Muhammad Ali Inspires Margarito
MANILA, Philippines - Antonio Margarito's training is old school. Margarito, who meets pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on November 13 in Dallas, runs in the morning and does abdominal exercises as in the case of fighters in training camp. But the Mexican also does one thing that is a throwback to the old days when the words "conditioning' and 'coach' were lightyears away from being put together. Margarito chops wood ala Muhammad Ali and the fictional character Rocky Balboa. While Pacquiao has tapped the services of conditioning coach Alex Ariza to build up his stamina, make him execute lightning-fast moves and toughen up his muscles, Margarito draws inspiration from the past by imitating the training methods of the ring heroes of yesteryears. Training under the watchful eyes of Robert Garcia, Margarito is reportedly in incredible condition while honing his skills in Oxnard, California, and is raring to get it on the ring with the cat-quick Filipino southpaw. Garcia told the newspaper Orange County Register the scheduled 12-rounder for the vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight title will swing to their advantage once the match enters the "later rounds." The plan is to prevent Pacquiao from doing what he does best. "We're going to move a little more, have some head movement, and put the pressure on. We are going to cut off the ring. If Margarito can take his punch, it will be a long night for Pacquiao," Garcia told the columnist Mark Whicker.
No comments:
Post a Comment