Boy, a lot of people have a lot of things to say about this fight.
Pacquiao-Margarito bout an insult to boxing fans (New York Post)
George Willis' take on the fight gets off to quite a start: "Never have I been sprayed by a skunk. But it must be similar to being soiled by the upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. It will take a long time before the stench of this bout goes away."
Antonio Margarito's Texas approval for fight with Manny Pacquiao disappoints (ESPN Dallas)
Calvin Watkins talks about the Texas process of licensing Margarito: "In less than a week, William Kuntz, the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees boxing and mixed martial arts in the state, gave the license to Margarito. ... The first time Kuntz had spoken to Margarito was on Friday at Cowboys Stadium when the fighters came here to complete this three city tour. What a joke."
Texas official explains Antonio Margarito licensing (ESPN)
Dan Rafael's blog from Thursday morning goes even deeper into William Kuntz's decision to license Antonio Margarito: "Margarito did and it became nothing more in Texas than a virtual rubber stamp, which Kuntz applied days later. I have no idea if there were outside pressures on Kuntz to give Margarito the license, but I do know that people like Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wield a lot of influence. I also know that, love the fight or despise the fight, it's going to generate tens of millions of dollars in business."
60,000 Pacquiao-Margarito fans can't be wrong? (CBC)
Chris Iorfida on the fight: "Margarito will be forever besmirched by that night in Los Angeles but if he loses in Dallas it won't be poetic justice, and if he wins it won't be a disgrace to boxing. It will be a fair and square fight between two aggressive punchers."
Pacquiao giving foe shot at redemption (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
"Give him one more chance," Pacquiao said. "He is human, he made a mistake. People are worried about me fighting this guy. We are going to give him a chance."
Roach: Margarito is More Hittable Than De La Hoya (BoxingScene.com)
Freddie Roach: "[W]hen Manny can hit somebody, I usually don't worry that much about it."
Pacquiao, Margarito promise great fight (The Manila Times)
Antonio Margarito: "It is time for me to show all of the people that I am back and I am good. It's going to be an exciting fight."
Margarito will be local favorite against Manny Pacquiao (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
"A boisterous crowd of Antonio Margarito supporters routinely halted Friday's news conference at the stadium with chants of 'Mexico, Mexico' or 'Si se puede.' Translation: 'Yes we can.'"