MANILA, Philippines ? Boxing analyst and historian Bert Sugar seems unimpressed by all the hype surrounding the much awaited Sunday showdown between WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and comebacking Mexican brawler Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas.
Talking in a recent interview with Chris Robinson, the 73-year-old Sugar shared that he doesn?t see the fight as something that will eventually end up as one of the decade?s best.
?It?s a good fight,? Sugar was quoted as saying in Robinson?s story posted on Boxing Scene. ?It?s not a great fight. It?s not something we?re expecting, but I hesitate to tell you that it will be a better fight than Joshua Clottey,? Sugar added, referring to Pacquiao?s one-sided victory over the Ghanaian banger last March also at the Cowboys Stadium.
?We always overlook Margarito. I?m just looking forward to going to Dallas and seeing Margarito and drinking margaritas.?
He, however, praised Pacquiao as one of those once-in-a-lifetime boxers who brought life back into the declining city of Las Vegas, saying that the pound-for-pound king?s dominant conquest of bigger fighters proved to be one of the city?s brightest moments.
?Las Vegas is suffering as a city, period,? Sugar shared. ?The gambling handle is down, and as far as the rooms, I think they pay you to stay there now. Its suffering and Manny Pacquiao was always a big, big favorite there. Not only for the Filipino fans that he brought but by the excitement he brought? Sugar noted. Interestingly, seven of Pacquiao?s last eight bouts took place in Las Vegas with the exception of his fight with Clottey which was staged in Texas.
?Watching him (Pacquiao) decimate Oscar De La Ho
