Excitement with the big fight between pound-for-pound king Manny ?PacMan? Pacquiao and Antonio ?Tijuana Tornado? Margarito is mounting. With only two days left before the title bout on November 14 for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight crown, anticipation was rising in the boxing world. The Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will surely be filled to its capacity on fight night. As of Friday, tickets were almost sold out, mainly because the Filipino boxing sensation is truly a superstar. But, Margarito has added a bit of excitement to the event by saying that he will ask for a rematch, that is, if he wins.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said that if the Filipino boxing icon loses this fight, it will be up to him if he wants a rematch. Both boxers did not ask for a rematch clause for their fight, but Arum said that it is easy to arrange one especially since Top Rank handles both Pacquiao and Margarito.
Sports commentators and boxing analysts are divided in their bets on who will win the fight, even if Pacquiao still has the upper hand in the betting odds. Margarito?s trainer Robert Garcia has confidently predicted good results in favor of Margarito. Analysts said that Margarito, who is Pacquiao?s largest opponent, has a signature crossover move that may befall Pacquiao. Also, Pacquiao has not yet proved his boxing power above 147 pounds.
Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach said that his prized ward will knock out Margarito, in what round he still cannot say, but he is very confident of another victory for Pacquiao. Pacquiao?s adviser Mike Koncz also said that Manny is going to win this fight, while Arum predicted a ?late stoppage or a close decision.?
Still, many observed that Pacquiao looked tired and bothered, and has had too many distractions from training. Back in the Philippines, he has been busy in his new job as a lawmaker representing Sarangani province in southern Mindanao, causing him to miss several training days and dividing his mind and attention.
But more than talks of a rematch, the consequence of Margarito beating Pacquiao has a lot of weight on who the seven-division world champion will fight next. Boxing fans all over the world have been patiently waiting for a fight between the two best pound-for-pound boxers, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao, after plans were foiled twice.
If Margarito wins, he might be able to redeem himself from charges of cheating with plaster in his hand wraps. There might be a rematch between Pacquiao and Margarito, but it will not be as interesting as what could take place if Manny wins?the dream match between Pacquiao and Mayweather. If Manny loses, there will be a slimmer chance that a showdown with Mayweather may not push through.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. confirmed that at least 14 lawmakers have secured travel authority to the US, but he did not say if they would watch the Pacquiao-Margarito fight.
Rep. Florencio Noel of An Waray party-list and the chairman of the House Committee on Accounts, said that the 14 congressmen are not using public funds for their US travel.
?The House will not extend any allowance for their travel. The travel authority is a requirement for a travelling public official. They will be marked absent during our session,? Noel added. WITH REPORT FROM LLANESCA T. PANTI
