ROACH PAL BILLY KEANE TO WATCH OVER MARGARITO?S HAND TAPING
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Nov 2010
Hollywood, CA: Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao are not taking any chances on Sunday the 13th when trainer Robert Garcia starts taping the hands of Antonio Margarito in preparation for the big fight for the WBO 154 lbs title.
The hand taping issue is a huge issue with Margarito before. A controversial hand wrap was spotted by Nazim Richardson prior to Margaritos?s fight with Shane Mosley and he reported it to the CSAC. Consequently, Margarito was suspended in California, the very reason why the Pacquiao-Margarito fight is being held at Texas.
Therefore, besides the expected presence of the HBO cameras, Roach is making sure a Team Pacquiao representative will be there looking over the proceedings as well.
Roach was supposed to watch over that proceedings but he himself will be too busy taping the hands of Pacquiao. Yes he could send Buboy Fernandez or even Nonoy Neri but those two are needed to be in the dressing room in close proximity to Pacquiao just in case he needs anything - a little rub down or perhaps even a bottle of water or a towel to dry him off. Besides, Roach really needs someone who is not shy to say anything if things don?t look right and has the ability to articulate the issue.
Roach is sending his trusted ally and close friend Billy Keane to keep an eye on Garcia as he tapes the hands of Margarito. Keane will stay in Margarito?s dressing room even after Margarito dons the gloves and long after the Texas Boxing Commission rep signs them off.
Pacquiao himself has agreed to this arrangement. In fact, he and Keane where talking about the task last Novemeber 3rd at the Wildcard Gym.
Keane will stay like a leech with Margarito making sure that nothing is tampered. He will be handling and checking each and every tape and knuckle pad used in wrapping Margarito?s hands. He will scrutinize the gloves too to ensure that they are brand new and un-tampered. If Margarito goes to pee after the gloves are on, Keane will possibly even follow him to the john. No ifs or buts - Billy Keane will make sure the Mosley incident is never repeated, particularly in a fight against Pacquiao.
Keane is not new in boxing. He is an experienced and a consummate boxing professional. He also has managerial skills as evidenced by the way he managed the career of former Filipino champion Gerry Penalosa and many others.
I am pretty sure at some point and time Keene?s mere presence will be a nuisance at Margarito?s dressing room. If it comes to that, no big deal. The guy needs to do his job and if it takes being a nuisance to get it done, so be it.
Only when Margarito starts to walk towards the ring would Billy Keane leave. But then again, he may even walk in with Margarito up to the end of the tunnel entrance.
Top photo: Roach close friend Billy Keane (R) poses with the Pacman. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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