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Source: Abac Cordero, Philippine Star

DALLAS – Manny Pacquiao is right where he wants to be heading to Friday’s official weigh-in.

Antonio Margarito, meanwhile, is having problems making weight, according to Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza.

That, he said, is good news for Pacquiao and everyone behind him.

“He looked terrible to me. He looked like he left everything in the ring,” said Ariza of Margarito, always in his sweatsuit whenever, wherever he trains.

Ariza also claimed that Margarito was out running at around 8 p.m. Tuesday, a clear, positive sign that the 5-foot-11 Mexican is having great difficulty making the catchweight of 150 lb.

“If you are close to the weight and you’re not having problems in camp, you don’t go running at eight o’clock at night,” said Ariza without sharing any other details to the media.

“You can’t tell me that. You can tell everybody else who don’t know shit about boxing but you’re not gonna tell me that.”

Ariza is strongly convinced that Margarito is overweight, and in Wednesday’s final press conference for Saturday’s big fight at the Cowboys Stadium, he saw something in the Mexican challenger.

“He’s grossly emaciated and he’s gaunt. That’s why he was wearing the sunglasses. He just don’t want to give away the signs in his eyes. It probably is true that he was pounds away from the weight the whole camp,” he said.

But there are reports as well, as early as a week ago, that Margarito had made weight. Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said that’s not a good sign either because fighters normally make weight at the day of the weigh-in.

“That’s what he’s saying?” asked Ariza.

“I don’t know. I’ve never had any of my fighters with plastics since day one and weigh-in day with plastics. He doesn’t look good to me,” he said, referring to the sweatsuits.

“I’ve been in this business for a long time and I know how a fighter should look like at the scales. On Friday you’ll see for yourselves. I think he’s gonna make the weight but I think he’s gonna kill himself to make the weight. He’s going to look like a shell.”

Margarito should be starving himself going to the weigh-in which is set at the Cowboys Stadium at 5 p.m.

Margarito’s trainer, Robert Garcia, said there’s no problem with the weight, adding that his boxer should tip the scales right at 150, and climb the ring the following day no heavier than 162.

“I have no problem with my weight. I’ve never had problems making weight,” Margarito also said.

Pacquiao certainly has no problems because he’s the one moving up in weight.

Roach said Pacquiao will tip the scales at 148 to 149 lb, and climb the ring Saturday at almost the same weight.

“He’ll have breakfast and lunch before going to the weigh-in,” said Roach.

“Maybe Manny should invite him (Margarito) to lunch,” he added.