Margarito drained at 150 - Buboy

DALLAS – Buboy Fernandez said he saw everything he wanted to see during Friday’s official weigh-in.

And that includes an Antonio Margarito who struggled to make the agreed catchweight of 150 lb for Saturday’s title fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Fernandez, the only Filipino in Pacquiao’s corner during fights, was just a couple of feet away as Margarito took off his black Dolce and Gabbana outfit and tipped the scales at 150 flat.

He said Margarito must have starved himself to death as the former welterweight champion appeared to be trembling.

“Pumiga talaga. Kanina paghubad lang ng damit makikita mo parang nanginginig eh,” said Fernandez as he marched his way out of the Cowboys Stadium following the weigh-in.

Pacquiao tipped the scales at 144.6, even lower than what was expected, and according to Fernandez will climb the ring on Saturday at 147 or 148 lb, just about his natural fighting weight.

Margarito came up the stage first, took a seat, crossed his legs, and hardly moved. With his sunglasses on, he smiled to the crowd and gave the thumbs-up sign.

But behind those eyes, the moment he took off his sunglasses, was a man who looked drained, dry and weak. Just after he got off the scales, a big bottle of protein shake was handed him.

The bottle was empty by the time he got off the stage, his left arm on his trainer Robert Garcia’s shoulder, and the trainer’s right arm wrapped around Margarito’s waist.

Pacquiao and Margarito stood face to face, in front of the cameras, and as Pacquiao rejoined his small group on stage, he was seen motioning to his trainer Freddie Roach, as if saying that Margarito’s legs were wobbly.

Pacquiao arrived at the weigh-in in his favorite jeans, running shoes, yellow shirt, a red Team Pacquiao jacket and a big white bonnet of the brand of shampoo he endorses back home.

Pacquiao tipped the scales with only his blue boxers and white socks on could, and could have made weight even if he left his clothes on.

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, claimed that he saw Margarito going out for a run at 8 o’clock in the evening Tuesday, a clear sign he was truly having problems with his weight.

“Nahirapan talaga. I saw him on the treadmill the other day, and they even went to the sauna. I heard he was at 158 two weeks ago,” he said.

Fernandez said he knows how difficult it is making weight when it no longer possible.

“Manny went through the same process when he was in the lighter weights. I think Margarito knew it would be difficult to make 150, and yet he took opportunity to fight Manny,” he said.

Pacquiao smiled most of the time he was up on stage, and even had the luxury of a good lunch just hours prior to the weigh-in that took place at 5 p.m.

“We’re coming in at around 148 tomorrow,” Fernandez said.

“And Margarito? I want him to come in at 180.”