Manny Pacquaio and Freddie Roach were right about speed beating size. Antonio Margarito could've weighed a 50 pounds more than the pound-for-pound king and it wouldn't have helped. Pacquiao was brilliant over 12 rounds firing off five and six punch combinations and then scooting away before Margarito knew what hit him. "The Tijuana Tornado" had a badly swollen welt under his right eye by the end of the fourth and routinely ate over 60 percent of Pacquiao's power punches the rest of way. It all added up to another easy win via unanimous decision, 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110, for the Filipino at Cowboys Stadium.
Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) has now won 13 straight, including six in a row over bigger opponents. He battered Margarito with 401 punches landed on his head. The balance of those shots - 117 lefts, 136 rights and 148 down the middle - was amazing. By the end of the fight, Margarito could barely see out of either eye.
Now we're right back where we were after "Pac-Man" toyed with Joshua Clottey. The only fight at welterweight that most fans want to see is Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather. In the past, Drug testing and ego issues have gotten in the way of making the fight. Now Mayweather is also dealing with a multiple felony domestic violence charges in Las Vegas for an incident over the summer.
It may be time for Pacquiao to look back down at 140 pounds where up-and-comers like Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana and Timothy Bradley reside. Don't forget his rival Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao won the first two closely contested meetings.
Battling a big strong guy like Margarito for 12 rounds may convince Pacquiao that his future should be filled with opponent closer to his size. He admitted that Margarito's height and mass (165 pounds to Pacquiao's 148) took its toll and made him tough to knock him out.
"It’s hard. I really did my best to win the fight. He's strong and he's a very tough fighter and I can't believe (that he went the distance). I never expected that," said Pacquiao, almost sounding disappointed.
Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) had a few good moments in the fight. Pacquiao chose to brawl a bit in rounds 6-8. He ate a few big shots but never blinked. He did admit after the fight that Margarito stung him a few times to the body and head.
Did Margarito come out the fight a winner? That's up to observer. He's not very skilled against the highest level welterweights and junior middleweights but he is tough and never quits. His best round tonight may have been the eighth when he landed 34 punches. That was the most anybody has ever landed on Pacquiao in a single round. One problem, Pacman landed 42 that round.
In total, Pacquiao outlanded Margarito 474-229 at a connect rate of 44 percent. The Mexican probably shouldn't have come out for the final round, but he refused to quit. Pacquiao showed a little compassion admitting that played it safe in the final round and felt bad looking at Margarito's bloodied face.
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