Earlier today at Cowboys Stadium the final press conference took place for this Saturday?s night junior middleweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. While the lead up to the fight has been full of controversy and trash talk from both sides, the tone was much milder today as the two teams addressed the media.
Much of the talk recently had been directed towards the antics of Margarito and his stable mate Brandon Rios, as they had been caught on camera mocking trainer Freddie Roach, who has Parkinson?s disease. Wanting to clear the air, Margarito?s trainer Robert Garcia insisted that both of his fighters were unaware that Roach had Parkinson?s. It was an obvious attempt to try to calm the situation by Garcia, who has refrained from any real trash talk on his end leading up to the fight.
<--- Slideshow: Final Pacquiao-Margarito press conference photos
When Roach came to the podium he did reiterate his feelings that Pacquiao hadn?t been fully focused while they were training overseas in Baguio City in the Philippines but also noted that things evened out upon their return to Los Angeles. Training out of Roach?s Wild Card Boxing Club, Pacquiao apparently found himself at home and was able to focus on the task at hand.
Margarito has been very confident heading into this fight, as seen in his interviews and on the 24/7 series. The Tijuana fighter simply seems to be thrilled to be back in the spotlight and promised his Mexican fans that he is coming back home with a win over Pacquiao.
By this point all of the festivities related to a big time prize fight are like second nature to Pacquiao and he claimed his only concern is that they are able to put on a great fight this Saturday night. Pacquiao also said that he had been training hard while also making mention of how happy he is to be fighting Margarito, whose aggressive style will surely make for excitement.
This is Pacquiao?s second straight fight in Dallas, as he won a wide decision over Accra, Ghana native Joshua Clottey in the same facility this past March. Prior to that he had put together a string of resounding performances in the Las Vegas area, tearing through such fighters as Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. The Margarito fight presents a definite test, but one he should fully be ready for.
Las Vegas based photographer Chris Farina was on hand to capture all of the action. Please continue on to the slideshow on the left for more of his photos?
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
