Press Conference Quotes: Pacquiao, Margarito, Roach, Officials Announced & More:
The final press conference for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight was held on Thursday in Dallas, Texas, at the Cowboys Stadium. It was a huge scene and spectacle, swarming with media and fans, and much more. There was some interesting things said at the press conference, including some comments on the recent controversy stirred up by Margarito and Brandon Rios, with video of them mocking Freddie Roach and his Parkinson’s Disease.
Margarito tried to explain away the video – which was pulled down from YouTube – by saying that it had been edited, and he wasn’t shaking to mock Roach, he was shaking in mock fear of Pacquiao and what his camp had been saying. But Rios didn’t deny making fun of Roach, and trainer of both men, Robert Garcia, offered some sort of apology that they didn’t really intend to do any damage and they didn’t know of Roach’s disease specifically.
Promoter Bob Arum said he was unhappy with Margarito and his camp for the video and their comments, and he talked to them about that, but besides that, couldn’t really do much about it. He continued to defend Margarito, saying that for “18 months he has gone through hell” and he deserves this fight and this opportunity.
For Freddie Roach, he wasn’t brushing things off so lightly. Said Roach: “They’re not my friends, they disrespected me, I heard they are going to apologize, they can go fuck themselves.” If they apologize, Roach would accept it, but he said everyone would still know how they really feel and really act, and that’s the most important thing.
Roach also said that he would never speak to Garcia again, and he didn’t take his “apology” to be much of anything at all.
Garcia and Margarito talked about their plan, which is of course to stay on the gas, pressure Pacquiao, and try to impose their size and strength.
Pacquiao, as you might guess, was much more calm and relaxed. “I always respect my opponent… I don’t know if he feels the same way… Nothing personal, I am just doing my job. We have to entertain people, we have to make them happy, and we give them excitement.”
Roach said that Pacquiao is in great shape and a lot of the 24/7 clips that everyone saw were more of a concern, but not a huge deal, and that he and the team was probably spoiled by how awesome Pacquiao typically trains and prepares. He also said that it was never physical, it was all mental, and that it’s been taken care of.
Roach and Pacquiao didn’t get into detail, but commented on using, of course, his speed and style to outmaneuver the larger and stronger, but slower, Tijuana Tornado. Pacquiao also commented on his weight, saying he tried to gain weight but didn’t look or feel good, so he wanted to be lighter and swifter instead.
Jose Sulaiman also took the podium and spoke, and commented on some history of Mexican vs. Filipino fight traditions. He said there have been 61 championship fights between fighters of those nationalities, with Filipinos winning 24 of them. Half of those 24 wins come from none other than Pacquiao, the Mexican Assassin, who’s looking to add yet another Mexican name to his boxing resume, at yet another weight class.
The lovely Ines Sainz was on hand, and she has been providing fight week coverage nonstop for the Pacquiao vs. Margarito bout. She has been interviewing all of the fighters and trainers, and taking part in numerous other activities as well. Videos of Sainz in action, as well as of the press conference itself and more events and scenes from fight week can be seen at TopRank.com. TopRank.com also showed the press conference itself on a livestream online.
We also found out the officials for the Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight. Laurence Cole of Texas will be the Pacquiao vs. Margarito referee, and the judges will be Oren Schellenberger and Glenn Crocker of Texas, and Jurgen Langos of Germany.
