Philippines, 26 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Why Margarito is Pacquiao?s roughest fight


PhilBoxing.com




Eighteen days before he fights Antonio Margarito for the world super-welterweight crown, Filipino ring hero is still tagged the overwhelming favorite to emerged the winner and further etched his name in boxing?s history as the only man to win an eight world title in as many weight divisions.

The projection is brought about by the way they saw how the reigning welterweight champ reduced Joshua Clottey into a pulp; raining his opponent with more than 300 punches a round all throughout their 12-round duel.

Don?t look now, but had lot of people witnessed the Mexican?s last fight, an impressive triumph over Roberto Garcia that took place in Aguascalientes, Mexico sans the usual television coverage for reason that Margarito couldn't get a license to fight in the United States.

Meaning the last time most fans saw Margarito in real action was sleep walk loss to Shane Mosley two years ago that was marred by controversy it was found out he loaded his gloves with materials to give additional power to his punches

Mosley came out the winner in that fight in a victory that put the ?Tijuana Tornado?s? entire career suspect to many sports fans. That he is a cheat, an enigma Margarito wants to erase to get back in the mainstream of the international boxing scene.

Margarito, of course, denied having knowledge of the shameful wraps.

Question is, is he capable of doing that by turning the tables on the ?Pacman.??

Well, for one thing, Margarito is definitely, bigger, taller and heftier that the Filipino speed demon.

Not only that, reports have it that some tough fighters who have done the mitts with Margarito swear the Mexican can hit like a mule -- with or without loaded wraps.

He's also got a great chin, too, they attested. And remember that nobody one had ever knocked out Margarito before Mosley sent him to the canvas for the first time in his career.

Margarito is training hard for his matchup with Manny. Whether the wraps charges are true or not, it cannot be denied that Margarito is a big hitter with a good chin.

Which is why this will be a tough fight for Pacquiao. Probably the toughest he's ever had.

So far Manny has fought the best fighters of his era: Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Clottey although doubters tend to taint those victories, perhaps for valid reasons. They said Hatton was always over rated, Cotto was too slow for Manny.

Margarito, like Manny?s past victims also struggle with Manny's speed, but unlike Cotto, Antonio is used to being the slowest guy in the ring. That means he's used to adjusting to faster fighters.

On the other hand, Manny isn't used to being hit by a big welterweight. As Clottey showed when he rendered Pacquiao?s face swollen from the very few punches he was able to connect.

Not only that but they're fighting at 151 so Manny can fight for another belt.

Usually a catch weight fight favors the smaller man. But since Margarito has campaigned almost exclusively as a welterweight there won't be any advantage for either man.

It just means, Margarito can come in several pounds heavier than usual. On a frame that can easily handle it.

Then there's the question of Manny's condition. This will be his first fight since being elected as congressman representing his wife Jinkee?s home province Sarangani, spending many weeks campaigning for office.

By all indications though, Manny will win. He's too fast for Margarito and his speed will see him marching triumphantly anew.

He also loves to fight. A trait that has made him one of the all time greats.

But if Margarito catches him flush even once, we going to see if Manny is a real welterweight or a fighter that just caught a bunch of bigger fighters at the downward point of their careers.

That alone should make this one interesting.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • 125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.