By Lem Satterfield
This Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, WBO welterweight Manny Pacquiao will use his advantage in speed to defeat ex-champion Antonio Margarito. The fight between Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) and Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) will have the vacant WBC title at stake. Pacquiao will attempt to capture his eight championship in as many weight classes, as well as his 13th straight victory and his ninth knockout.
Margarito has the height, and the reach, and the physical size, but Pacquiao believes he will overwhelm the Mexican boxer with faster hands and quick movement.
"The same way I did against De La Hoya, Cotto and other bigger guys I've fought before -- by relying on speed. I've developed a strategy in the gym, and hopefully, that strategy will work out. In order to hit me, he [Margarito] has to catch me, and I think my speed will be too much," said Pacquiao.
While Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach is calling it "an easy fight," the Filipino champion is expecting a very tough battle which may go the distance.
"I think Margarito is a very tough fighter, and I think that he will keep coming and keep coming," said Pacquiao. "He is going to be the biggest fighter I've ever fought, and he's probably got one of the toughest chins, so I'm prepared for a long fight."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.
