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Manny Pacquiao Becomes a Living Legend with Eighth Divisional Title


PhilBoxing.com




Are there any doubts that Manny ?the Pacman? Pacquiao is the eight divisional boxing wonder of the world? The ?Pacman? has just proved that he achieved and conquered what no other boxer has done as he made history again in the face of the boxing universe.

Pacquiao is now 52W-3L-2D, 38KO, he carved out a historical unanimous decision win against a relentless Mexican warrior, Antonio Margarito, who just would not quit or surrender. If you haven?t been a Manny Pacquiao fan before, then you should be by now based on the twelve round by round demolition and domination of Margarito who is now 38W-7L, 27KO. He was Pacquiao?s fifth consecutive larger opponent.

Pacquiao gave up seventeen pounds on fight night against a much larger Antonio Margarito, it was a light weltherweight vs. a middleweight at the 150lb catch weight. Pacquiao evened the odds with his blazing speed, ring generalship, combinations and power punches. That was the key to his eight-divisional title victory that secured him the WBC Light Middleweight World Championship. Antonio Margarito?s gruesome, bloodied and lacerated face was proof of how lethal and devastating a boxer Pacquiao really is. After the fight, the effects of the ?Pound for Pound King? sent Antonio Margarito to the hospital for treatment and surgery on his face which included a broken orbital bone.

During the post presser, Pacquiao stated that his battle against Margarito was the most difficult and demanding fight of his career thus far. Margarito was the strongest and tallest opponent he has had to date and he was able to impose his size and strength by landing shots that hurt Pacquiao who was leaning on the ropes. Margarito took a lot of head and body punches, he was clearly staggered and buckled to the effects of Pacquiao?s barrage of power punches and combinations, although he did not fall. Pacquiao demonstrated control, patience and even some compassion on the later rounds, winning by the technicalities of boxing in all rounds instead of the toe to toe brawling that he has been known for in the past.

Pacquiao is truly a special, a boxer that emerges once in a lifetime, his explosive performances in the ring along his cross over status brings pride to his people and nation. The dedication of his fellow countrymen and boxing fanatics that follow his life and journey to his fights is phenomenal and admirable. During the post fight interview, Top Rank Promotions brass Bob Arum described Pacquiao with the highest accolades by calling him the best fighter he has ever seen since the mid-sixties when he first started in the sport of boxing until now, surpassing Ray Leonard. Arum has even stated recently that Pacquiao has gone beyond the greatness of the one and only Mohammad Ali.

The bond between Coach Freddie Roach and Pacquiao is a special one. It has become world renowned in boxing and one to be exemplified no matter what sport you compare it to. Their evolution together as Coach and Boxer makes this duo the best in the business, which keeps them successful and victorious. Coach Roach layouts out the blueprint that beats their opponents, his prized boxer and best work in Manny Pacquiao follows the process which has lead the duo to where they are today.

With his latest victory, Manny Pacquiao has established himself as the current ?Pound for Pound King of Boxing?. No other boxer in the sport today has defeated a variety of world ranked boxers and won world titles ranging from super flyweight to middleweight. Pacquiao has beaten the likes of Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito in the higher weight divisions and has conquered Mexican future hall of famers in Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Barrera.

Manny Pacquiao?s once in lifetime accomplishment in the boxing ring has now reached an unprecedented and unparalleled level. His accomplishments will be difficult quest to equal or surpass Although his boxing career may not be over, the multi-tasking Boxer turned Congressman Manny Pacquiao will be talked about for generations to come. He is hero to many and has established himself as a ? Living Legend? in the sport of Boxing.

Top photo: Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates after he was declared the winner by a unanimous decision against Antonio Margarito of Mexico during their WBC World Super Welterweight Title bout at Cowboys Stadium on November 13, in Arlington, Texas. Freddie Roach threw down the gauntlet to Floyd Mayweather, saying the undefeated American needs to stop talking about beating Pacquiao and prove it. (AFP/Getty Images/Tom Pennington).


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rob Cruz.


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