Saturday’s super welterweight bout between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito in Dallas Cowboys Stadium shapes up as the battle between big-time little men.
Much is being made about the “catch weight” of 150 pounds for a bout in a division where fighters could weigh in at the limit of 154 pounds.
But with the smaller Pacquiao holding the money cards when it comes to hyping the match, the bout was contracted to his wishes at 150.
“With our strategy, we are not worried about the size,” said Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), who figures to be giving up as much as 15 pounds the night of the bout. “I believe I can fight the bigger guys even though I am small. We always believe in our talent.”
Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) figures to use his height and weight, but he is aware of Pacquiao’s strength and super pace.
“I see his speed and know he is fast, but he’s a smaller guy,” said Margarito during the same conference call. “I see some things. But I would never consider it an easy fight or think I have big advantages. He may think he is a big puncher in this division, so I want to see what we can do.”
What Margarito has to do is throw punches, something Joshua Clottey did not do when he faced Pacquiao in March in Dallas. It was such a lopsided, boring affair, with Clottey just cashing a paycheck.
A slow starter, Margarito cannot afford to come out that way against Pacquiao. He said the later rounds will favor him because of his stamina, but there are generally no later rounds when facing this whirlwind puncher.
The Filipino fighter has become the national treasure of his homeland. As usual, all activities in the Philippines will come to a halt.
He has not disappointed his rabid followers, but all good things must come to an end. Is this the time?
It really depends on Margarito. Saddled with disgrace after being found with loaded gloves in his loss to “Sugar” Shane Mosley in January 2009, Margarito was suspended for a year and a subject for ridicule.
This is his chance to erase all that. But Pacquiao, even with his recent move into politics and a fascination for singing, has been the boxer for all seasons. As important, he remains a lone international superstar in a lagging game.
It could be a great bout if Margarito makes it one. Otherwise, it’s the Pac Man in another walk. Then the talk about a match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. will start up again.
Already a disappointment is the fact Youngstown’s Kelly Pavlik is off the card because of a rib injury. The pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. for a suggested $54.95.
Numbers: Promoter Bob Arum of Las Vegas-based Top Rank Inc. said the bout should draw between 60,000 to 70,000. Pacquiao’s win against Clottey drew 50,994.
Other top U.S. indoor crowds were the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks match that attracted 63,350 in 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome and the 59,995 that saw Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker in the Alamodome in San Antonio in 1993.
Regrets: Friends can cost you.
Cleveland light heavyweight Ron Johnson let his emotions get the best of him last Friday night in Cleveland Heights. When his longtime buddy, Cleveland cruiserweight Aaron Williams, was stopped by Philadelphia’s Garret Wilson in the seventh round, Johnson admitted he flew into a rage.
Entering the ring to protest the job done by referee Randy Jarvis, Johnson reportedly got into more than just a shoving match with both the referee and Wilson’s handlers. The Cleveland Heights police were summoned and Johnson, who turned 25 on Saturday, was cited for disorderly conduct. He was not arrested. He has a court date on Tuesday.
“First of all, I want to apologize to Randy Jarvis and the other fighter,” said Johnson, who stands 11-1 (2 KOs). “My reason for being upset was I thought the ref let Aaron take some unnecessary punishment.”
According to reports, favored Williams (20-3-1, 13 KOs) was winning the bout, but got caught and staggered in the seventh. He got tangled in the ropes, according to Johnson, and had a knee on the canvas, which would have called for a mandatory 8-count. But Wilson (9-5-1, 4 KOs) continued punching and Jarvis stepped in to halt it.
Even with the apology, there will be repercussions.
Ohio Athletic Commission Chairman Bernie Profato was out of town on vacation and did not attend Wednesday’s monthly OAC meeting in Garfield Heights. However, he was aware of the situation.
“The facts will come out,” said Profato, who intends to read the referee’s report and that of OAC inspector Jim Myers. “[Johnson’s] actions could have led to a more serious incident. It will be investigated and presented in front of the commission.”
Johnson is likely facing a suspension and fine.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-5168
