Beware the Tijuana Tornado

It was the legendary Marvelous Marvin Hagler who once said, “it’s hard to get up and do roadwork when you’re wearing silk pajamas.”

Hagler was 32 when he lost a split 12-round decision to Sugar Ray Leonard in a WBC middleweight title fight in Las Vegas in 1987. Before the setback, Hagler was unbeaten in 38 straight bouts and hadn’t tasted defeat since losing on points to Willie (The Worm) Monroe in 1976.

There was public clamor for a rematch with Leonard since the verdict was inconclusive. Hagler begged for the chance to avenge the loss but Leonard wouldn’t hear of it. The Marvelous One became disenchanted with the politics of boxing. Where was the honor of boxing if Leonard refused to fight him again? Where was the integrity of it all?

Eventually, Hagler lost the hunger and desire to punish himself in the gym so that he could be ready for war in the ring. He had enough money stashed away in the bank to live comfortably the rest of his life – without going through the hardships, and dangers, of boxing. For his fight against Leonard, Hagler pocketed at least $20 Million – not a small sum considering it happened over 20 years ago.

Hagler retired at the top of his game in 1988, frustrated that Leonard wouldn’t agree to a rematch. He wanted no other opponent and when Sugar Ray refused to step up to the plate, Marvelous Marvin called it quits.

Manny Pacquiao will turn 32 in December – the same age that Hagler was when he fought his last gig.

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Stories of Pacquiao skipping roadwork to stay in bed make you wonder if other more important priorities now occupy the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter’s mind. Hagler’s famous quote means that a fighter, who has become comfortable in life, loses the motivation to work hard in the gym because what pushes a fighter to the limit is the dream of a better life. If a fighter has achieved his dream of fame and fortune, it isn’t likely he’ll push himself to the limit anymore. Why risk being injured in the ring and not being able to enjoy your wealth?

Pacquiao, however, is no ordinary mortal or fighter. His motivation goes beyond the self. He fights for the entire Filipino nation. The responsibility he carries on his shoulders is gargantuan.

Still, when you hear of Pacquiao missing his early morning jogs or leaving his training camp to attend to a social or political commitment or playing basketball instead of resting after gymwork, you wonder if he’ll be in tip-top shape for his duel with Antonio Margarito for the WBC superwelterweight title in the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 13.

There’s no question that for Pacquiao to win, he’s got to be in impeccable physical condition because he’s up against a Mexican warrior who’s bigger, stronger and probably, more prepared. Margarito is no slouch even if he’s fought only once in the last 21 months. He’s a former WBO, WBA and IBF welterweight champion with a 38-6 record, including 27 KOs. Margarito is suspended from fighting in California and Nevada but licensed in Texas where the large Hispanic community is sympathetic to his plight. He was sanctioned after authorities found traces of plaster in his handwraps for the Sugar Shane Mosley fight last year.

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What makes Margarito dangerous is he’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose in battling Pacquiao. Imagine the boost in his stock if he upsets Pacquiao, a 6-1 favorite. Imagine the doors that will suddenly open for Margarito with a win over Pacquiao.

It’s possible that Pacquiao is underestimating Margarito who didn’t look particularly sharp in his last fight, beating Roberto Garcia by a unanimous decision. Although Margarito is close to five inches taller and has an edge of six inches in wingspan, Pacquiao’s trainers insist it’s easier for the Filipino to bring down a fighter with a height advantage than someone who’s the same size. Even if what they claim is true, Pacquiao must be in excellent shape to execute his fightplan against the bigger Margarito and that’s where there appears to be some doubt.

If Pacquiao comes in overconfident to fight Margarito, he may pay a stiff price for it. Margarito will be all business from the start and Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said he expects the first four rounds to be fast, furious and explosive. Roach said once Pacquiao survives the early exchanges, he’ll begin to dominate. The question is – will he be able to weather the first quarter storm?