'Manny will fall in later rounds'

By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)



MANILA, Philippines
- Antonio Margarito’s trainer isn’t taking things sitting down.

After Freddie Roach predicted that Manny Pacquiao is going to knock Margarito out, Robert Garcia threw jabs of his own, saying it’s the Mexican who will come out the winner on Nov. 13.



Even if he said he’s not in the business of making predictions.

“I never called fights or predicted anything. I just know that Margarito will have the heart and the power and the conditioning to be a great champion and to beat anybody out there,” Garcia told boxingscene.com.

Garcia, the former IBF super-featherweight champion who now has a growing list of boxers under his wings, including Filipinos Brian Villoria and Nonito Donaire Jr., said Pacquiao’s end will come in the later rounds.

“I think we can get him in the later rounds. So, I’m going to say that maybe Antonio stops him in the later rounds,” said the 35-year-old Garcia, a little more specific than Roach who simply said they’ll win by knockout.

Garcia said he knows what to do, and Margarito, the former welterweight champion, will do it.

“I’ve been watching Manny’s fights. I’ve been watching Freddie Roach also. I think I’ve got a good idea about how they’re going to fight against us. I think that we have a great chance,” added Margarito’s chief handler.

Maybe a greater chance that what Pacquiao’s opponents over the last five years carried with them into the ring.

Pacquiao has never lost a fight since dropping a bloody decision to Erik Morales in March of 2005. He has won his last 12 fights, eight of them by knockout, and Margarito may need more than a “great chance” to beat him.

Garcia said Margarito will do a better job than when he defeated Roberto Garcia in Mexico some weeks back. It was his comeback fight following a United States-wide suspension due to illegal hand wraps.

“That was his first fight with me and he did what I asked him to do,” added the trainer, who wants Margarito to work for 10 weeks as they prepare for the Pacquiao fight, one that could actually go either way.

Garcia also said Margarito should have no problems making 150 lb if that’s the catchweight Pacquiao wants for the fight where the vacant WBC super-welterweight (154 lb) crown will be at stake.

“One-fifty is no problem for Antonio,” said Garcia, adding that two weeks before his last fight, the Mexican fighter who stands very close to six feet was already on the weight limit.

“So, he had no problem making that weight. So, he will be a very strong fighter in there against Manny Pacquiao.”

That remains to be seen.
READ MORE...






Download POWCAST toolbar

Want to Earn Extra Cash

Increase traffic to your site now!

Traffic G

Link Referral

Link Reviewer