No political doublespeak: Pacquiao says focus solely on Margarito

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Pacquiao has changed. Want proof?

As his bus rolled into Cowboys Stadium on Friday for the weigh-in for his WBC super welterweight title fight against Antonio Margarito, the likeness of Pacquiao's face adorning both sides of the bus was stern instead of smiling.

Life for Pacquiao has become much more serious since he was elected to congress in his native Philippines in May. He is committed to his constituents, some say at the expense of his boxing career, which has produced an outstanding record of 51-3-2 with 38 knockouts heading into tonight's scheduled 12-round fight.

"Public service is very important to me," Pacquiao said. "But I have tried to separate politics and boxing for this fight."

By his own admission, Pacquiao wasn't always successful at doing so. His training camp had its ups and downs as he met with political leaders here and in the Philippines while preparing for Margarito (38-6, 37 KOs).

"I know (trainer) Freddie (Roach) is worried about me," said Pacquiao, a minus-450 betting favorite. "But my mind is 100 percent on the fight."

But there's no question that congressman Pacquiao is a different person. Roach sees it. So does Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao.

"He still likes to have fun, but when he's in that congressman's suit, he doesn't joke around," Roach said. "I think he's become a much more serious, much more well-rounded person."

Arum said: "It's more than serious. There's a gravitas that didn't exist before. Manny feels an enormous responsibility to his people, not only in his district, but to the entire Philippines.

"He's also getting older, and he's maturing into a political figure. He's so astute. He used to talk in short sentences. Now he speaks in paragraphs."

Pacquiao will make at least $15 million tonight -- Margarito will get $3 million -- and his payday could surpass $20 million if the HBO Pay Per View telecast sells well. Pacquiao also can add to his legacy as the sport's pound-for-pound king tonight; a victory would give him a world title in an unprecedented eighth weight division.

Pacquiao will try to use his superior hand and foot speed to offset Margarito's advantages in height (5 inches) and reach (7 inches). And while Margarito is expected to weigh as much as 162 pounds when he enters the ring, don't look for Pacquiao to pack on much weight overnight.

"That is my role now, to fight a big man," Pacquiao said. "But it's a big honor to fight for an eighth title.

"I'll probably be 148, 149 (pounds). If I get too heavy, I'll be slower."

Even though the WBC 154-pound title is at stake, the fight is supposed to be fought at a catch weight of 150. Margarito weighed in at 150, but Pacquiao came in astonishingly light at 144.6. He was closer to junior welterweight (140) than super welterweight (154).

Margarito turned 32 in March and Pacquiao will be 32 on Dec. 17. Pacquiao has plotted his retirement, saying, "I'll fight a few fights and then that's it."

He declined to put a number on how many fights, but intimates he has two or three more in him.

Will one of those fights be against Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Pacquiao doesn't think so.

"I have no idea if it will happen," he said. "But if it doesn't, I'm OK with it."

As he attempts to serve two masters, Pacquiao said he is comfortable with the task.

"I have time for politics, and I have time for boxing," he said. "No retirement. Not yet. I can still fight."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.