GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao aims to enhance his place among boxing’s elite while Antonio Margarito has a chance of redemption when they clash in Saturday’s hotly anticipated WBC super welterweight bout.
Filipino southpaw Pacquiao, 51-3-2 (38 knockouts), has already established himself as one of the best offensive fighters of all time and is widely expected to beat his Mexican opponent at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Although Margarito enjoys a significant height, weight and reach advantage over Pacquiao, the Asian is much faster and has his sights fixed on an eighth world title in an unprecedented eighth weight class.
“I don’t need to prove any more in boxing,” Pacquiao told Reuters during the build-up to a bout scheduled for 12 rounds. “I have already achieved what I wanted in boxing.
“What I want right now is to maintain my greatness in boxing and to entertain people who can be satisfied by my performance.”
Pacquiao, who won a seat in his country’s national congress after beating Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in his most recent fight in March, likes the look of his match-up with Margarito.
“This is the fight I have been waiting for,” the 31-year-old said. “I believe we can give a good fight on Saturday. Margarito is a very aggressive fighter and throws a lot of punches.”
Initially known for his lightning hand speed and lethal left hook, ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao has become a genuine two-fisted fighter and his trai
