Pacquiao versus Margarito has everyone’s interest
Controversial to say the least: Bob Arum (right) asked Manny Pacquiao (left) to interrupt his training and fly to Las Vegas in order to help Nevada Senator Harry Reid (center) get re-elected to his fifth term in office. Photo: David Becker/Getty Images
November 13, 2010, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas is the site of what could well be the Fight of the Year. Some people are referring to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight as: Good versus Evil, Big Man versus Little Man, Speed versus Power, and others recognize it as pride of country, Mexico versus the Philippines.
As far as watching the fight live, you can fork over the big bucks to watch it at home on Pay-per-View or go see it with your buddies at one of the many sports bars or local casinos. You might want to call ahead but every casino and sports bar that I know has purchased the fight.
It goes without saying, that the people of the Philippines will be watching. They adore Pacquiao, so much, that they’ve made him their representative in Congress. He’s been a world champion in seven different weight classes, and intends to do what no man has ever done, become a world champion in his eighth different weight class. This accreditation will make Pacquiao a living legend, even though it’s a bit spurious since Margarito is hardly the #1 contender in his division.
Getting passed Margarito is going to be a monumental task for Pacquiao. Margarito is a natural middleweight, who by fight time could have a 15 to 20 pound weight advantage and don’t forget the four and a half inch height advantage. At stake is the WBC Junior Middleweight Championship Belt vacated by Sergio Martinez, who would no doubt defeat both of these boxers. Martinez moved up in weight to fight Paul Williams which affords him a bigger payday.
For this bout the fighters agreed on the 150 pound catch weight (which technically has them fighting as Super-welterweights, but classifying them as Junior Middleweights has a better ring to it, especially for fight hype. That catch weight, meant Margarito had to drop a least fifteen pounds in training. Prior to leaving Oxnard, Ca., the site of his training camp, to go to Arlington, Texas, he still had four tough pounds to lose. The catch weight for Pacquiao meant nothing since his usual walk around weight is 152 pounds.
The fighter’s motivations, incentives, are surely different. For Pacquiao it’s almost a casual quest for another gewgaw, another trinket. He’s even stated he’s happy that Margarito is in great shape. “I want to give the fight fans a good show.” His opponent is interested in only one thing, beating his opponent by any means. Unlike Joshua Clottey, Margarito will not be another walk in the park.
For Margaritio, a World Title win means a his chance for redemption following his more than sixteen month suspension for attempting to use illegal hand wraps in a fight versus Shane Mosley. Either way, it’s a fight between two great warriors for their respective boxing legacies.
Some people in the profession have stated they’re upset about Margarito being rewarded with such a big payday instead of what they felt should have been complete banishment from the sport. The kind of cheating he did borders on getting the criminal courts involved and having the proper authorities charge him with assault.
Why are so many boxing fans, so many countries, interested in watching this bout? Pacquiao versus Margarito will be an all out war between two boxers that never, ever retreat.
Talking about watching some great boxing, the local USA Amateur Silver Gloves District Championships start at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the National City Community Youth Athletic Center, CYAC. located at 1018 National City Blvd., National City, CA. 91950. First bout begins at 1 p.m.
