Manny Pacquiao: Is Antonio Margarito a Challenge?
By Stuart Gracey
On November 13th the controversial bout between the pound for pound king and multi division world champion, Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito will take place at the Cowboys’ Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the vacant WBC Light Middleweight Title.
With everybody expecting a Manny Pacquiao blowout, I think the surprise element of this contest is that it will in fact be a contest.
Former WBO/IBF/WBA Welterweight Champion of the world, Antonio Margarito 38-6, 27 KO’s, is a slugger who takes punishment, only to fire it back on his opponent with more menace and fire. Margarito goes to the body well and throws punches in bunches.
His left hook is probably his best shot.
On a good night he’s a passionate warrior who commits himself to the fight 100% with unquestionable passion.
However, his reputation was severely damaged after he was completely dismantled by multiple division world champion Shane Mosley in a 9th round knockout back in January 2009.
He didn’t do anything to change the opinion that he was a shot fighter by winning a decision over Robert Garcia in a non impressive display back in May of this year, but because Bob Arum insists on keeping his fights “in house,” unless it’s Floyd Mayweather, JR., Margarito has got himself a shot at Manny Pacquiao 51-3-2, 38 KO’s, for a world title.
It has been reported that Antonio Margarito is looking very sharp in training and has been doing well in sparring sessions with smaller, quicker southpaws. Also we have to remember that this is another step up for the PacMan.
He will be going for a world title in an unprecedented 8th different weight division. So one has to wonder: Can Manny Pacquiao handle the size and strength of the bigger, stronger Margarito?
We saw the damage that Pacquiao received coming out of the Miguel Cotto fight and this is yet another step up.
Can the smaller man handle it?
Also there is a huge incentive on the table for Margarito.
Not only is this likely to be his last chance to be at the top of the sport again but it is a chance to gain credibility back for his career which is seriously in doubt at this point in time.
After the shocking and horrible incident with the hand wraps it has left a lot of people (including myself) wondering if the hand wraps were frequently used throughout his career and thus questioning the credibility of Margarito as a top fighter.
If he beats Manny Pacquiao it won’t change the past, but he will be considered as one of the top fighters in the world.
Another thing to take into account is Manny Pacquiao’s commitments to working as a congressman of the lone district of Sarangani. With all the extra commitment that being a politician requires is Pacquiao training as much or as hard in training camp? Is he fully focused on the task at hand?
Or is it even possible that the Filipino world champion sharp shooter could even suffer burn out?
I suspect the size, determination, strength and sometimes animalistic style of Margarito will trouble Pacquiao. If he is capable of repeating his wonderful performance against Miguel Cotto, this could be a classic with a possible upset.
I don’t think he can do so.
Taking into account the loaded gloves debacle, along with a long layoff has surely deprived Margarito of the skills and killer instinct he once had.
The difference in speed and overall sharpness will be obvious, as Pacquiao will be able to dictate the starting point of most exchanges. I expect Manny to depend on his hand speed and footwork to prevent Margarito from gaining any kind of momentum in the fight.
As a naturally hard hitter, Pacquiao will fancy his chances to win this one via a knockout.
If Margarito can gain any momentum, he will achieve some success.
There will be some nervous moments for Pacquiao, as Margarito reaches him with some shots and I think everybody is waiting to see how Manny will react when he gets tagged at this weight.
This, however, will be nothing new for Pacquiao who has been through many a war in the ring and I see him winning via a late stoppage in this contest.