Rick Staheli.
Superstar Manny Pacquiao's former trainer Rick Staheli, who is based in Angeles City, Pampanga, has emphasized that his former ward cannot afford to stay on the ropes too much against a bigger foe like Antonio Margarito.
"Manny should definitely stay in the middle of the ring and box him," said Staheli in an exclusive message yesterday to this writer. "If MP fights smart, he shouldn't have a problem. Stay off the ropes and corners. Margarito's biggest problem is Pacquiao's speed. Tony is sooooo slow compared to Manny."
Staheli knows whereof he speaks, having steered Pacquiao to his first world title in 1998 with an 8th-round knockout of Thailand's Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight title. He was Pacquiao's lead trainer from 1997 to early 1999 and was the chief strategist in about half a dozen Pacquiao bouts.
"Manny should get a stoppage in the second half of the fight or worst case a decision win. He should avoid the crowd-pleasing exchanges in this fight, it will only give Antonio Margarito a bigger chance of a knockout upset," added Staheli.
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