MOST OVERBLOWN
Concern for Pacquiao: Word out of the Philippines was that Manny Pacquiao is distracted by his outside responsibilities, including his work in the Filipino congress. He supposedly had fallen behind in his training, in part because of a typhoon. Cause for concern? C?mon. Pacquaio and trainer Freddie Roach have been at this for more than nine years. They know exactly what is required for him to reach peak performance and wouldn?t accept anything less. Pacquaio is human, which means he fallible, but he?s also as focused and dedicated as any fighter in the world. The chaos has never hindered him before; why should it do so now? He?ll be 100 percent when he steps into the ring to face Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13.
MOST CONTRADICTORY
Hand-wrap debate: A dour Margarito was very convincing in defending himself during the first Pacquiao-Margairto 24/7 episode on HBO, explaining with apparent sincerity that he had no idea that trainer Javier Capetillo placed illegal pads in his hand wraps before his fight against Shane Mosley. I wanted to believe him even if I find that very difficult. Then Pacquaio made anyone who might accept Margarito?s story as the truth look like an idiot, explaining that fighters aren?t so na?ve as to overlook what is placed on their hands. So who is right? We?ll still be asking that question long after Margarito retires. And we?ll never get a definitive answer.
MOST AMBITIOUS
Guillermo Rigondeax: The Cuban defector, who faces Ricardo Cordoba for a 122-pound interim title on the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard, and his handlers believe the two-time Olympic gold medalist is ready for a real title fight. What?s unusual about that? He has had six professional fights. More remarkable: He probably would be given a good chance to beat even the best fighters around his weight. The polished boxer-puncher gained his experience in the top amateur program in the world, reportedly taking part in around 400 amateur fights. The 30-year-old last lost a fight in 2003. Toshiaki Nishioka, Celestino Caballero, Steve Molitor and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. hold 122-pound titles ? for now.
