GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—When he saw Antonio Margarito spend time on the treadmill and then head for the sauna on Thursday, Manny Pacquiao’s Filipino assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez knew the Mexican was having serious weight problems.
“He really struggled,” said Fernandez in Filipino after Margarito finally made the catchweight of 150 pounds during the official weigh-in Friday (Saturday in Manila) at East Plaza of the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“Although two weeks ago he was at 158, it’s still difficult to put those extra pounds away,” said Fernandez, noting that Margarito “appeared to be quivering when he removed his clothes because he was hungry.”
Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza had earlier raised doubts on Team Margarito’s claims that “Antonio had already made weight.”
Apart from seeing Margarito running at night in the vicinity of the Gaylord Texan Hotel, where both he and Pacquiao, were billeted, Ariza noted the Mexican’s gaunt and emaciated appearance.
In contrast, Pacquiao tipped the scales at a 144.6 lb—more than 5 lb under the catch weight of 150—on the eve of his bid to again rewrite boxing history.
Lessons from Morales, Marquez
Margarito’s trainer Robert Garcia, meanwhile, said they have devised a plan to beat Pacquiao based on the Filipino’s performance against Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Morales was the last man to beat Pacquiao in 2005, while Marquez battled the Filipino seven-division champion to a draw in their first meeting in 2004 in Las Vegas before losing by split decision in their return bout for the WBC super featherweight title in 2008.
Though Morales subsequently bowed to Pacquiao in their next two battles, the Mexican legend’s effort in the first edition left an imprint on Garcia’s mind.
“We’re going to move a little more, have some head movement and pressure him by cutting off his space,” said Garcia, a former International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion himself.
Garcia also wants Margarito to test Pacquiao’s power.
“If Margarito can take his punches, it will be a long night for Pacquiao,” said Garcia, noting that the longer the fight gets, their chances of breaking down Pacquiao increases.
Hitting the right notes this time
There will be no improvisations, only a faithful rendition when Zyrene Parsad sings the Philippine national anthem before the showdown for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown.
Unlike many of those before her, who often deviated from the original marching beat of Lupang Hinirang, Parsad has promised to hit the notes and the tempo right this time.
The mass communication graduate from Assumption had consulted the National Historical Institute on how to properly sing the national anthem and sought the advice of noted composer and musical director Ryan Cayabyab.
Parsad was handpicked by Pacquiao, who is also a Sarangani congressman, after she performed during Sarangani’s investors night held in Manila.
She will be the 12th Filipino to sing Lupang Hinirang in Pacquiao’s fights in the United States.
The others are Lani Misalucha, Jennifer Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Geneva Cruz, Kyla, Ciara Soto, Nicole Angela Judalena, Karylle, Martin Nievera, La Diva and Ariel Pineda.
Bituin Escalante sang the national anthem when Pacquiao fought and beat Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2, 2006.
3 Filipino southpaws in undercard
Three Filipino southpaws will see action in the undercard but their fights will not be on pay-per-view.
Pacquiao used his influence with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to make sure that welterweight Dennis Laurente, super flyweight Richie Mepranum, who hails from Sarangani, and undefeated lightweight Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde, grandson of the late great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, are included in the fight card.
The 33-year-old veteran Laurente (35-3-5, 18 KOs) clashes with Pacquiao sparring partner Rashad Holloway (11-1-2, 5 KOs).
The 22-year-old Mepranum (22-2-1, 5 KOs) will fight American Anthony Villareal (10-3, 5KOs) while the 26-year-old Elorde (11-0, 4 KOs) makes his US debut against Angel Rodriguez, 29, (4-4-2, 4 KOs). With a report from Ronnie Nathanielsz, photo by AP