Manny Pacquiao Vs Antonio Margarito: The Top 10
By Gina L. Caliboso
On November 13th, Pacquiao and Margarito will be facing each other for the vacant WBA Light middleweight belt at a catch weight of 150 pounds. Upon announcement of the fight, there wasn’t so much of a whisper of a sense that it was the super bout for the year. The news was received with a whimper and from this writer, “ehh, okay.” I want the megafight between Mayweather and Pacquiao to happen sometime, but the key part of the equation is Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Money Mayweather remains noticeably silent. And, Pacquiao’s boxing future may very well be ending as his role as politician in the Philippines continues to take a priority.
In Mayweather’s silence, his future remains up in the air as well. Even as his trainer, Uncle Roger Mayweather, faces legal issues, he maintains silence, with no exchanging of accusations, nor insults hurling as he has been apt to do the last couple of months. Mayweather’s Facebook status update had a lot to say during basketball playoffs between my Los Angeles Lakers and that other team. But again, he hasn’t said much since then.
As for Margarito, even after Shane Mosley beat him, still didn’t get fully punished for what he did. He had plaster in his handwraps. How much more proof do the boxing gods of licensing need to punish him for what he did?
A few months ago, Sergio “Maravilla” got his title stripped because of some rule about a boxer fighting in a weight class, or something or another. We haven’t heard from Martinez since then and he had a belt taken from him after a hard fought match against Pavlik. But look at Miguel Cotto when he fought Margarito. No excuses for Cotto, but not exactly a pat in the back for Margarito either. The punishment for a boxer who gets caught cheating should be similar to Pete Rose’s forever banned from Hall of Fame punishment. Where’s the responsibility and accountability? Margarito could or may have really hurt other boxers. He deserves to have his boxing license withheld for at least 5 years.
So, where does that leave us, fight fans? I thought I’d create a preview of what to expect in the next couple of months in boxing as well as for the Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight itself.
10) Olympic style drug testing
Mayweather started this. He should be quite proud that he’s determined to “clean up” boxing. Somehow, it suddenly became an issue. But when it’s possible he may actually lose and put his undefeated record on the line, heaven forbid he actually admit he may have lost to a better boxer. Much like Margarito, Mayweather must be accountable and held response as well. We should applaud Mayweather for legitimizing testing in boxing.
9) Boxing gloves – handwraps testing
Now called the Margarito ruling, all gloves, tape, and handwraps undergo Olympic style equipment checks from the opposing entourage. All boxing training equipment must be bought from the other camp, sealed, and only opened with evidence tape and promptly sealed and examined by a local forensics lab to detect trace evidence of plaster and steroid ingesting in handwraps.
8.) Mayweather retires
I’m just waiting for this one. Followed by more talk of how the world will now never see how great a fighter he would have been against Pacquiao because in consideration for boxing history, it’s important that the greatest boxer ever decide to retire with an undefeated record. If he retires for family support, kudos to Mayweather. If it’s another way to get more money from Pacquiao in a build up for an eventual bout, I say Pacquiao should play hard to get.
7) Mayweather returns from retirement
See #8. I’m waiting for this one too.
6) Paul “Punisher” Williams has a match with Kelly “Ghost” Pavlik; Miguel Cotto faces Sergio Martinez
Both bouts are scheduled for the undercard on November 13th. I can dream, right?
5) The HBO cameras will focus in on Oscar De La Hoya, George Lopez, and yes, Floyd Mayweather in the audience, along with Juan Manuel Marquez, Roy Jones, JR., Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Shane Mosley, and Bernard Hopkins. Mark Wahlberg, Jack Nicholson, and several Yankees team members are there as well.
Watch out for me fight fans, I’ll be there too, right next to Gasol and Wahlberg (I’m still dreaming, okay?)
4) PPV buys will not be as much as expected.
The fight can be billed as Margarito getting back his reputation against the best pound for pound fighter. Or, it can be billed as Pacquiao ending on a victorious note before retirement.
3) Margarito designs a new boxing glove
See #9 and #4. Other than plaster, Margarito had some time on his hands (yes, I said it, along with a big oops here!)
2) Once announcer Michael Buffer officially calls the new Champion Pacquiao by a 12th round KO, Pacquiao will announce his decision to retire.
1) Upon the conclusion of the 12th round (and by seconds), Floyd “Money” Mayweather will storm the ring a la Mosley and put the challenge to Pacquiao for winner take all. Pacquiao announces his return from retirement (in a few seconds).
So, there you have it, RSR fight fans, I’ve given you 10 things to look forward to before the Pacquiao – Margarito bout on November 13th and the fight itself. It’s not much, but given the sport of boxing these days, anything can happen.