Recapping the First Episode of Manny Pacquiao – Antonio Margarito 24/7:
Pacquiao vs. Margarito 24 7 episode 1 aired this weekend, as we’re just a few weeks away from one of the most anticipated bouts of the season. The two meet for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title on November 13th, but first, there are weeks more of training and intense preparation for each man. Here’s a recap of the first episode of Pacquiao Margarito 24/7.
Pacquiao vs. Margarito 24/7 episode 1 begins talking about how each man believes in himself so greatly, and works hard to overcome everybody and everything in their way. Pacquiao talks about how important this fight is for him, because he’s moving up to another weight class, and he’s working hard to give back to the people of his country, and boxing fans everywhere.
Meanwhile, Margarito is motivated by reestablishing himself and proving everyone wrong, that he doesn’t need to cheat to win, and that he can come back and beat a guy like Manny Pacquiao. Statesmen vs. outlaw, dominance vs. desperation, this is how these two are standing apart from one another right now, and it’s the introduction to the two men and their training camps that we’ll continue to get an inside look for.
We’re in the Philippines, and at the Shape Up Boxing Gym, home to Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and his camp. We look back at Pacquiao’s election to the legislature, and he talks about the responsibility he has. Freddie Roach says it has changed Pacquiao and how he holds himself, and that he’ll lose Pacquiao to politics “someday soon”.
Pacquiao has been formerly excused from his duties while he’s in training for the Margarito bout. Franklin Gacal is his chief of staff, and is in touch with him daily even during training. Gacal says he called Pacquiao last week, and he was working the mitts with Roach, but had to talk the call immediately. Pacquiao says he’s focused on training, and that boxing is his life, but that when he’s done training, he’s thinking about politics. He’s been telling Roach that he misses his job, which has caused concern for Roach, viewing it as another distraction.
Now we switch to camp Margarito at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, CA. Margarito maintains he doesn’t know what was in the wraps, and that he can’t change the way people feel. But he’s coming back and that’s the most important thing. Margarito recalls having his first hand wrapped, and Naazim Richardson commenting about how much tape he was using. Then Richardson checked the pads, and the block fell out.
Margarito then went out to the ring against Mosley, and he was asking the whole time about what was going on, is everything alright. With his mind not on the fight, Shane Mosley took it to him that night. His trainer wanted to stop the bout a round before it happened, but Margarito wanted to go back out there.
Margarito said at that time he didn’t know what was going on, and didn’t see how big of a deal it would be. His trainer said he used the extra pad by accident and that Margarito didn’t know anything about it. Sulfur and calcium were found in the pads, two ingredients for plaster of paris, and both Margarito and Capetillo were suspended for a year.
Margarito says he didn’t notice the wrap was bad because he never had a chance to punch with it, and so he didn’t feel it at all. Margarito was very depressed following the incident, and has only been in the ring once since then, a minor bout in Mexico. He was denied reinstatement into California, but got his license in Texas for the Pacquiao fight. Now he views this as his chance to prove to the world that he can win without cheating.
Freddie Roach says that of course Margarito knew. Pacquiao says the same thing, and makes jokes saying does he think we’re stupid? Does he close his eyes while his trainer wraps his hands? Of course he knows! Roach continues that there’s no way they’ll get away with anything illegal while he’s in there, and he’ll be watching them all day in the locker room.
Team Pacquiao acknowledges that there is controversy around this bout, but that this bout made the most sense. Pacquiao says he served his time and deserved another chance after making a mistake, and that we’re all human.
Of course, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather never got put together, which is why we’re watching Pacquiao – Margarito 24/7 Episode 1 instead. They say they agreed to drug testing, except for within 7 days before the bout. Pacquiao is fine that the fight didn’t happen.
The Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight is held at junior middleweight, but at a catchweight of 150 lbs. Margarito also has a 5 inch height advantage over Manny. Roach says that Pacquiao actually wanted to fight Margarito since after the De La Hoya fight.
At a charity event where Margarito is present, he sees a lot of support from Mexican fans. We see Margarito training, and learn about his work with Garcia, and that this is now their second fight together. Garcia didn’t jump right in, he talked with Margarito and asked about the incident, and then got on board with him.
Margarito says he’s better than ever, he’s at a good weight, and that he’s very comfortable. Margarito says this fight is arriving at the perfect moment for him. We hear that Margarito lost 35 lbs in a short 7 week training camp leading to the Mosley fight, and he was weak as a result. It’s not a problem this time, and we see him step on the scale and weighing 158 lbs after a workout.
Pacquiao breaks camp to go down to Manilla, and he participates in a charity run with over 100,000 people. He goes for a jog with Amir Khan, also trained by Roach. He meets with congressional colleagues, reunites with his family, and so forth. Meanwhile we see Roach at the mall getting swarmed by fans, and he talks about the overwhelming aspect of all of that and how much attention he receives in the Philippines.
Pacquiao has a few different sparring partners, each of which come in at about 6 feet tall, and each of which is supposed to replicate the pressure, swarming style of Margarito. Roach is trying to teach Pacquiao not to trade with the bigger guys, but to box more. Roach says Pacquiao’s training is a bit behind schedule right now, in part because of Pacquiao’s other demands, including congress. He’s also been dealing with a leg injury as well.
Margarito’s wife is at his training camp each and every day, which is different than what many fighters do. He’s been married for 12 years, and Michelle has been there for every training camp. Margarito says he’s happy to have her there, and she provides support. Michelle says that after something bad happens, there’s light at the end, and that’s where they are now. We see Garcia smacking Margarito in the midsection for a full round with a wooden stick, after which his abs are bright red in color.
Margarito has faith in himself even while people are saying he doesn’t deserve a chance at Pacquiao. He knows he’s capable of getting the job done, and rising every morning to train is easy with redemption on the mind. He says he feels good and is feeling good also about knocking Manny Pacquiao out.
Margarito is happy in camp, and at the same time, Pacquiao is happy in his camp, and his life. He’s balancing the worlds of legislature and training, and is busy all day long. A few weeks out, and each man is in the midst of their intense training camps, different as they may be, but with some similarities as well.
Thanks for checking out the Pacquiao vs. Margarito 24/7 episode 1 recap. Keep checking in every week for more recaps as we lead up to the fight, and more of the latest boxing news regarding Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito.
