Pacquiao to stay within fight weight

source: Nick Giongco | mb.com.ph

Manny Pacquiao won’t stray too far from the super-welterweight limit of 154 lbs when he meets Antonio Margarito of Mexico on November 13.

“Manny should weigh in around 149, 150 lbs,” said Pacquiao’s strength coach Alex Ariza, aware that a catch weight of 151 lbs has been agreed upon by both camps.

 
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said the Pacquiao-Margarito showdown will be for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) titlebelt with the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas as likely venue.

Formal announcement is expected before the end of the week and a short press tour will start with a kickoff press conference on August 31 in Dallas.

There will also be similar media affairs in New York and Los Angeles, then Pacquiao will head back to the Philippines as he awaits the arrival of Freddie Roach.

Ariza is joining Roach on a trip to Manila on September 13 to kick off an eight-week training camp for Pacquiao in a gym somewhere in Quezon City so the fighter can still travel without hassle to his other work in the House of Representatives.

Being tapped to serve as one of the sparring partners is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., whose height and style suits Pacquiao fine.

Chavez Jr., the son of Mexican legend Julio Cesar Sr., stands about 6-1, while Margarito is a shade below six feet.

Ariza said Pacquiao won’t bulk up much following the weighin and the Los Angeles-based Colombian native believes that Pacquiao would be 153 or 154 lbs by the time he answers the bell for Margarito.