Camp Antonio Margarito

In seeing Antonio Margarito last week at the gym, it's clear that he is in a good place mentally and physically. His disposition and mood are even better than prior to his bout with Miguel Cotto in 2008. And in terms of his physical conditioning, well, let's just put it this way, if the 150-pound catchweight is an advantage for anyone, it will be him. Not only is Margarito still just basically a very big welterweight now, you're not even forcing him to shave off the last three pounds- which every boxer I've spoken with believes are the hardest to cut. Red More...

 

 

 

credits: doghouseboxing.com

 

Watch Manny Pacquiao Next Fight

Pacquiao spotted training in Quezon City while Mayweather remains incognito

It’s almost hard to believe how much intrigue a possible clash between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has lost in recent months. Floyd has seen his life spiral out of control in well-documented fashion while Pacquiao is now focusing on a November 13th date with Antonio Margarito in which he will challenge the Tijuana fighter for the vacant WBC junior middleweight championship of the world.

Pacquiao was recently spotted working out with trainer Freddie Roach at the Elorde Gym in Manila’s Quezon City in the Philippines. Having not seen his charge for roughly half a year, Roach came away pleased with his fighter’s mindset during their light training routine.

<--- Slideshow: Pacquiao spotted training in Quezon City

“We had a very good start," Roach told GMANews. “We didn’t rest in between rounds. Manny already knows what to do with that guy (Margarito)."

Roach arrived with two of Pacquiao’s sparring mates, New Jersey-based prospect Glen Tapia and Michael Media, who were also present at the gym. The team will make their way to the mountains of Baguio City to begin full preparation either Wednesday or Thursday.

Recently while in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum advised Roach that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would not be making the trip to the Philippines as expected. However in recent days it has been reported that the 24-year old Sinaloa, Mexico fighter will indeed be coming to camp, just a few weeks later than the rest of the crew.

As for the Las Vegas-based Mayweather, people are still up in arms over his recent struggles, including a Ustream tirade against Pacquiao as well the recent dilemma he faces after being charged with various counts of larceny and assault after the mother of three of his children, Josie Harris, claimed the fighter physically attacked her in front of his children on September 10th.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are obviously in different places right now in their lives and come mid-November we will have a better understanding of both of their futures. Mayweather’s court date is scheduled for November 9th while Pacquiao meets Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas just four days later.

credits: examiner.com

Manny, why not build Pacquiao Boxing Gym now?

by Al S. Mendoza

FREDDIE Roach has his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California.

The late, lamented Gabriel “Flash” Elorde has his Elorde Boxing Gym through his wife, Laura. It has branches all over Metro Manila.

And what about Manny Pacquiao?

None. Nada.

No Pacquiao Boxing Gym in Manila, in Cebu, in Davao, in Baguio, in Bacolod, in Cagayan de Oro, in Sarangani, or even in his hometown GenSan.

Pacquiao usually trains at the Wild Card Gym when in LA.

He now trains at the Elorde Boxing Gym for the Antonio Margarito fight in November at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

He has picked the Elorde Boxing Gym branch in Quezon City, not far from Congress, because he says he doesn’t want to absent himself from his brand-new job as congressman from Sarangani Province.

He plans, though, to motor up shortly to Baguio for the majority of his training for the Margarito bout set Nov. 14 (Manila Time).

Although the clash is at a catch weight 151 lb, Pacquiao and Margarito will slug it out for the World Boxing Council super welterweight crown (154 lb).

Nowadays, catch weight fights have become a dozen a dime, a worldwide fad after Pacquiao crashed into the scene ballooning from one weight to another a la Incredible Hulk.

No fighter since beak-busting was invented has come closer to what Pacquiao has achieved: From a skinny 106-pounder in 1996, he has expanded to 147 to become the only boxer ever to capture seven world titles in seven different divisions.

A win over Margarito—which isn’t far-fetched as, this early, Pacquiao has been installed the 5-1 favorite—would make Manny an eight-time world champion.

I don’t know of anyone today who could even come close to surpassing that, or equaling the feat. Not in this millennium, I guess.

Anyway, about that gym Pacquiao needs to train on each time he has a fight coming.

Why doesn’t he build his own and name it The Pacquiao Boxing Gym?

To one as wealthy as Pacquiao, he might even build not just one but two, three or even four gyms in Metro Manila. Better yet, he should put up one each in the major cities in the country.

He’d surely help reduce the nation’s unemployment problem. Retired boxers could work as his gym trainers.

This brilliant idea isn’t mine but Ricky Sadiwa’s.

Ricky is an ardent Pacman fan, who does gym boxing regularly for exercise. Ricky, an IT expert, has considerably trimmed down his frame since he picked up the sport some weeks back.

For Reli de Leon, though, the expert marketing man, a Freddie Roach Boxing Gym in the country might be a better idea.

“It sure would even appeal to the AB crowd, Al,” he said.

I believe him. That would be grist for another future column.

Meanwhile, for his idea, Ricky, if ever Pacquiao finally decides to put up a Pacquiao Boxing Gym, has one request: “If I put up my own Pacquiao Boxing Gym, I pray that Mr. Pacquiao waives the franchise fee?”

If only for your idea, that’s not too much to ask of Pacman, I guess.

And I’ll even lawyer for you, Ricky.

To begin with, to a billionaire like Manny, the franchise fee will just be a drop in the bucket.

He’ll even be present to cut the ribbon during the inaugural opening of your brainchild.

Wanna bet?

* * *

GUESS WHAT. When in Bacolod, it’s a crime not to eat at the famous Bacolod Chicken House owned by Beatlemaniac Joe & Pat Cajili. Thus, balikbayans Ric and Tessie Almiranez of New York City were there last week and enjoyed their grilled chicken “up to the last bone,” in the company of Ramon and May Uy, Marvin and Pia Velayo, Ramon’s balikbayan sis Fely (also from NY), Baby Velayo and writer Sol F. Juvida. Incidentally, Ric and Tessie will fly back to NY tomorrow and I wish the lovely couple a safe trip back home. Bon voyage and till we meet again.

credits: manilastandardtoday.com

Pacman training in Manila

By Nick Giongco
Photos: Nick Giongco

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao showed up for training Tuesday afternoon for the second straight day at the Elorde Boxing Gym on Del Monte Ave. in Quezon City in preparation for his Nov. 13 duel with Antonio Margarito in Dallas.

Pacquiao hit the mitts with training assistant Buboy Fernandez guiding his every move in the absence of Freddie Roach, who is expected to arrive in Manila towards the end of the week.

Pacquiao will train possibly until next week at the Elorde Boxing Gym owned and operated by Johnny Elorde, son of the late great Flash Elorde, before heading to Baguio City.

The 31-year-old Filipino said he has Margarito all figured out.

The Pacquiao-Margarito battle for the vacant WBC super-welterweight crown is being presented by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. and Texas billionaire Jerry Jones.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza is already in town and is expected to be in Pacquiao’s training sessions in the next few days.

After the workout, Pacquiao got dressed and headed back to the Batasang Pambansa (House of Representatives) to attend to his lawmaking duties.

credits: fightnews.com

Pacquiao-Margarito Analysis

By Robert Elmore: On November 13th, Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito will duke it out for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight title. Many in the boxing public think this is a cake walk for Pacquiao while others say Margarito’s height, reach and size will be the difference. I have carefully watched fights to help me draw my analysis.

Pacquiao can win this fight if:

He gets inside land quickly and gets back out with taking severe punishment. Once inside, he Must land body shots. This will weaken Margarito and eventually bring his hands down enabling Pac to land punches upstairs. He also must be selective with his punches. He can not afford to just wing punches everywhere. He must make them count. Against Oscar De la Hoya, Pacquiao was very smart in picking his shots. He threw only 333 punches and landed 159; landing 59% overall.

In his fight against Miguel Cotto in 2009, Manny threw and landed a little bit more. He threw 560 and landed 276. In Pacquiao’s fight with Joshua Clottey in March, there was really no comparison. Pacquiao threw 1231 punches, but only landed 232. This was because Clottey didn’t fight back. The down size about these two fights is that Cotto had very little foot work and his defense was suspect (i.e. the Margarito fight suffering cuts and bleeding; It was the same result for the Pacquiao fight) De la Hoya fought a weight class he hadn’t fought in 9 years. Be that as it may, De La Hoya took the fight, knowing what it could cost him. Pacquiao also must develop some kind of jab to get him inside to do his thing. It doesn’t have to an a great jab either; just one to get him inside of Margarito’s reach.

The good news for Pacquiao is that Margarito’s defense is super suspect, as he often plows ahead, takes 3 to 4 punches to land one big one. So Pac will land punches. According to compu-box stats, Cotto was able to land 45 % of his power punches (179) against the taller Margarito. That’s very high.

Margarito can win if: He develops a jab to keep Pacquiao at bay and set up his other punches. Like I stated above, it doesn’t have to be a Larry Holmes type jab because of Margarito brawling style, but just one good enough to make Pacquiao think whenever he tries to bum rush him. He must also make Pacquiao pay for the punches he misses by counter punching him and going to the body. Erik Morales was able to control the fight with Pacquiao using his jab (couldn’t find punch stats for that fight) and counter punching and body shots. If Margarito chooses to go this route, He Must Stay Discipline! He can not go off track and returned to his old ways. He can’t stand in front of Pacquiao either and he must develop better defense. Yes, Margarito has the size, the reach, and the strength, but these meaning NOTHING, if he doesn’t know how to use them.

Intangibles: Pacquiao will establish a quick tempo and try to jump on his man early, hopefully to build up points, frustrate Margarito, and get him out his game plan in rounds 1-3. I’ve seen Pacquiao get a little winded in fights when he’s just winging punches. But I believe he will select his punches very well. The first round is crucial for Antonio. He must be head strong!!! Don’t fall into the Pacquiao trap; Use the jab and have some type of foot work rather than just plowing straight in. Had the fight between he Cotto gone the distance, Cotto would have won on points.

Prediction:Margarito eats too many punches. Unless we see something very unusual from him, he will be over whelmed by Pacquiao. Manny wins by TKO.

credits: boxingnews24.com

Antonio Margarito and Juanma Lopez spotted in Las Vegas as Yuriorkis Gamboa and others weigh in

Earlier today at the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada the weigh in for tomorrow night’s Yuriorkis Gamboa-Orlando Salido unification card was held. Gamboa, the 28-year old WBA champion from Cuba, could be in line to face WBO boss Juan Manuel Lopez in 2011 if he is victorious. As is the custom with many of their fights, Lopez was spotted at the weigh in to show support to Gamboa in hopes that they can one day meet under very lucrative settings.

Also turning heads was former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who is in the city with his trainer Robert Garcia. Garcia trains lightweight contender Brandon ‘Boom Boom’ Rios who has a WBA eliminator against very dangerous Anthony Peterson in the HBO-televised co-feature. Margarito has a huge November 13th clash with Manny Pacquiao coming up and found himself swarmed by reporters and fans alike.

Also on Saturday’s undercard will be lightweight sensation Jose Benavidez, former Notre Dame Alum Mike Lee, and Las Vegas prospect Diego Magdaleno. For a picture by picture look at all the action please continue on to the slideshow below…

Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached atTrimond@aol.com

credits: examiner.com

Pacquiao to apply Cotto training regimen vs Margarito

Against the biggest opponent he'll ever face in his career, Manny Pacquiao is applying the same kind of training regimen he did in beating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao believes two months of intense training – the first half in the mountains of Baguio and the final leg at the comforts of the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles – will be good enough for him to get in shape for his November 13 title bout with the massive and ever dangerous Antonio Margarito.

Training camp begins on September 20 at the Cooyesan Hotel in the country's summer capital, the same place where a built-in ring was made to accommodate Pacquiao and his entourage while preparing for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight fight against Cotto last year.

One by one, Pacquiao's training team will come over here, starting with conditioning coach Alex Ariza on September 13, and then followed by chief trainer Freddie Roach and sparring partner Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

"We'll follow the same routine when I was training for my fight against Cotto," said Pacquiao when GMANews.TV caught up with him at the New World Hotel late Wednesday during the Development Partners’ Night, a fund raising event the boxing star hosted for the planned establishment of the district hospital in the province of Sarangani, where he also serves as congressman.

Pacquiao beat Cotto in their 2009 meeting at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, pulling off a technical knockout win in the 12th round of a bloody and action-packed match.

Margarito, who stands 5-foot-11, also owns an impressive knockout win over Cotto two years ago, a result that later would be tainted in the light of the illegal hand wrapping scandal the Mexican boxing star from Tijuana got involved with moments before his title bout with Sugar Shane Mosley.

Unlike Cotto and Joshua Clottey – the last two men Pacquiao fought in the ring – the 31-year-old Filipino ring idol admitted not having seen Margarito fought in person.

Still that doesn't make him bothered opposite the man they dubbed the 'Tijuana Tornado.'

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, one of Pacquiao's closest advisors, however, feels differently.

Atienza considers the 32-year old Mexican brawler a very dangerous opponent for the Pacman, even going to the extent of referring to him as a 'mountain.'

"He's a mountain. Manny needs to prepare hard for this fight. The guy's a giant," Atienza told GMANews.TV during the same fund-raising affair.

"It's going to be a tough fight, so Manny has to prepare hard against Margarito. I'm a bit worried, but I know Manny can beat him," added the former Manila mayor. –

credits: JVP, GMANews.TV

Margarito has to fight like he was taught by Capetillo if he wants to beat Pacquiao

By Jason Kim:Since Antonio Margarito has been looking like a shell of his former self in the past two fights, he has to get back to the basics and go back to the teaching of his old trainer Javier Capetillo if he wants to beat Manny Pacquiao on November 13th at the Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas. It’s too bad Bob Arum waited until Margarito was struggling and looking almost shot before putting Margarito in with Pacquiao. However, maybe Margarito can go back to his old form if he trains hard enough, throws a lot of punches and fights aggressively against Pacquiao.

In his loss to Shane Mosley last year, Margarito simply looked too slow and didn’t have any ideas how to deal with Mosley’s in and out attacks and strategic clinching. But now that a year has passed, Margarito should have trained enough to deal with that kind of style of fighting because that’s how Pacquiao is going to be fighting him. Pacquiao isn’t just going to stand in front of Margarito for 12 rounds like Manny did in his win over Joshua Clottey in March.

In his last fight against Roberto Garcia in May, Margarito defeated Garcia by a 10 round decision to capture the little known WBC International Light Middleweight title. Margarito boxed Garcia and looked like a completely different fighter from what he used to be. Instead of throwing a lot of punches, Margarito boxed Garcia for most of the fight and settled for a dull 10 round decision.

It wasn’t thrilling stuff and it was hard to imagine that Margarito could be a quality fighter using that new style. One can hope that Margarito isn’t foolish enough to think he can out-box Pacquiao in November using that style of fighting because Margarito doesn’t seem suited for it. He may be able to beat a guy like Garcia by boxing him, but it won’t work against Pacquiao. For him to have chance of beating Pacquiao, Margarito has to use Capetillo’s style of throwing a lot of punches, putting a lot of pressure on Pacquiao and hope that he can wear the smaller Pacquiao down over 12 rounds.

Clottey seemed to be getting to Pacquiao with his superior size in his March fight, but Clottey failed to throw enough punches to win the fight. Margarito has to go back to his 2008 style of fighting if he wants to beat Pacquiao and I’m not sure he can. Margarito looks bigger with his upper body than he was back in 2008, and all that extra muscle seems to have slowed Margarito down in terms of being able to throw a lot of shots.

Margarito has to go back to his brawling style of fighting because that’s what got him to this point and the only style that he seems to be good at. It may not work in beating Pacquiao, but it’s only chance. He’s not going to be able to out-box Pacquiao, that’s for sure.

credits: boxingnews24.com

Antonio Margarito’s Trainer Says He’ll Wrap Fighter’s Hands in Front of Pacquiao

In an effort to dispel rumors that Antonio Margarito might try to load his hand wraps with illegal substance or objects when he squares off with Manny Pacquiao, trainer Robert Garcia said he will invite the Filipino boxer to watch him wrap Margarito’s hands.

Pacquiao said he will designate someone on fight night to closely watch Margarito’s hand wrapping before the bout for the vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight title.

Robert Garcia, Margarito’s new trainer, said, “I’ll wrap those hands right in front of Manny Pacquiao himself if he wants to come watch.”

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum picked Margarito as Pacquiao’s opponent after the astute promoter failed to to make a deal with Floyd Mayweather, Jr for Pacquiao’s scheduled November fight.

During the press conference held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Pacquiao was asked about the hand wraps controversy and he said he believes Margarito knew of the loaded hand wraps.

“Of course, I believe Margarito knew, he is the one who wraps his hands” Pacquiao said.

Margarito’s choice as Pacquiao’s opponent drew firestorm from boxing fans around the world as they recall how Margarito figured in the illegal hand wraps controversy during his fight with Shane Mosley in January last year.

The controversy started when Shane Mosley fought Margarito almost two years ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Shane Mosley could have been badly injured or killed if his trainer and an Inspector of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) failed to discover a substance that was inserted inside Margarito’s gloves minutes before he climbed in the ring to face Mosley in January 2009.

The substance, it turned out, was Plaster of Paris inserted inside Margarito’s right hand glove.

The substance turns into a hard cast once it gets exposed. It becomes harder than rock and could definitely kill, especially when used with the boxer’s awesome power.

Margarito maintains he has no prior knowledge of the illegal hand wraps but boxing regulators and fans say otherwise.

In the meantime, his trainer Jose Capetillo, who admitted having placed the illegal substance inside Margarito’s hand wraps has been banned from boxing in the US for life.

Credits: Bleacher Report

LIVE STREAM OF “PACQUIAO VS. MARGARITO” DALLAS COWBOYS STADIUM PRESSER

The final stop of the 3-city press tour for the upcoming November 13, Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito boxing event at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, will be Friday at the Cowboys venue.

Jerry Jones the owner of the NFL Cowboys will host the September 3, 2010 Pacquiao vs. Margarito press event. Bob Arum and Top Rank Promotions in association with HBO Sports are promoting and broadcasting this Pay-per-view event. HBO will also have an HBO 24/7 series for Pacquiao-Margarito debuting on Oct. 23.

Manny Pacquiao will be going for his 8th weight division world title (WBC 154-pound Jr. Middleweight Title) against the controversial boxer from Tijuana, Antonio Margarito, who will be fighting for the first time in the United States since his 2009 suspension for having illegal inserts in his handwraps prior to his fight with Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

The Live Stream begins at 12:25 PM ET and you can view it on http://www.toprank.com/

credits: nowboxing.com