(Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, uncannily accurate in his fight predictions, has forecast an early knockout by the Filipino southpaw when he faces Mexican Antonio Margarito on Saturday.
Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer, will be gunning for an eighth world crown in an unprecedented eighth weight class when he competes for the vacant WBC super welterweight title.
“I am predicting a knockout inside of three rounds but don’t be surprised if we get him in the first,” Roach told Reuters on Thursday. “Margarito’s a slow starter and we’re going to take advantage of that.”
Three-times world champion Margarito is taller and heavier than Pacquiao but Roach believes the Filipino southpaw holds a significant advantage because of his lighting hand speed.
“I don’t think Margarito’s stronger,” Roach said. “We have the better puncher. I don’t rate Margarito’s punching because he has no balance. He’s an arm puncher. I am really not worried about this fight.”
Although Roach had initial concerns over Pacquiao’s fight preparations during a chaotic training camp in the Philippines, those worries have since been allayed.
