Manny Pacquiao’s coach expects an early victory for his fighter in Saturday’s WBC light-middleweight title contest against Antonio Margarito.
“I am predicting a knockout inside of three rounds but don’t be surprised if we get him in the first,” said Freddie Roach ahead of the bout in Dallas.
“Margarito’s a slow starter and we’re going to take advantage.”
Three-times world champion Margarito is taller and heavier than Pacquiao but Roach said: “I am really not worried.”
And he added: “I don’t think Margarito’s stronger. We have the better puncher. I don’t rate Margarito’s punching because he has no balance. He’s an arm puncher.”
Margarito, banned after illegal hand wraps were found in his gloves before a loss to Shane Mosley, is aiming to restore his reputation.
The 32-year-old Mexican will have a height and weight advantage for the fight, although Pacquiao, regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport, will hope his speed and ring knowhow will help him prevail at the Cowboys Stadium.
However, the fight build-up has been marred by a video in which Margarito, fellow fighter Brandon Rios and trainer Robert Garcia appear to be mocking Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, who has Parkinson’s disease.
Roach has been unimpressed by the antics of the Margarito camp and has requested that one of his representatives monitor Margarito when he gets his hands wrapped for the fight.
“I don’t trust those guys. He [Margarito] will do anything to win,” said Roach. “He’s done it before. He’s a cheater and once a cheater, a leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
Pacquiao, 31, anticipates a tough fight, saying: “Margarito is an aggressive fighter.”
And three-time world champion Margarito, nicknamed the Tijuana Tornado, is planning to cause an upset.
“This is my best camp ever,” he said. “I want to show everyone that I am back and what I can do on Saturday.”
