Moments before the Pacquiao-Margarito fight this past Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach complained of Margarito’s intent to drink a beverage containing ephedrine or in other words, speed. Well, after twelve lopsided rounds in which the Filipino Congressman completely annihilated the brave but plodding Mexican warrior en route to the vacant WBC super welterweight title and breaking Margarito’s right orbital bone, Margarito could have been followed with an IV drip of
pure crystal meth and the result would not have been any different. Despite all his good intentions of bringing a “Tijuana Tornado” of epic proportions to the Texan landscape, the best-shape-of-his-life Margarito was no match for speed, power and Bruce Lee-like fluidity of the best fighter in the world. With the win, Pacquiao captured his eighth title in as many divisions setting unprecedented heights for not only a Filipino fighter but in terms of popularity, achievements in and outside the ring and social importance, any fighter, period.
So what now?
Seconds after the bell rang to end the last round in his battle against Margarito, talks immediately turned to Pacquiao facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao again said he was ready to fight anybody that Bob Arum, his promoter, put in front of him. I, for one, do not believe that this fight will happen. I think that with this fight and the way that Pacquiao man handled an eighteen pound heavier natural welterweight proved that Pacquiao has the boxing IQ, stamina, power and speed to conquer any fighter near his weight class and his height. I put that clause there because I believe that Roach will never agree to fight Paul Williams who is taller than Margarito. With that said, I believe that Mayweather will put in every stipulation possible, starting with random drug testing, to dissuade Pacquiao from ever agreeing to his over the top demands therefore having the right to blame Pacquiao for the fight not happening. Classic Mayweather.
Rumor has it that since he has been a free agent for quite some time now and does not have to adhere to the cold war between Top Rank and Golden Boy, “Sugar” Shane Mosley is ready to take on the Filipino phenom. Really? That is great but I don’t think many of us want to see that. Based on his last two fights, Mosley has gone over the hump and the sure hall of famer does not have what it takes to be competitive against Pacquiao, let alone beat him. Yes he is quick but we all saw how Mosley froze against a quicker fighter versus Mayweather. Yes he is strong but we all saw what Pacquiao did against a stronger fighter versus Margarito. Those questions have been answered.
Many say there is unfinished between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. In two fights, they tied in the first and Pacquiao won the second by the slightest of margins, one point. In the twenty-four rounds that they faced each other, Pacquiao dropped Marquez four times but none the less, Marquez has been his most competitive foe. Despite of this, I don’t think there is need to subject Marquez to the beating that he would receive at the fists of the present Pacquiao. One thing that makes Manny unique is that since contracting the services of Freddie Roach as his chief second, he has done nothing to improve on his quick as lighting southpaw style. Pacquiao has the innate ability to follow the game plan that Roach has set forth for each of the opponents that they have faced together. In other words, while all other fighters deteriorate because of age and wear and tear, Pacquiao seems to be getting better.
The first Pacquiao that Marquez faced was a raw lefty that basically was a two-punch fighter. Pacquiao was still successful in dropping Marquez, considered one of the best technical fighters of his era, three times in the first round and stayed competitive enough to earn the draw. In their second match up, Pacquiao almost sent Marquez flying out of the ring mid way through the fight with a big hook en route to a split decision win. Marquez, in hopes of developing his style to a more fan friendly one in his later years, takes way more risks that he did in the past which would play right into Pacquiao’s fists. That and with Marquez not being as spry as before because of the number of wars he has been in, it doesn’t look good for the Mexico City native not to mention that Pacquiao will not fight at 140 lbs and anything north of that is not in the best interest of Marquez with his but against Mayweather as evidence.
That leaves only one man that I think could be challenging enough for the Honorable Emmanuel Pacquiao. That is Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez. One thing that we did learn about Pacquiao this past weekend is that he did have trouble with Margarito’s size. Pacquiao admitted post fight that the twelve round battle was his toughest to date because of Margarito’s size and strength. Martinez is as big as Margarito and as strong but to me he has something that the “Tornado” didn’t and that is mobility. Martinez is quick footed and has respectable speed with both fists. Not much pop but he makes up the lack of power with an awkward style of punches from different angles.
Sound familiar?
Of course, Martinez must first get past Paul Williams in their rematch this weekend which might be a tall order, no pun intended. Still, if Martinez gets past the “Punisher”, I wouldn’t mind Martinez getting the call at a catch weight of 150 lbs. for the title Martinez held once before, the WBC super welter title in Pacquiao’s first defense.
As for Margarito, there is one fight that makes the most sense financially and which is easy to make and that is Margarito-Cotto II. The story line is perfect since both have suffered debilitating losses to the same man and after the controversy of Margarito’s hand wraps last year, the Cotto camp would tell anybody that would listen that they believed the illegal substance had something to do with the Puerto Rican’s loss to the Mexican. There are whispers of Arum already thinking of this match up as soon as Margarito heals from the broken orbital bone that Pacquiao administered. I see it for next June in New York City on the eve of the Puerto Rican Parade.
Despite the fight being a lopsided with for the “Pacman”, I do believe that it lived up to the hype. Margarito ended up being a formidable foe that was willing to put himself in considerable harm to give the fan’s a great show and that should be commended. Unlike fighters like Victor Ortiz who when the going gets tough decide that they are too young to receive too much punishment but never to young to cash those checks, Margarito, like a true Mexican warrior that Ortiz wished he was, came trying to win the fight until the last bell, no matter what. Many fans are up at arms at Margarito’s corner, the ref and the doctor for not stopping the fight. If a three time world champion, who has never shown that he would ever quit and is still throwing punches, there is no reason to stop the fight. He is a fighter and he has the right to go out as he pleases. I am sure if Margarito had to do it all over again, he wouldn’t change a thing.
LOL I think thats the only way mayweather will fight pacman.
yea bro I think people would pay to see that rematch.
They both fights sound good, chaves or pacman. But if cotto fights pacman again he better be ready for a war. I think it would be a mistake for manny to try and fight a middle weight.
now that cotto has a trainer it would be interesting to see that. cotto fought with no corner and bad trainers and still did well fighting by himself.
if marga has no plaster the results will be cotto by ko. his last 3 fights without plaster and u can see the results. margarito is done without the plaster
thats a good one to jesus lol
the only one is JMM .He deserves this fight more that anybody because he was robber the second time he faught manny .
I’d rather see Cotto beat the shit out of Chavez and expose him for the over rated fighter that he is.
If he must fight, he can surely clean up the 140 lbs division. He has no business at superwelterweight. Not trying to rain on his parade, but I don’t see how a 144 pounder can win a superwelterweight title. I doubt he defends that title.
I’m about to say something vey unpopular, but Pacquiao needs to be a fulltime Congressman now. That’s the job he applied for and his people have spoken.
How about Pacquiao vs Cotto II? They are both Jr. Middleweight champs now. A unification bout.
Yea margarito showed a lot of heart against pacman. Not like other fighters who got knocked or just blocked the whole fight. I respect margarito a lot more than before. I want to see mayweather vs pacquiao fight. I would put a gun to there heads just to make it well not pacquiaos but mayweather forsure. Ur not a champions or pound for pound king untill you beat them. Mayweather stop hiding stop crying and let your fist do the talking. Mayweather go out like a man
I don’t see Pacquiao taking on Martinez. (which I wouldn’t mind seeing at all and actually think Martinez would win) I see him fighting someone like winner of Bradley/Alexander or Khan/Maidana or even better let the winner of those fights face eachother and winner gets Pac-Man. Margarito/Cotto will be fun to watch again I think result will be the same but it will be a good one. Respect to Margarito wish him a speedy recovery and Pacquiao for their guts.
i think marga and cotto 2 will be in march so that cotto will try to make the june date. cotto wants to fight in march he is holding that date. martinez and pacman will be a real good fight. no catch weight though. let them fight at 154. martines is fighting right now at 160 he is champ at 154-160 division. let pacman fight at 154 enough with the catch weight.
yea bro I hope he does, he showed mad heart in that fight. Big ups to both fighters.
Sad. I hope margarito heals completely from that fracture!.
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