Margarito ready for big win, breaks camp in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD – The countdown is on in the Mexican camp.

“We’re just counting the hours,” said Antonio Margarito, who flies to Dallas Sunday (today in Manila) for a fan rally at the Dallas Market Hall at 1 p.m. and an open workout at the La Gran Plaza Mall at 3 p.m.

Pacquiao takes a day off today in LA, his last heading to the fight, but may go out for a morning run and to hear Mass at the Christ the King Church down Vine Street.

Pacquiao flies to Dallas on Monday.

“Honestly I’m not worried about anything,” Margarito told HBO’s 24/7.

Margarito has trained longer, and probably harder than Pacquiao, but may need more than that for him to get past the quick and hard-punching Filipino congressman from Sarangani.

But he thinks otherwise.

“I believe I will win this fight,” said the Mexican who stands just under six feet.

He said he really doubts if Pacquiao, who started out as a skinny 106 lb fighter in 1995, a year after Margarito made his own pro debut, could fight as a super-welterweight.

Margarito said the 154 lb division, even if the coming fight is pegged at a catchweight of 150 lb, is too big, too wide for Pacquiao.

“It’s impossible,” he said of whether Pacquiao could bring the same power he had in winning seven world titles in seven different weight classes to this class.

“I’m sure Manny will say, ‘What have I gotten (myself) into?’” added Margarito.

“He talks too much. Let’s get this on,” Pacquiao said, facing the HBO camera, smiling.