Some people see the fight for the vacant World Boxing Council light-middleweight title as a straight battle between good and evil – or, as one pundit put it, between Superman and Lex Luthor.
Enter Superman, aka Manny Pacquiao, aka Pac-Man, aka Filipino congressman Pacquiao. And Lex Luthor, aka Antonio Margarito, aka the Tijuana Tornado.
The two thirtysomethings clash at the state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboys stadium in Texas on Saturday – and, given how strongly the bookies favour Pac-Man (1-7), opinions are surprisingly divided on the outcome.
Partly it is because Margarito (9-2), a Mexican-American, is the taller by 12.7cm and has a 17.7cm longer reach. He is, of course, cast in the role of bad guy after being discovered with plaster of Paris wrapped between his hand bandages two years ago before a fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
That fight went ahead and perhaps not surprisingly, it was a disaster for a “sleep-walking” Margarito. It ended in the only knockout he has suffered in his career of 45 fights, 38 wins (27 by knockout), six losses and one no contest.
“He ended up looking like a cheat and a bum all in one fight,” quipped a commentator.
His US boxing licence was also suspended – this isn’t cricket, there are standards – but he is reported to have acquitted himself very well in a fight in Mexico against Roberto Garcia.
Pacquiao – who has a record of 56 fights, 51 wins (38 by knockout), three losses and two draws – will incredibly be attempting to add another title to the record seven he already holds.
Rated the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Pac-Man is a hero in the Philippines these days. His country’s conflicting factions apparently stop fighting so they can watch his bouts together, he appears in movies and he records music albums.
This will be the first time Pacquiao climbs into the ring since becoming a congressman, and the doomsayers reckon the many distractions will cost him the fight.
They say if the bigger – but slower – Margarito hits him hard, as he can even without rocks in his gloves, Pac-Man could be cornered.
A drawn fight is 33-1.
The fight between WBC heavyweight champion David Haye (1-7) and 1990 Olympic Gold Medal winner Audley Harrison (5-1) has been called an absolute mismatch.
The bout takes place in Manchester, England, on Saturday and word is that Haye has sidestepped a fight against brothers Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko – who hold the other versions of the world title – for a lucrative and almost risk-free “business deal” with Harrison.
The two were apparently close friends but have fallen out and there is a lot of “feeling” in the fight.
Many say Harrison does not deserve the title shot, but he is believed to have the traditional “slugger’s chance”. A draw is 50-1.
