The battle between good and evil has been portrayed throughout history in literature, television, film, and sports. The middle of the twentieth century saw heroes and outlaws of the late nineteenth century played out on the big screen. Actors such as John Wayne, Charles Bronson, and Clint Eastwood cut their teeth playing heroes, anti-heroes, and sometimes outlaws, in westerns. The hero, usually portrayed as a town?s Sheriff or Marshall, donned a white hat, and fought to bring the outlaw, usually wearing a black hat, to justice.
The genre evolved through the seventies and eighties, and into the nineteen-nineties, where outlaws such as John ?Doc? Holliday, and Billy ?The Kid? Bonney, were made into central characters of movies such as ?Tombstone? and ?Young Guns?. Today, good westerns are few and far between, but they strike at the core of the heart of American movie-goers.
In all combat sports, we routinely see one combatant play up the role of the outlaw as a selling point for the fight. From time-to-time, one combatant will play the outlaw unintentionally, yet unapologetically. The idea of the good?s triumph over the bad, appeals to the majority of humanity. However, a strong minority tend to cheer heavily for the outlaw.
Saturday November 13, 2010, the old western film theme of ?Sheriff vs. Outlaw? will play out under the bright lights of Cowboys Stadium, as Manny Pacquiao dons his white hat and takes aim at the black-clad Antonio Margarito. Manny Pacquiao, the hero of this promotion, is the heavy betting and fan favorite. Margarito, the clear underdog and outlaw, has maintained a strong and dedicated following, despite his critics.
Despite the controversy surrounding this fight, fan reception and anticipation has been running extremely high. Manny Pacquiao, who in the eyes of many, stands for everything that is good in boxing. He fights whoever is put in front of him, even when the opponent is not the best choice. In front of cameras, Pacquiao remains humble and personable. Pacquiao is a hero and idol in his home country of The Philippines, and has become a mainstream attraction in the United States.
Antonio Margarito is the outlaw in this promotion. His year-long suspension in January 2009 brought infamy he will likely never live down. Margarito?s then-trainer, Javier Capetillo, was caught trying to insert knuckle pads covered in a plaster-like substance into his handwraps, prior to his WBA welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley, a bout in which he was knocked out in the ninth round.
Margarito and Capetillo were both suspended. Margarito served his suspension, but fought in Mexico in May of 2010, without approval of the California State Athletic Commission. Margarito?s blatant disregard for California?s ruling put him in line for some much-deserved criticism. Despite a second failed attempt to regain his license in August, Margarito sought refuge in the friendly confines of the state of Texas. The Texas commission?s generous ruling on Margarito?s license application has created the perfect scenario for Hall-of-Fame promoter Bob Arum to spin.
Manny Pacquiao soaked in the positive press, as he performed a karaoke version of John Lennon?s ?Imagine? with actor and boxing fan, Will Ferrell. This past Sunday, President Barack Obama served as the undercard to Pacquiao?s appearance on ?60 Minutes?. In seemingly another world, Antonio Margarito quietly went about his business in Oxnard, California, and unintentionally vilified himself further with his on-camera mockery of Freddie Roach?s Parkinson?s syndrome.
The circumstances could not have worked out any better for Bob Arum and Top Rank.
In a historically-packed month of boxing, this bout has had to compete for headlines with many other marquee fights, including next week?s middleweight title bout between Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams. Despite the negative that has come with Antonio Margarito, this fight is expected to perform well on pay-per-view, and at the live gate, and will prove once again, that Good vs. Bad always sells.
