Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly the
greatest fighter of his generation despite the fact that Floyd ‘Money’
Mayweather continues to avoid him.
Pacquiao battered Antonio Margarito
for 12 rounds to win by unanimous decision on Saturday night in Arlington,
Texas and further cementing his claim as the pound-for-pound king. Mayweather
is avoiding the Filipino legend but that doesn’t really matter. Margarito was
so much bigger, weighing 17lbs more, that consensus is Mayweather could not
give Pacquiao as stern a test as he experienced at the Cowboys Stadium in front
of almost 42,000 fans.
Pacquiao, 31, improved his record
to 52-3-2, 38 knockouts and showed he was not only the faster fighter, he was
also far more powerful. It was a remarkable performance from someone who supposedly
had not been fully focused on the contest because he is immersed in politics in
his homeland as a newly elected congressman.
With lightning fast lateral
movement and shot combinations, Pacquiao landed blistering shots from every
angle. He launched a total of 1,069 blows and landed over 400 power punches. No
wonder Margarito’s face was a grotesque mess, with right eye bruised and a
variety of cuts and wounds distorting his features. Margarito, 38-7, including
27 knockouts, plodded forward throughout, determined to walk through the pain
barrier.
The southpaw’s trademark straight
left and right hook did the most damage on Margarito. In the ninth round,
Pacquiao started asking the referee to halt the bout for fear that he might
permanently damage the Tijuana Tornado and even eased up in the last round
preferring to see Margarito, 32, have the dignity of finishing on his feet
rather than out cold.
Pacquiao won the WBC
super-welterweight championship, his eighth division world title, something no
other fighter has ever done. He may have made the fight look easy but that was
far from the truth. “Margarito was my toughest fight,” he said. “He hurt me
badly to the body and head in the sixth round. He is very strong and has a
great heart.”
Pacquiao’s hands were damaged from
his night’s work. In the post-fight press conference, he apologised that his fingers
and knuckles were hurting too much to be able to sign autographs or shake
hands.
His victory is sure to increase
public demand for a showdown with the undefeated Mayweather. Pacquiao would
love for it to happen but seems resigned to Mayweather continuing to duck him.
“If it does not happen, I am still happy with where I am in my career.”
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