Pacquiao to use tested formula vs Margarito

Speed still kills. The same formula that allowed him to bring down marquee fighters such as Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey remains Manny Pacquiao’s primary weapon in his November 13 fight against Antonio Margarito. “Yung speed pa rin ang magdadala," said Pacquiao as he changed clothes inside the small, oven-hot dressing room inside the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California following a rigorous two and a half hours of training with Freddie Roach. And from the looks of it, he’s steadily reaching peak form in time for his 12-round title bout against the once outlawed Margarito for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-welterweight championship belt. “We can use that easily. If there’s speed, there’s nothing to worry about," he added. “I know he has the advantage in reach, but we will use our advantage in speed." The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter was in a jovial mood while in training, joking around with people inside the famed sweatshop at Vine St., but also switching to his serious side when discussing the fight plan with Roach while inside the ring. The change in atmosphere obviously eased the pressure off a training camp that was not lacking in distractions of different sorts just a few weeks ago. “He (Roach) is happy with our performance right now," said the 31-year-old southpaw, who’s the current Sarangani representative in the Philippine Congress. With Pacquiao looking primed for the fight, his adviser Michael Konz declared him ready to take on the 5-foot-11 Margarito at the drop of a hat. “If the fight is held tomorrow, we’re ready to go, absolutely," admitted Konz. “But the problem is, the fight’s one week away." But Pacquiao is not underestimating his 32-year-old opponent from Tijuana, Mexico, who will be the biggest foe he’s going to face in his 15-year professional ring career. “I’m sure it’s gonna be a tough fight. Definitely, there will be a lot of action in the ring," said the three-time Fighter of the Year, whose last win was a lopsided, 12-round decision over Joshua Clottey last March to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown. Pacquiao’s lovely wife Jinkee and other close relatives began arriving in Hollywood, five days before the entire entourage of the boxing champion travels to Texas via a chartered plane that can carry more than 200 people on board. The Filipino ring idol is set to spar seven more rounds as training camp is expected to wind down within the week. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV