DALLAS ? Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, firmly established as one of the greatest boxers of all time, reaches out for another place in history against a fighter trying to redeem an image once tarnished and wrapped in controversy.
Pacquiao, long considered as the most exciting fighter to come out of his generation whose exploits could range with those of the sport?s past heroes, goes for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown against Mexican Antonio Margarito ? probably the Filipino?s biggest and toughest challenge in a long and storied career.
Six months after a big win in the political arena, the Filipino icon returns to the boxing ring Saturday (Sunday noon in Manila) to shoot for a record eighth championship in as many weight divisions.
Last May, during the Philippine national elections, Pacquiao made history by beating a heavyweight opponent and becoming the first boxer to be elected to Congress.
When he climbs the ring at the Cowboys Stadium before an expected crowd of 60,000, he?ll be chasing history once more.
On the other corner of the ring will be Margarito ? taller, bigger and supposedly stronger than all of Pacquiao?s previous opponents.
?This is what we?ve been waiting for,? said Pacquiao.
After the official weigh-in at the East end zone of the $1.2-billion football stadium, Pacquiao liked his chances even more, hinting that Margarito may have killed himself making weight.
?I?m happy coming in at 144.6 (lbs) and Margarito did not look good,? he said of his opponent, who came in at exactly 150 lbs, looking gaunt and weak he had to put his arm on his trainer getting off the stage.
Pacquiao is the only boxer with seven world titles in seven different weight classes, almost unbelievably moving up as champion in the flyweight, super-bantam, featherweight, super-feather, lightweight, light-welter and welterweight divisions.
He won his last four crowns in his last six fights, with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Only Marquez managed to last the distance, the three others suffered knockouts early, midway and late in the fight.
A victory over Margarito, almost five inches taller, and with a 73-inch wingspan as compared to Pacquiao?s 67, would cement the Filipino boxer?s status as the greatest of his era, and to some the greatest of all time.
Wise money says it?s Manny
