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NEW YORK—Rep. Manny Pacquiao returned to New York Wednesday, Sept. 1 to promote his November 13th showdown against Mexico’s Antonio Margarito, with the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight championship and the No. 1 pound for pound title at stake. This was the second leg of a three-city tour meant to promote the big fight. Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 knockouts) will return to the Cowboys Stadium in Texas, where he fought Ghanaian Joshua Clottey last March 13 and drew close to 51,000 fans. He and Margarito boast a combined record of 89-9-2 (65 KOs)—a winning percentage of 89% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%
"Here we go again. Expect a very good fight. We know that Margarito is an amazing fighter. Let’s give him a chance, he earned this," Pacquiao said in his short speech, punctuated by chants of "Manny! Manny!" from the predominantly Filipino audience that was allowed to watch the press conference held at the Chelsea Piers.
Hard inserts were found inside Margarito’s hand wraps before his fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles in January 2009. The California State Athletic Commission revoked his license and handed him a one-year suspension.
Pacquiao also called his new opponent as someone who is "aggressive" and "throws a lot of punches," a complete opposite he says of Clottey, who "always covered his face". At 5’11", Margarito is four and a half inches taller than Pacquiao.
"We are definitely not underestimating him because we know he is a great fighter, that is why Freddie Roach and I will try our hardest to win. I am fighting for more than pride or history, I am fighting for the glory of the Philippines," Pacquiao added.
Fans and the media mobbed Pacman during the press conference. This is his fourth consecutive fight that has been heavily promoted here in New York, with previous press events held at the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium and the Madison Square Garden.
Pacman fan Michael Castro, a resident of South New Jersey, took a day off to see his idol in person. "This is a rare chance. I don’t think I will be able to afford to go to Texas to watch his fight, kaya dito na lang. Mag pay-per-view na lang kami," he said.
"There’s going to be a lot of action in the ring. Margarito’s style is that he loves to throw a lot of punches and he likes going toe to toe," Pacquiao said, explaining that he will train heavily in the Philippines and "eat more rice" to meet the weight requirement of 150 pounds.
Asked about how his foray into politics has been, Pacquiao managed a smile and said, "Ok naman, nakapag-adjust na. I think I am doing good. I have filed bills for my province, which is my priority, para magkaroon doon ng provincial hospital at saka university."
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