"I think we'll exceed it. I think the first fight, we did 51 [thousand] and change. I think this one, we're going to go over 60,000," stated legendary promoter Bob Arum, who moments ago participated in a conference call to discuss the upcoming November 13 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. Check out what else he had to say about the fight, Pacquiao, Margarito, and much more.
On Manny Pacquiao...
There's never been a fighter that I've promoted that has so captivated a country and the people the way Manny has. He is idolized and followed by every Filipino, whether the Filipino is in the Philippines or anyplace around the world. It's something; a phenomenon like I've never seen before...I've never seen the enthusiasm of a people towards a fighter the way I see the Philippine enthusiasm for Manny Pacquiao.
On the fight...
I must say, as the promoter of this fight, that each fighter will do everything he can to win the fight. Each fighter is well-prepared, each fighter is coming in there to win, so Manny will say that it's more important for him and Tony will say it's more important for him. For each fighter, it's very important that he win the fight.
On the criticism Margarito has received...
Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but I'm a trained lawyer and I believe in justice. And I believe that Antonio Margarito was not treated fairly by the California Commission. I believe that Antonio Margarito did not know anything of what was in those hand wraps, didn't have an opportunity to try that, and I believe the revocations of his license was unfounded, and I said that at the time, before there was even any contemplation of a Margarito fight against Manny Pacquiao. And I'm delighted that Antonio came through all this. I'm delighted that the Texas Boxing Commission read the record and saw what was in fact the true facts surrounding this situation and gave Antonio a license. And I'm delighted to be the promoter of this fight.