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Former lt. flyweight Pacquiao wins WBC superwelterweight title By Eddie Alinea PhilBoxing.com Sun, 14 Nov 2010  ARLINGTON, Texas (via Pera Padala) ? Manny Pacquiao, who 15 years ago at 16 had to pad his weight to meet the light-flyweight limit in his pro-debut is now the owner of an eighth world crown in as many weight divisions. Using his quickness in both hands and feet, the now 31-year-old native of Kibawe, Bukidnon in far away Mindanao, punched and danced his way to a unanimous decision triumph over Mexican pretender Antonio Margarito to annex the World Boxing Council super-welterweight title in addition to the seven he previously won in a 15-year career. That the now Sarangani Congressman, indeed, overwhelmed the bigger, heftier Margarito was shown with the way the three judges saw the fight. Judge J. Langos had the Filipino ring hero winner by a lopsided 12-point margin scoring the contests 120-118. Judge Shelen Berger saw the reigning welterweight king triumphantly, 119-109 while Judge Glen Crocker saw it a little closer, 118-110. There was no knockdown, but the 32-year-old former three-time welterweight champ ended with a severe cut under his right eye as a result of the punishment he received throughout the 12-round duel. After the fight, Pacquiao rushed to the Gaylord Hotel where his mother Dionisia was reported to have suffered an anxiety attack. Coming back to the huge Dallas Cowboys Stadium, he told the post-fight press conference there was nothing to worry about. Margarito failed to make it to the press conference as he was rushed to the hospital immediately after he was mauled. Pacquiao paid tribute to Margarito?s durability though, saying,? he?s tough and a very powerful puncher. This the hardest fight in my career.? Asked whether he is hanging up his gloves as speculation went before the fight, Pacquiao said no, adding I?m still strong and want to make people happy. Except for the sixth round which was even, the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight titlist showed his mastery in all rounds. ?Thank God I survived that round. He (Margarito) is really strong. He has a great heart and very brave,? he said by way of paying tribute to his victim. He was unscathed at the end. The victory was Pacquiao?s 13th straight after suffering his only third loss at the hands of another Mexican, Erik Morales, on March 3, 2005 although he beat the Mexican legend twice, both via stoppage, in subsequent rematches. That improved his record to 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts. The loss dropped Margarito to 38-7 with 27 KOS. That, too, made him the greatest fighter in his era or, perhaps, the greatest this millennium, an honour bestowed on Sugar Ray Robinson last century. Pacquiao, wearing white pants with gold trimmings, served notice of what to come by scoring with combinations to the face and complemented by body shots. He continued the assault in the next four rounds sniping powerful shots to the body and heads almost at will to the elation of the 43,734, some 19,000 short of an estimated 60,000 of promoter Bob Arum. So fast were Pacquiao?s fists, he threw a total 1,060 punches, 474 of them finding their target that entered into the record as the eighth all time most number of punches. He also connected 411 power punches out of 713 thrown for an incredible 58 percent. Reduced to defending himself, Margarito could only throw 817 with 229 of them landing for a poor 28 percent. The Mexican though threw 505 jabs to 356 by the Filipino. The animosity between the warring camps that was cut following a series of apologies issued by Team Margarito on its attempt to malign Pacquiao?s American trainer Freddie Roach was actually revisited in pre-fight activities. Margarito?s camp, found guilty of hand-wrap that resulted in the boxer?s suspension, returned the compliment by charging the Pacquiao camp of the same offense. Roach countered, however, by accusing Margarito of taking an illegal substance ephedrine. Both are now water under the bridge though as the Texas Athletic Commission dismissed the charges. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.  |
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