As Manny Pacquiao campaigns for a congressional seat against his political opponent, Roy Chongbian, fans anxiously await to learn who will be his next opponent in the ring. While most boxing enthusiasts long for what would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing (Pacquiao – Mayweather), it seems much more likely that Pacquiao will face Antonio Margarito later this year.
There’s a highly publicized rematch clause attached to the Mayweather – Mosley bout. All of the talk surrounding the fight seems to allude to the possibility that there will be a rematch regardless of who comes out victorious.
Meanwhile, Bob Arum has been very outspoken in saying there’s a good chance that Pacquiao will fight Antonio Margarito in September or November, depending upon whether Pacquiao loses or wins the election.
Arum has defended Margarito, whose handwraps were found to be embedded with a plaster of paris type substance just before his match with Shane Mosley in January of last year. The fight went on, but Margarito was suspended for the incident. Margarito lost to Mosley via TKO in Rnd. 9.
If there is to be no Pacquiao – Mayweather fight this year, a fight with Margarito makes good business sense. Pitting Pacquiao against a popular Mexican fighter would undoubtedly be a huge PPV draw.
Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya (AP Photo)
Arkansas has a large Hispanic community, many members of which have become Pacquiao fans.
Javier Martinez is a boxer and MMA fighter who lives in Avoca.
“Pacquiao has beaten a lot of great Mexican fighters. Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barerra, and look what he did to Oscar De La Hoya!” Martinez said. “He just has heart. Pacquiao has the heart of a lion. He’s the kind of guy that if you break his jaw, he’ll just keep fighting.”
Even with the possibility of Pacquiao – Margarito looming, every conversation about boxing seems to lead to the fight that fans really want to see.
“I think Pacquiao will beat Mayweather. If Mayweather does win, I’ll respect him. Right now, I don’t have any respect for him.”
Mayweather may be in for the toughest fight he’s had as a welterweight, but he’s still heavily favored. www.onlinesportshandicapping.com gives Mayweather a 79% chance of winning against No. 3 Pound for Pound welterweight, Shane Mosley.
Boxing enthusiast, Cliff Garrigus of Rogers said:
“It should be a good fight. I see Shane going the distance but losing the decision.”
With Pacquiao – Margarito, there’s even less of a perceived element of surprise.
“Manny will knock Margarito out before the fifth round.” Garrigus said.
Every true boxing fan wants to see evenly matched opponents go at it in the ring. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather will have the type of suspense that boxing fans love, but it looks like Pacquiao may have to take up his role as the “Mexicutioner” once more before a Mayweather fight can happen.
