Margarito: Pacquiao a better boxer than singer

Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito spoke to the media on a conference call yesterday. It has become somewhat of a tradition, given Pacquiao's busy schedule, to question whether or not he is focused on the fight.

Regarding his training camp, Pacquiao said: "For the early part of the camp, not the last three weeks in the Philippines, it was not as good and Freddie [Roach, his trainer] was not happy.  That is why I am trying my best now to get in great shape and to work and that’s what I did.  Freddie was very happy when I got back here and he saw my condition especially during sparring and there is no problem . . . Freddie is worried about me and I understand that.  We had a good training camp this time."

And then came this, regarding possible distractions and Manny's appearance, with Will Ferrell, on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." (We have the clip right here):

"For me it is not a distraction as long as I train hard," Pacquiao said.  "You train hard and do your job, there is no distraction about that. Of course, the focus still is there. Nothing to worry about."

His trainer, Roach, also weighed in: "I agree with Manny, you see him singing on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show" . . . is very relaxing.  Manny likes to sing – he relaxes and he’s always been a multitasker. There is no way Margarito has trained harder than us.  Manny is in great shape and that will show on the 13th."

As for Pacquiao's appearance on the show, Margarito said, "All I can tell you is that he is a better boxer than he is a singer.  I think maybe he should dedicate himself more to boxing." 

Here is what the others on the call had to say: 

Pacquiao: "It is a good song, 'Imagine.'  I was having fun with Will Ferrell, he is a funny guy.  When I got there, we practiced twice and that was it."

Promoter Bob Arum: "I thought it was very good.  I am a huge Beatles fan, they are my favorites.  Manny did a wonderful job and it was really something special.  To see a fighter sing a song like Lennon’s 'Imagine' was great."

Roach: "I thought it was great.  I saw it the next morning on the computer.  It looked like he was very relaxed and having fun.  I didn’t know Will Ferrell was that good a singer and I liked it a lot."

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