GRAPEVINE, Texas ? Don?t blink when Manny Pacquiao tangles with Antonio Margarito on November 13.
The fight for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight title could be over in less than three minutes.
Revising his earlier prediction that Pacquiao will win by stoppage either in the seventh or eighth rounds, renowned trainer Freddie Roach now hints of an abrupt ending?one that will be short and sweet.
?Don?t be surprised if this fight ends in the first round,” Roach said during the prefight press conference Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) at the gigantic Cowboys Stadium in Arlington City.
He had cited the reasons in earlier reports, but added yet another quotable one.
?He?s slow motion to me,? said Roach, implying that Margarito would telegraph his punches and would not be able to hit Pacquiao, who has been noted for his blurring speed.
After watching and scrutinizing tapes of Margarito?s past fights, Roach noted that the Mexican three-time champion “throws wild punches, makes too many mistakes, has too many bad habits” that Pacquiao could exploit.
Although Pacquiao is giving away 4 1/2 inches in height, six inches in reach and at least 10 pounds in weight, Roach said the 12-round showdown would not be difficult to win at all.
Roach said Briton Ricky Hatton showed the same flaws when Pacquiao demolished him on May 2, 2009 in two-rounds to rule the 140-pound division.
Although peeved by reports that Margarito and rising Robert Garcia Boxing Gym star Brandon Rios made fun of him as a Parkinson’s disease victim, Roach said they were not the reasons he was predicting a swift end this time.
He said Pacquiao had shown tremendous improvement in three weeks of training at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood and at the Longhorn Exhibit Hall of the Gaylord Texan Hotel here.
“He (Pacquiao) fooled us,” said Roach. “Usually, he needs three weeks (to reach peak form). This time, it took him a little longer because of the distractions (in Baguio City).”
Roach, however, is convinced that at this point, Pacquiao is 100 percent ready to add Margarito to his expanding list of Mexican victims.
The impressive roster includes Hall-of-Famers Erik Morales, who beat him in their first fight but bowed in the next two; Juan Manuel Marquez, who held him to a draw and a split decision in their two meetings; Marco Antonio Barreira, and Oscar De La Hoya, the face of boxing before Pacquiao came along.
Margarito will be toeing the same line, according to Roach.
