Pacquiao has transcended Mayweather
Watching the Cowboys Stadium showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito as I did on BT Vision?s version of Sky Plus, I noticed, with the main event about to begin, that there wasn?t much ?tape? left. First I worried that the system has failed to record the entire fight, then I concluded that it had not lasted long. This led to a fear deep in my stomach that Margarito had stopped Pacquiao early, destroying my magazine prediction of a dominant display and late stoppage from Manny. When I heard Pacman was outweighed by 17lbs on the night that dread only tightened its icy grip. This fear lasted until around a minute into round one, when Manny?s unparalleled speed immediately made Margarito look like a stunted slug.
Unfortunately my original feeling regarding BT Vision was proved correct ? it cut out at the end of the third round. I think the programme was schedule to end at 5am and BT Vision, like Margarito (from what I saw and later heard) failed to adapt. Pacquiao?s triumph was reportedly ? and in the opening three sessions ? as destructive as it was one-sided. It delighted me for many reasons and I?d be lying if I did not admit foremost among these was that the easy task I had predicted for the Filipino came to fruition ? though he failed to grab the stoppage, perhaps partly due to Margarito?s ?brave? corner. But what pleased me more was Margarito getting his just desserts after he and Brandon Rios had mocked Manny?s trainer Freddie Roach?s Parkinson?s disease ? which was both reprehensible and unforgivable. Needless to say I don?t buy the Mexican?s excuses. But most of all it was heartening to watch Pacquiao make the improbable not just possible but easy yet again.
While many observers felt he would have this one all his own way, that does not detract from the latest in a long line of fantastic feats achieved, at least recently, against far larger men. I have for several years been desperate to see a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather superfight but that longing has gradually lessened. Yes it would be a huge boon for the sport and would settle the biggest debate in boxing. But Pacquiao has already done so much he does not deserve his legacy being tarnished if he were to lose. Because like it or not, if Floyd were to defeat him, the tale of Manny?s incredible success leading into the megafight would be revised almost immediately. That would not be fair and nor would a victory for a bigoted, self-important, money and fame-obsessessed fighter over one of the greatest ambassadors for the sport in my generation. Pacquiao could retire tomorrow and while I would feel a hint of regret at his never meeting Mayweather, I would not blame him and his legacy would be assured. Can Floyd say the same?
Bad news for Jones? good news for Brook
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Kell Brook could have been either licking his lips or watching through his fingers as Phillie?s Mike Jones ? the Sheffield man?s slated opponent next year for the WBO welterweight title ? went to war with Mexican Jesus Soto Karass. Licking his lips because the physically imposing Jones looked open to a sharp counter-puncher ? which Brook is but Soto Karass is not ? or watching through his fingers because after punching himself out in an attempt to finish matters in the second, the American looked as if he may slip to ignominious ?tune-up? defeat.
It always looked a tougher keep-busy contest than Brook?s December 11 date with the faded Michael Clark. Jones did not have the experience of hard fights that his opponent possessed and that was why he did not recover as quickly from sustained punishment as the Mexican. That Jones showed major vulnerability and went through a draining battle but still won a contentious decision is nothing but good news for Brook.
Cracking fight incidentally.
Murray beats Rios
It may appear somewhat foolhardy to overrate our fighters, especially in comparison to their foreign counterparts ? the conclusive nature of Kevin Mitchell?s defeat to Michael Katsidis was a wake-up call for many British boxing writers in that regard (myself included). But I truly believe Manchester?s European lightweight champion John Murray beats Californian Brandon Rios, against whom the Brit has been nominated to fight in a WBC eliminator. Not in two-three fights, but right now.
Rios failed to impress despite stopping slick Canadian Omri Lowther on the Texas bill. Lowther, for all his smart defensive skills and lateral movement, never possessed the ammunition to keep the strong, powerful Rios off, but he exposed enough flaws and limitations to fill Murray with confidence.
Murray and Rios are similar ? both patient, ruthless pressure-fighters with high guards. But Rios is more economical, one-paced and open. Rios chuckled each time Lowther tagged him ? this happened often ? but Murray could do the same and that would be no laughing matter for the Californian.
?Rigo? realism
No, Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux did not look like the best amateur of all-time in taking a split decision and the WBA interim super-bantam belt against Panama?s Ricardo Cordoba. Nor did he appear to be the next pro superstar. But let?s get a little perspective. It was ?Rigo?s? seventh fight and regardless of his near-500 amateur fights he faced a huge disadvantage in pro experience and had never gone anywhere close to 12 rounds. Add that Cordoba was a former holder of the title and had defeated Celestino Caballero, and you have to give Rigondeaux credit for a job well done. His backfoot, counter-punching tactics in the second half may have upset the crowd but it was smart and I felt he won clearly in the end. Even at 30, he is only going to get better as he becomes accustomed to the pro game. The expectations were perhaps a little too high, even given his amateur pedigree. Let?s not now visit the other extreme and write him off.
Final thought
That British viewers had to pay ?14.95 for the David Haye-Audley Harrison farce, while we got to see Pacquiao-Margarito, Rigondeaux-Cordoba, Rios and the outstanding Jones-Soto Karass scrap for free via the same broadcaster is ridiculous to the point of hilarity.
