source: Abac Cordero | philstar.com

Antonio Margarito, to Freddie Roach, is a 5-foot-11 Mexican statue. The celebrated trainer of Manny Pacquiao said Margarito is more hittable than Oscar dela Hoya, who quit on his stool after a terrible eight-round beating from the fighting congressman from the Philippines.

In the days leading to the Dela Hoya fight, late in 2008, Roach said Dela Hoya won’t last nine rounds, and he didn’t.

Now, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Roach thinks Margarito would go home earlier on Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas.

Dela Hoya, like Margarito, is just a shade under six feet. But he thinks the 32-year-old Mexican is an easier target.

“This guy is much more hittable (than Dela Hoya) and likes to exchange a lot more,” said Roach of Margarito, once the most feared welterweight who got caught with illegal plaster in his hand wraps last year.

“And when Manny can hit somebody, I usually don’t worry much about it,” Roach told boxingscene.com.

No wonder Roach never looked worried when Pacquiao fought David Diaz, Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey over the last two years, winning all matches in lopsided fashion.

Clottey was the only one who lasted the distance, last March 14, before close to 51,000 fans at the Cowboys Stadium, only because he climbed the ring with his gloves glued to his face.

Margarito the other day said he’s not Dela Hoya, and vowed to fight like he’d always fought.

A couple of days ago, at the start of the whirlwind press tour for the upcoming fight, Pacquiao stood face to face with Margarito, and had to look up, his nose pretty much levelled with the Mexican’s chin.

The two fighters were in Dallas yesterday for the last stop of the tour, which took on a somber note following the disappearance of Bob Arum’s son, John Arum, while hiking along the mountains of Seattle.

Four helicopters with infrared and thermal capabilities are on top of the search for Arum, who had gone missing since Sunday. Rangers have found his backpack, high in the 8,500-foot Stone King Mountain, with no sign of the 49-year-old Arum.

“John’s family is deeply grateful for the efforts taken by the dedicated members of the National Park Service, King County Sheriff’s Office, and the volunteers from Chelan Mountain Rescue and the Stehekin Community that are working tirelessly on the search and rescue operation. Their professionalism and commitment gives us continued hope. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and respect for our privacy at this time,” a statement from the Arum family read.

Margarito, so lucky to land the fight with Pacquiao, said he will beat Pacquiao.

“I want to prove that I am better than him,” he said. “Pacquiao already has a record of beating a lot of Mexicans, and now it’s my turn to stop him. I know I can beat him.”

Pacquiao stands under 5-foot-7. But he doesn’t really care.

“Size doesn’t win fights,” said Roach.

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