiao is too fast up the middle. Margarito is tailor-made for Pacquiao's style because he's too wide with his punches. Pacquiao will stop him in the later rounds.
• Dan Birmingham (two-time trainer of the year): I believe Pac will be too fast; his constant movement and work rate will be too much for Margarito. Margarito is strong and well conditioned, good chin, but he has problems with movers and quickness. My pick is Pac by stoppage by the ninth round.
• Kevin Cunningham (trains Alexander): Pacquiao will win by decision because of the hand speed. He is going to be too quick. He is going to be in-and-out, and he is going to use angles.
• Angelo Dundee (legendary cornerman and Hall of Famer): The style of Margarito is the style that gives a southpaw trouble. He comes forward, and the only way to fight a southpaw is to come forward. That is my interpretation. I trained a half dozen southpaws. I had a boxer named Andy Durell fight the greatest boxer of all time, Willie Pep, and he took it as a warm-up in Miami Beach. The southpaw gave him all the trouble he wanted, busted him up and everything and it was supposed to be an easy fight. Margarito has the style to give him ulcers. Margarito will be the biggest guy he has fought, and he will fight aggressively and throw punches from every angle. … It is a tough fight, and it wouldn't amaze me to see Margarito come away with a win.
______________________
25 Boxing figures give their pac-marg predictions
Carson Jones (Oklahoma light-middleweight, was supposed to face Margarito in his comeback fight)
Pacman by knockout. Not only does he throw a high volume of punches, he lands a high volume.
Michael Jennings (former WBO welterweight title challenger)
I reckon Pacman round nine. I just think he is on fire at the minute, too fast, too fit and he has more grit than a snow waggon
John “Iceman” Scully (trainer)
Margarito-Pacman is a fight between men of two highly contrasting styles, in and out of the ring... a battle of two completely opposites styles and mindsets. The winner is going to be whichever man is able to implement his specific style, period. And it's no secret what each man must do. I'll go with Pacman to move side to side, constantly changing angles, picking his spots with precision and countering on the way to a stoppage, somewhere between eight and 11.
Adam Booth (trainer of WBA heavyweight champion David Haye and George Groves)
I think it's Manny's hardest ever fight… but because Margarito had his spirit broken by Mosley, I think Manny will stop him late or win on points. I'll go points.
Steve Bunce (writer and broadcaster)
Pacquiao wins on points. Too fast. He could even stop Margarito late. His speed and movement is too much for this Margarito. Pac on points.
John Murray (European lightweight champion)
Pacman on points. His speed will be too much.
George Groves (Commonwealth super-middleweight champion)
Pacman in round 10.
Joshua Clottey (has fought both men)
I think it's going to be a good fight but I know for sure Pacquiao is going to win. Not just because he beat me before but because he has more speed and he hits a bit harder than Margarito. Margarito doesn't have a great defence either. He's going to fight like 'do or die' and as a result, he'll get hit a lot. You have to understand how good Pacquiao is and that he has power because he's fought and beat bigger guys. If Margarito can understand that, it will be a good fight, but if he goes in there thinking it's 'do or die' I think he'll lose and Pacquiao might stop him.
Patrick Mendy (Prizefighter super-middleweight champion)
I have no doubt that Manny Pacquiao is going to win. He'll win on points because Margarito is tough.
Ryan Rhodes (WBC No. 4 light-middleweight)
Margarito looks in phenomenal condition, the best I've seen anybody looking two weeks before a fight. Pacquiao looks a little bit like he's been concentrating on politics. For all that happening I only see one winner - Pacquiao. Maybe points, maybe a late stoppage.
Andre Berto (WBC welterweight champion)
I think I stand with Pacquiao even though it doesn't look like he had too good of a camp. When fight time comes he's going to get excited and perform like he knows how to perform.
Tony Morgan (Andre Berto's trainer)
Before I figured Manny was way too fast and Manny's boxing ability was just going to give Margarito hell. But Margarito is a bulldog, he does not stop. I think Margarito will win I don't think he will stop him. But I think [Manny's] preparations have been tainted so much by Congress and other things.
Vivian Harris (former WBA light-welterweight champion)
Pacquiao is going to have more energy than Margarito so he could win it any way. I'll go for a KO but it's going to be a good fight.
Paulie Malignaggi (former IBF light-welterweight champion)
Pacquiao by decision. Too fast, too busy, yet shorter with his shots.
Joe Gallagher (John Murray's trainer)
Margarito to win. He won't get anything off the judges and he'll have to do it like he did Miguel Cotto, but he will win.
Devon Alexander (WBC light-welterweight champion)
It's gonna' be a good fight, not a blow-out. It'll definitely be better than Clottey. Margarito will throw shots and won't be scared to attack. I'm going for Pacquiao because he's faster and speed skills but Margarito has a slight chance. Pacquiao on points.
Eddie Chambers (former 'world' heavyweight title challenger)
I'm going for Pacquiao mainly because while Margarito's style is difficult for most fighters to overcome, Pacquiao throws a lot of punches too, and he throws them with power. He's also very fast and moves a lot. We've seen that Margarito can take a great punch - even Mosley's thunderous shots - but the amount Manny will throw - and land - will be too much for him to handle. I'll say a late stoppage - there's gonna' be too much punishment.
Steve Cunningham (IBF cruiserweight champion)
That's a tough one. Margarito has the size advantage and a great work ethic, but Pacquiao is special - strong, quick and as southpaw. If Manny wins it's gonna' be by stoppage but if Margarito wins it'll be by decision. I'd pick Manny if it was my last dollar.
Cameron Dunkin (fight manager)
You've put me in a tough spot - my best friend Robert Garcia has Margarito of course. Pacquiao is gonna' win though I picked Cotto. Despite all the rumours I like the speed of Pacquiao. Pacquiao can find a way to win, he can stop him after some real tough going.
Lou DiBella (promoter)
As much as it truly pains me to say this - because I don't think Margarito deserves this situation - I make him a very live underdog. His whole life will change if he wins, economically, physically he's much bigger and I've long concluded that Pacquiao will eventually lose to someone much bigger. With the personal appearences, TV shows and everything, I wonder if he is as fit and 100 per cent hungry as he usually is. That said, Pacquiao by a close decision but it would be no surprise if Margarito pulled an upset.
Nathan Cleverly (WBO No. 1 light-heavyweight)
I'm thinking Pacman on points. He could possibly cut Margarito up and stop him late but a more likely outcome is points. He will bring his speed up and have too much movement. Margarito is strong and tough but too slow on his legs for Pacquiao.
Dave Coldwell (Ryan Rhodes' trainer)
Pacman wins! I don't think Margarito is the same force and if 38-year-old Shane Mosley can outspeed him and bust him up, I think Manny's footspeed, combined with his lightning-fast power-punches, will keep the bigger man at bay for a comfortable, but always intriguing points win.
Steve Molitor (IBF super-bantamweight champion)
I have to say Pacquiao with his speed early on but it will get tougher as the fight goes on with Margarito's size playing a role. It should be a war in the middle rounds. Pacquiao by unanimous decision or late stoppage.
Mike Marley (veteran boxing reporter)
Pacquiao will win it but Margarito will have some moments in an entertaining bout. Manny's foot and handspeed will be too much for a guy who lost to the likes of Rodney Jones and Larry Dixon. Manny on points, unanimous and Marga(cheato) may take a pounding in rounds 11 and 12.
Bernd Boente (Managing Director, Klitschko Management Group)
Pacquiao wins inside the distance because he's the better all-round boxer, puncher and he's more experienced. He has in my eyes the better nerves so if he's well prepared and focused he'll win by KO or TKO.