“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” – Muhammad Ali
HEIGHT WON?T MATTER?
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol ? Height is probably the most noticeable contrast between Antonio ?Loaded Hands? Margarito of Mexico and Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao of the Philippines. Margarito, at 5?11? and enjoying around 6 more inches of reach, seems to have an overwhelming advantage over the much smaller Pacquiao, who just stands at 5?6?. However, Margarito?s height isn?t something that team Pacquiao needs to worry about. He is more of an infighter who revels in toe to toe combat rather than keeping a safe distance by using his height and reach advantage to the hilt. The Tijuana Tornado hunches? therefore he doesn?t fight tall. Constant jabbing could keep Pacquiao at bay, but Margarito isn?t fond of using his jab, either. His fighting style and stance will make this considerable height and reach difference manageable for Pacquiao.
BUT SIZE PROBABLY WILL!
In this piece, size is referred to as something associated with weight. Height has nothing to do with it, as it also has nothing to do in the establishment of weight divisions, which is boxing?s ultimate basis for the distinction of size among pugilists. Now let?s go back to the subject at hand. Pacquiao?s conquest of perceived bigger fighters began when he challenged David Diaz for the erstwhile champ?s lightweight diadem. Then there was the taller De La Hoya? then Hatton? then Cotto? and most recently, Clottey. This time, the Filipino firebomb will move a notch higher by taking on a fighter who is not only bigger, but is also essentially moving up in weight.
CLOTTEY FIGHT WAS TELLING
Apart from Clottey, all the other fighters mentioned above didn?t have a significant advantage in weight during fight night. Believe it or not, Pacquiao even weighed heavier than De La Hoya did the night of their historic match. It might be recalled that Pacquiao demolished De La Hoya that fateful evening, forcing the six-division champ to quit on his stool. Clottey, on the other hand, survived the distance, and even claimed that Pacquiao didn?t hurt him. We all know that?s folly. But with closer examination, there?s probably more truth to that than most of us give undue credence for. Pacquiao threw countless bombs. He was relentless. He was unforgiving. On the flipside, Clottey, who weighed about ten pounds more than Pacquiao did when they traded mitts, was frugal and spent most of his time covering up. Amazingly, Pacquiao looked visibly more beat up after twelve rounds. That?s what a major size (weight) difference does.
MARGARITO IS A BETTER AND MORE DANGEROUS VERSION OF CLOTTEY
The Tijuana Tornado will be a similar case in terms of the weight difference. He is expected to capitalize on virtually the only advantage he?ll have over his opponent. By riding on the coat-tails of his enormous size and strength, he improves his chances. He makes his punches more potent and his body less permeable. Furthermore, Margarito, unlike Clottey, will be more concerned on hurting Pacquiao than merely protecting himself. Clottey might be better defensively, but Margarito is, far and wide, a superior offensive juggernaut. Add the fact that he?s probably in the best fighting shape of his boxing career, not to mention the great deal of motivation he has going into this fight, and you?ll have one tough assignment for the Pacman that looks a whole lot more difficult than the betting odds would suggest.
PACQUIAO MUST GO HEAD-HUNTING RIGHT OFF THE BAT!
The Pinoy ring legend could throw occasional bombs to the mid-section, but should not expect a significant effect. The head is where Margarito will be most vulnerable. The Mexican will target Pacquiao?s body in an attempt to slow him down and go for the kill in the later rounds. But throwing a body shot will leave him open for Pacquiao?s quick and stinging counters. Nonetheless, Pacquiao needs to keep in mind that he should avoid staying in front of Margarito, especially in the earlier rounds. The rope-a-dope he employed against Cotto and leaving himself open so that Clottey would throw a punch won?t work this time around against Margarito. He wouldn?t have to do so because Margarito will definitely want a brawl. Margarito won?t box like Cotto did in round 1 as much as he won?t be too timid like Clottey was throughout the fight.
$64,000 QUESTION: WHO WINS?
In a perfect world, Margarito could score an upset. But unfortunately for him, it?s almost impossible to imagine a perfect world when Manny Pacquiao is involved. Pacquiao?s awkward style, ring smarts, awesome power, granite chin, cat-quick reflexes, blinding speed, and horse-like stamina will once again prove to be too much to handle even for someone of Margarito?s size. Margarito?s height could even favor Pacquiao in this fight, just like it did in the De La Hoya tussle. Having a taller opponent makes it relatively easier for Pacquiao to duck low and move underneath the arm of a thrown punch and slide to the side to bedazzle and disorient his foe, while he unleashes a two or three-punch combination of his own. This fight has all the makings of a shutout or knockout victory for Pacquiao? but accidents do happen sometimes. All it takes is a lucky punch. Will Margarito land one? He better hope he does because whether he likes it or not, it?s the only conceivable way for him to win this fight.
