Sometimes certain match-ups need to take place within certain time frames in order to experience certain outcomes.
What would be once considered a complete mismatch on basically every level is no longer such a vapor rip being that Manny Pacquiao has officially developed into a dynamic fighter that has matured into a full-grown junior welterweight. The bout that I?m referring to is the hypothetical fight between none other than ?Frankenstein? aka ?The Devil? aka ?The Tijuana Tornado?? Antonio Margarito and Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao.
Before you go nuts lambasting me stating that I?ve gone too far and that I?ve bitten into the Pac-maniac?s hype? let me remind you that ?The Boxing Bookie? has picked some strong, monumental upsets over the course of the past decade or so.
In my eyes, match-ups are match-ups and upsets only take place due to the betting public. Some fighters that went into their bouts as underdogs should never have been dogs in the first place.
As for Margarito-Pacquiao? I?m stating that there will be value when it comes to the play.
The Mexican beast will undoubtedly enter this potential match-up as at least a 3-1 favorite if not more which he probably should be considering his iron chin, will, and overall indestructibility.
I say? Manny can do the impossible in beating the ultimate Mexican warrior if the fight takes place at the right time.
2009 is not the right time for the following reasons:
1) Margarito apparently still squeezes his massive frame down to the welterweight limit with considerable ease. However, it?s only a matter of time before sucking down to 147 plays a toll on Antonio?s ability to remain strong at that weight in addition to retaining his punishment sustaining ability.
2) Pacquiao will continue to grow slightly and become more and more comfortable fighting and sparring around the welterweight limit.
I am off the belief that should this proposed bout take place in late 2010, it would have all the possibilities of an upset based on the following factors:
1) Pacquiao?s southpaw stance, foot speed, and footwork will give Margarito issues all night long. As seen in his bouts with Paul Williams and Daniel Santos, the ?Tijuana Tornado? can have problems landing his looping bombs due to the foreign angles given by a lefty. While some will state that Santos and Williams were successful merely due to their size, people seem to forget that both Williams and Santos had plenty of success landing short, accurate punches while on the inside. It wasn?t a stick and move from two miles away type of affair that many supposedly recall.
Being a short southpaw actually favors Manny due to his ability to take away the effectiveness of Margarito?s left hand with subtle shifts and angles. That loopy left hand of the Mexican will have plenty of problems landing on the jittery movements of the ?Pacman?.
2) Footspeed and footwork will play an extremely critical factor in the bout being that while Margarito is undoubtedly a beast in every sense of the word, his side to side movement and ability to close the gap isn?t the greatest. While some will state that it doesn?t matter merely due to the fact that he can simply walk an opponent down and pound them into veal scaloppini, I disagree wholeheartedly.
Reason why?
Joshua Clottey.
It was Clottey?s quick foot movements that incorporated simple back and forth baby steps that left Margarito swinging and missing in the earlier part of their bout. Yes, I know? Margarito was injured going into the fight. Yes, I understand that Clottey is much bigger than Pacquiao? it?s besides the point. Manny moves well and he moves sharp. He doesn?t merely back his way into the ropes and attempt to box while scratching his back on the cables ala Miguel Cotto.
3) Pacquiao has a very quick hand release especially with the lead left which will allows him to rack up the points while darting out of harms way. I?ve never been overly impressed with Pacquiao?s hand speed for the most part but his hand release is on-par with anything seen in boxing today. An example would be Joe Calzaghe having a very quick hand release while a prime Roy Jones Jr. has better pure hand speed.
Do you comprehend? Probably not but whatever.
4) By the end of 2010, Margarito should have some problems getting down to the welterweight limit especially if he remains victorious over the next year and a half. The reason why I?m stating this is due to the fact that it?s inevitable for a fighter to get a little ?happy? as he?s embraced and adored by the boxing public. It might take it?s toll on the free swinging prize fighter as he might tend to balloon up in weight in between fights a little more than usual while enjoying the fruits of his blood-encrusted labor. This once again? might have an effect late next year which will affect all aspects of his fight game.
I?ve probably left some key factors out but those of you that know me and know the sweet science understand the gist of my reasoning.
I envision the fight playing out with Pacquiao looking like a speed freak versus a revolting blob as he zips, zaps, darts, and dodges all around the ring making Margarito seem inept as possible. While the Mexican hand grenades known as Antonio?s right and left hooks go whizzing barely by the ?Pacman?s? noggin leaving the crowd thinking that it?s only a matter of time before anything connects, round after round will take place with the same result? Pacquiao landing with his quick release, utilizing his footwork, and subtle angles to avoid the onslaught.
While I might paint the picture that Manny would dominate this proposed bout, nothing could be further from the truth. Margarito will put up a hellacious battle that will see him coming on strong late but the unorthodox rhythm of the Filipino legend will always give him trouble.
Let me make one thing very clear? in 2009, Margarito beats and bludgeons Pacquiao especially late in the fight.
In 2010, it could be a different story?
