Arum: Pacquiao Not Fast Enough, Margarito Would Win
Posted by: Mark Vester on 10-18-2010.

By Mark Vester

At the recent media day in Baguio City, Philippines , Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was honest with his opinion on Manny Pacquiao's workrate in the gym. Arum didn't like what he saw. He feels the Filipino champion is too slow at the moment. Arum didn't see the usual speed coming from Pacquiao during his weekend sparring sessions. If the fight were to happen this coming Saturday, Arum doesn't think Pacquiao would win. The fight takes place on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“When I watched Manny on Saturday, I didn’t see the kind of speed that he would need to beat Margarito,” said Arum to the Philippine Star. “If the fight happened on Saturday Margarito would win the fight."

Arum was asked by the paper if he would consider sitting Pacquiao down to discuss the issues with the numerous distractions like the nightly basketball games, but the veteran promoter says it's not his place to get involved. If trainer Freddie Roach asks him to get involved, he'll speak to Pacquiao.

“It’s not my place to stand in between the trainer and the fighter. But he’s got to focus and stop all these non-sense. But if Freddie (Roach) needs my help I’d be happy to do it,” said Arum.

“Antonio Margarito is a very focused fighter. With all the problems he has had, he knows that if he wins this fight then sky’s the limit. He’s got no problems at all getting focused. He’s done everything possible for him to be ready physically and mentally. Can he win this fight?"

Arum says there is more than enough time for Pacquiao to correct any problems, regain the speed and win the fight.

“Absolutely, he has plenty of time to get into shape and be the old Manny Pacquiao. And if he’s the old Manny Pacquiao he’s too fast and too talented to get beaten by Margarito. But this Manny Pacquiao is not enough. That’s all,” Arum said.

LMAO

GTFOH arum!!!!!!!!

this is just a bullshit ploy to make the masses buy the ppv or tix to go to cowboy stadium.

manny is looking like crap in training while margarito is looking like a beast on a mission.

what was arum's famous quote?

"Yesterday I was lying, today I'm telling the truth"

Arum hyping up the fight, thats all. Even if Pacquaio is not on top shape now, on fight night he will be. The bout is a little less than a month, expect Pacboy to train a lot harder in the remaining time left.

i think also its bob maybe promoting the fight.roach is a no nonsense trainer and manny in the past has always trained extra hard where frieddie tries to slow him down..i dont see either straying from there work ethic at all..nice try bob..if margo wins its because you as a promoter mis calculated where he is at..if hes the margo of old pac loses or wins the fight of his life maybe .ill bet on a loss..if wars have taken its toll manny wins.if its the margo of his last fight manny kos him..whats happening in the gym can at times fool you.many a great in the gym looked so so .worked on one or two things..in the ring..surprize..there animals...

Lol at these tactics by Arum. What a douche

Cant say Arum is dumb. He knows how to get the Pac haters on board to buy the fight.

Promotion, promotion, promotion!

Arum is just being a promoter. Why would he say Pac is going to destroy Margo?

Arum just selling the fight just like Oscar picking Marquez to beat Floyd

If Arum believed Margo had even a remote chance to beat Pac, he never would have made the fight.

I may actually watch this one now, because Ms. Beatdown wants to see this boxing thing that I watch.