Manny Pacquiao Aims for Early Knockout Against Antonio Margarito

Antonio Margarito could suffer the same fate as Ricky Hatton when the popular British boxing idol chose to engage Manny Pacquiao toe-to-toe during their last encounter on May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas Nevada.

Witnessed by a crowd of some 16,000, Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao knocked down Ricky Hatton twice in the first round and finished him with a power left hook which sent the Briton down for good barely a second before the end of the second round.

The second round knock out was so devastating that referee Kenny Bayless did not bother to count as Hatton fell and hit the canvass in almost lifeless state due to the left hand power punch unleashed by the Filipino boxer.

If Maragrito decides to engage Pacquiao early in their fight on November 13, the Mexican boxer will most likely suffer the same fate as did Hatton.

Robert Garcia, Margarito's trainer has earlier predicted Pacquiao will go down on the eleventh round. It appears from his prediction, Margarito will try to wear down Pacquiao and hit him in the later rounds.

Garcia's prediction could be considered diversionary as he may instead  attack Pacquiao in the first three to five rounds.

Boxing critics believe it will be a short-lived fight if Margarito elects to go toe-to-toe with Pacquiao as the Filipino boxer will surely capitalize on his speed to penetrate Margarito's defenses.

After emerging from his four-week training in the high altitude mountain city of Baguio in northern Philippines, Pacquiao revealed he will try to end the fight early. But he says it all depends on the given situation during the early rounds.

“Siguro aatake kami (We might move in) first and second (rounds),” said the Filipino pound-for-pound champion after a rain-soaked workout yesterday morning at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“But it depends,” he said.

“My condition, my body, my speed are okay although I feel I still need to work on my speed. I’m comfortable. I’m not slow. But there’s still work to be done on my speed,” he said.

Earlier Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum flew over to Manila to see for himself the progress of Pacquiao's training. The popular promoter thought Pacquiao was wanting in terms of speed but was pleased when he left last Thursday for the US saying Pacquiao was fast catching up.

As Pacquiao admitted he needs more time to build up his natural speed, his trainer and coach Freddie Roach believe Pacquiao is nearing his prefect condition and felt elated at the overall progress of their month-long training in Baguio City.

Pacquiao and his entourage are set to fly to Los Angeles late Saturday for the second phase of training where trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza will concentrate on Pacquiao's speed build up.

Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Magarito will clash on November 13 for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Pacquiao is gunning for his eighth title is eight different divisions.