Pacquiao vows to land first blow

After going through five rounds of sparring Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Manny Pacquiao declared that he’s “totally ready” to do battle with Antonio Margarito for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight crown on Nov. 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“I’m just perfecting my movements,” said Pacquiao in Filipino. “I am polishing my moves, how to counter, my balance and timing.”

“I need to be ready on whatever will happen on top of the ring. My style will depend on what he’ll do early in the fight.”

Pacquiao, of course, has an inkling of Margarito’s battle plan.

“We all know that he’s a body puncher so I need to harden up my mid-section,” said Pacquiao, who does 2,160 sit-ups a day for that purpose.

“When he comes in, I’ll meet him with upper cuts left and right,” said Pacquiao, noting that the Mexican hits wide and therefore telegraphs his punches.

Asked if he’ll beat Margarito to the punch, Pacquiao said. “He’d be hit first.” 

Pacquiao attributes his newfound zest and vigor during training and sparring with Rashad Holloway and David Rodela to his reduced weight of 147 to 148 pounds.

Pacquiao said trainer Freddie Roach’s assessment about his superb condition was right on the dot.   

“He (Roach) wouldn’t lie that I’m ready when I’m not,” said Pacquiao. “Or it will put him to shame.”

Admitting that he was sluggish in the early part of training camp in Baguio City, Pacquiao said it was due to the excess weight.

“I was trying to gain weight and become larger because Margarito is bigger and taller,” said Pacquiao. “But it didn’t do any good because I couldn’t move.”

According to Pacquiao, he’ll just maintain his weight at 147 and 148 till the end of training.

“As long as I’m fast, I’m okay.”