I'll beat Margarito to the punch, says Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao has one thing in mind to underscore his quickness over Antonio Margarito in their Nov. 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila) title fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Beat him to the punch. “May tama na," said Pacquiao, explaining he would have already landed a few punches on Margarito by the time the Mexican tries to counter. As training camp finally winds down before boxing’s two biggest punchers finally come to grips, only minor flaws in their fight plan are being rectified, according to the 31-year-old boxing sensation. In general, Pacquiao added they’re more than ready to go. “Pine-perfect ko na lang `yung movement ko. Konting galaw, counter, `yung balance natin at timing," he said. “Totally, ready na tayo sa fight." Pacquiao proved it for everyone to see. In his second to last sparring session at the Wild Card gym, the pound-for-pound king went five rounds with Rashad Holloway and David Rodela Saturday. The 5-foot-9 Holloway, who’s set to clash with Filipino Dennis Laurente in the undercard of the Pacquia-Margarito bout, was at the receiving end of the Filipino southpaw’s fury, almost getting knocked out twice in the two rounds he went toe-to-toe with the Pacman. Against Rodela, Pacquiao also proved too much and too classy, although he allowed his unheralded sparmate to connect with some thundering shots to the mid-section and the side of the body. “Kailangan ready tayo sa lahat ng mga bagay na mangyayari sa taas ng ring. Alam naman natin na body puncher siya, kaya dapat patibayin natin ang katawan natin," said Pacquiao. The Filipino fighter was in a playful mood, even imitating the way Freddie Roach does the mitts with him, generating a few laughs from his audience, including the 50-year-old veteran trainer himself. Pacquiao said he’s also aware that other than being a body puncher, Margarito is also noted for his uppercut. “Pero wide (open) siya," he added, suggesting that the man called the "Tijuana Tornado" would be quite vulnerable to Pacquiao’s heavy punches. The seven-time world champion will only run in the morning of Sunday, attend Mass after, and then take the day off. Pacquiao is set to spar one last time just before Monday afternoon, then fly off with his large entourage to Arlington, Texas on a 757-Boeing airplane. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV