COULD it be that this Sunday?s much-anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito bout will be a battle between an ill-prepared boxer against an over-trained fighter?
Reigning super lightweight champion Amir Khan posted on his twitter account his observation about Margarito getting into peak form way ahead of the Mexican?s fight date with Filipino sensation Pacquiao.
?I don?t know, but something tells me Margarito has over-trained. He looked ripped and sharp four weeks ago. It was like he peaked then. Too early,? said Khan.
Khan?s observation was based on what he saw during HBO 24/7?s TV special on the Pacquiao-Margarito bout.
In an interview with Manila Standard a few weeks ago, Margarito?s trainer Robert Garcia said the Mexican was having the best training camp of his career, as attested by the former world welterweight champion?s wife Michelle and other relatives.
On the other hand, the camp of Pacquiao has been bugged by reported divided attention by the multi-tasking, multiple division world champion from the start of their Baguio training camp up to the time of their arrival at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
While in the United States, Pacquiao attended several activities not related to boxing. He also continued to spend time rehearsing for a planned concert in Lake Tahoe three days after the Margarito bout.
But Pacquiao, who?s aiming for an eighth world division crown is unperturbed about nagging reports regarding his extra-curricular activities.
?Yung mga puna, kailangan ko din minsan ?yan kasi mas lalo kong pinag-huhusayan sa ensayo, para patunayan natin sa kanila na hindi tayo nagpapabaya,? Pacquiao told the Manila Standard in a separate interview.
For his part, Khan, who has served as one of Pacquiao?s sparring partners, bared in another interview that all the Filipino champion needed to do was listen to his famed trainer Freddie Roach.
?All Manny needs to do is stick to his game plan, listen to Freddie Roach because Freddie?s got good game plan,? said Khan.
Meantime, both Margarito and Pacquiao are now in Dallas as they have entered the final week of their Nov. 14 clash at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
Margarito and Pacquiao will meet at a catch weight agreement of 150lbs, with the World Boxing Council super welterweight belt at stake in their 12-round encounter.
