Who Wants a Fight?: Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7 P4 Review
By Cliff Rold
As the world turned on episode three of 24/7, Manny Pacquiao went running with a little doggy, Antonio Margarito said he’s not cheater, and their trainers said their man will win.
Duh.
This is the finale of Pacquiao-Margarito 24/7, with real time review.
Leiv Schreiber brings us in as the sun rises on Cowboy Stadium, something about Roman gladiators 2000 years ago, an excuse to show off the mega video screens where Cowboys fans watch futility from the upper decks during home games.
In a reflective moment, the scene shifts to Margarito and his wife, the fighter packing for the journey to fight week activities in Texas. With a certain melancholy, both describe the significance of the fight to proving that Margarito’s career was what it looked like before the cheating scandal that rocked boxing in 2009.
As Team Margarito arrives at the airport, they are joined by the breakout star of this 24/7, young Lightweight contender Brandon Rios. Rios has made the televised undercard and, really, this show would lose a lot without him. His language is salty with a wink, akin to Heavyweight Chris Arreola but with road work.
On the flight, Margarito tears up the cover of an American Airlines magazine with Pacquiao on the cover. It’s 1 AM when they touch down. For Margarito, that’s just in time for an early treadmill run. He flexes his pecs Hulk Hogan style afterwards.
Whatcha’ gonna’ do Pac Man?
Pacquiao says he’s happy when he sees how hard Margarito works, that it will give the fans a better fight.
Seriously, you’d think dude was a politician the way he comes with the quotes.
Pacquiao is shown preparing for the fight with his last day at L.A.’s Wild Card Gym. America’s greatest living actor, the man who was The Great Santini, Augustus McCrae, and The Apostle, Robert Duvall…he’s in the house. The atmosphere seems relaxed but still intense. “He doesn’t know how to slow down. It’s just one speed: fast,” conditioning coach Alex Ariza offers.
A flurry on the heavy bag illustrates the point. Roach recounts that, just before Pacquiao’s win over Cotto last year, former Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson recommended slowing his charge down. Pacquiao just doesn’t do slow. After a selection of training highlights, it’s Roach predicting Pacquiao makes easy work of Margarito. “He’s not gonna’ touch us.”
Team Pacquiao, including the fighter’s Ma, rents a plane to fly the whole crew to Dallas where a Manny bus awaits (everyone else that is. Pacquiao has private transport).
The praises of new Cowboys stadium are sung while 24/7 gets to plug in some clips of Cowboy owner Jerry Jones singing the farewell anthem for coach Wade Phillips. Jones is looking for a way to make the fight “inspirational” for his football team.
They need it.
All ribbing aside, the show takes a turn for the serious as the recent death of promoter Bob Arum’s son is explored. Arum works his way through the interview with tears in his eyes and all who are watching whisper condolences for his loss.
Margarito is shown before a crowd of Mexican fans chanting, “Si Se Puede.” Like Pacquiao, Margarito has a bus with his name and face on it. Speaking after fan functions, Margarito states, “We know Manny has beaten man Mexicans and I’ve said this is where we break his streak.”
Margarito’s wife expresses nerves in the run up to the fight, a tradition of wives who explore their emotions in 24/7 finales. Trainer Roberto Garcia adds to the human angle, further discussing the value of the fight as validation for Margarito, as a rejection of the idea that his career was a mirage.
In contrast, the backdrop of a run on a local track sets the stage to explore the thoughts of Team Pacquiao. Manny knows how many people are looking for him to win. Roach declares nerves in a sport that is his life.
Then, its time for the Wednesday press conference.
Well, almost.
Pacquiao and Roach both discuss the possibility that Pacquiao could soon retire and pursue his rapidly expanding non-boxing portfolio. A national Congress is heady work after all. Roach says if they can’t get Floyd Mayweather to the table, and he doesn’t think they will, then, “I’m satisfied…win and we’re gonna’ have eight world titles on Saturday and that record will never be broken again. I’m gonna’ be in the history books with Manny Pacquiao for the rest of my life.”
Pacquiao-Margarito will be for a vacant Jr. Middleweight belt.
Finally at the press conference, Team Margarito apologizes for a YouTube video that made some headlines, appearing to make fun of Roach’s Parkinson’s Syndrome. It’s the last of the drama available before Schreiber begins the closing monologue as the music builds over a final montage. Clips of both fighters, shredded and ready for battle at Friday’s weigh-in, are snuck in and that’s it.
Fight time is hours away.
Final Thoughts: This might just have been the best 24/7 series yet. If it’s not, it trails only the outstanding Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton build. What worked was that, even knowing the wizard is behind the curtain, that it’s all a shill, they still made a compelling narrative. That’s a credit to the players. Pacquiao and Margarito don’t talk crazy or behave in caricature, allowing them to come off as honest, professional, and still requisitely badass. This 24/7 increased the desire to see the fight. That is its job and it worked. Grade: A
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com