By Mark Vester
Trainer Freddie Roach is expecting a knockout win by WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao when he moves up in weight to challenge Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC 154-pound title on November 13. Speaking to The Philippine Star, Roach said he would be disapointed if Pacquiao was unable to knock Margarito out when they fight in Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
“I’d be disappointed if we don’t knock him out,” said Roach....“Inside eight rounds.”
Margarito presents a very rough fight. Roach is ready for the tough Mexican's tactics. He wants Pacquiao to stay on move and avoid being a target for Margarito's incoming punches. Margarito throws a lot of shots and Roach plans to use angles to combat Margarito's high punch output.
“We’re working on that -- the elbows, the headbutts. We need to keep Manny out of that position,” said Roach. “We’re going to use a lot of angles for this fight. And if Manny fights the way he fights, we can take that (risk) away and it won’t be a problem. It’s a fact. He’s a very physical person and he can do anything to win that fight. If he can do anything he’ll do anything to win.”
