Pacquiao expects explosive showdown with Margarito

Expect the November 13 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito to be action-packed and explosive. That suits Pacquiao just fine. That suits to boxing fans as well. "Gusto ko ang style niya (I like his fighting style)," said Pacquiao of Antonio Margarito, the 5-foot-11, hard-hitting Mexican and former two-time world champion, whom the Filipino boxing superstar will face in his ring return at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. "Suntok kasi siya ng suntok. Pasok siya ng pasok. Napaka-agresibo niya (He keeps on punching, keeps on attacking and very aggressive)," Pacquiao added. "Mahilig siyang makipag-bell-to-bell fight. Iyon naman talaga ang gusto ng mga fans (He fights from bell-to-bell. That is what the fans want)." It is for these reasons that the 31-year old Pacquiao can't hold off his emotions and say that he's been looking forward for the fight, his first 12-round match after an eight-month absence. "Excited na ulit akong lumaban dahil makakaharap ko ang isang boksingero na napaka-agresibo (I am excited to fight again because I’m facing a very aggressive boxer)," said Pacquiao, who finally arrived in the U.S. Monday night (Tuesday in Manila) to personally attend the week-long, three-state promotional tour of his fight with Margarito. The Filipino congressman from Sarangani province didn't have the opportunity to face an opponent of Margarito's fighting style in his last fight after Ghana's Joshua Clottey opted to simply coast along the entire 12-round of their bout last March for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. Not in the case of Margarito. The Mexican's trainer, Robert Garcia, vowed to give Pacquiao a hell of a fight, the kind in which the Filipino thrives.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Yet, Garcia believes Margarito's own aggressive stance could prove too overwhelming for Pacquiao to overcome. "He (Margarito) will get hit, but he will just keep coming and coming," said Garcia, who also trains notable world champions in the likes of Nonito Donaire Jr., Brian Viloria, Joan Guzman and the now retired Steven Luevano. "Pacquiao will get tired of just having Margarito on him and landing good shots, and eventually you start landing good shots and start breaking him down." Margarito tapped Garcia to be his new trainer shortly upon ending his long-time partnership with trainer Javier Capetillo, the man whom the Mexican accused as the one responsible for loading his hand wraps just minutes before his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last year. Margarito lost the bout on a ninth round technical knockout. Shortly after, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) revoked Margarito and his trainer’s license. The CSAC also meted Margarito a one-year ban from fighting in the ring. Shortly after serving out the suspension, Margarito applied for a new license, but was denied by the CSAC and its counterpart in Las Vegas, Nevada. But the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation granted him one, paving the way for a potentially explosive face-off with Pacquiao less than three months from now. Pacquiao and Margarito will meet for the first time Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) when they kick off their promo tour at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The following day, it's off to New York for the two boxing champs, specifically at Chelsea Piers-Pier 60, just within 23rd St. and the Hudson River, before wrapping up the tour with personal appearances at the 80,000-seater, $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium in Texas. – JVP, GMANews.TV