Arum sees Pacquiao victory over Margarito

In the end, promoter Bob Arum is still going along with the odds. Arum declared that he sees Manny Pacquiao beating Antonio Margarito when they finally tangle next week for the World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight title. Whether by stoppage or decision, the Harvard University alumnus who became a fight promoter predicts the Filipino southpaw walking away with his record eighth world title in eight different weight classes on Nov. 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. “It’s going to be a late stoppage or close decision for Manny," said Arum from his Top Rank Promotions office in Las Vegas. Pacquiao had earlier been installed a heavy 6-1 favorite to thump the 32-year-old Mexican. Arum seeing a Pacquiao win is an about-face from his utterance two weeks ago upon checking out the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer in his high-altitude training camp in Baguio City. Catching a glimpse of the 31-year-old world champion struggling in his sparring with Michael Medina and Glen Tapia, Arum bluntly declared that Pacquiao would have definitely lost to Margarito had their 12-round title fight been held that day.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV When I watched him spar, I didn’t see the kind of speed that he would need to beat Margarito," said Arum back then. “If the fight happened that time, Manny would lose to Margarito." But apparently, Pacquiao has slowly come into shape following that disappointing show in front of Arum, and is beginning to reach peak form since his arrival in Los Angeles for the final phase of his training at the Wild Card gym of trainer Freddie Roach. That gave Arum enough reason for a change of heart, especially after seeing Pacquiao work out before members of media at the famed sweatshop on Vine St. Hollywood a week ago. Still, the 78-year-old promoter credited for some of the richest fights in boxing history such as the 1975 Thrilla in Manila (Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier III) and the 1985 Super Fight (Marvelous Marvin Hagler-Thomas `The Hitman’ Hearns) sees Margarito giving Pacquiao a hell of a fight in the biggest battle of his professional career. “I see Margarito coming right at him (Pacquiao) right in the opening round," said Arum of the 5-foot-11 Mexican, a former world welterweight champion who’s also being promoted by Top Rank. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV