Million Buy Mismatch in Billion Dollar Stadium
So, here we are again, pumping up another Pacquaio victory against an over-matched opponent. Whether it be by draining a guy, or beating up a guy who is already done, Manny continues to transcend the sport with his accomplishments being blown up with the likes of President Obama. Yes, I know Margarito came in 17 pounds heavier and was the biggest guy Manny has faced, but his style, or lack thereof, led most who really know the sport to know that what happened tonight is exactly what was expected to happen.
Margarito is possibly the easiest top-billed guy in the sport to hit (with the exception of maybe Michael Katsidis). There is nothing about his slow, muggy style that led this writer to think that nothing but what I saw tonight was a likely outcome. I am in no way trying to knock Pacquiao?s performance, more trying to dampen it as an ?it is what it was supposed to be? moment. I know that writers like ESPN?s Dan Rafael and The Ring?s Doug Fischer will write about it as if it was the sinking of the Titanic or better yet the invention of the motorized car. Antonio Margarito fought his ass off and should be applauded for that; and Pacquaio should be congratulated on collecting another big payday against a guy in a fight tailor- made to his liking and benefit. The way Manny is handling his business as of late is the same style of business most knock the great Roy Jones for: milking HBO and boxing fans in fights that he is in no real danger of losing.
The only thing this writer can hope for now is that Floyd Mayweather quits hitting women, threatening his kids and bragging about beating Pacquaio up, and actually signs on to do it. Mayweather?s out-of-ring issues have made him ?public enemy number one,? and rightfully so. Yet, it is in the ring talents that may help make people forget about his actions and help restore that which he has worked so hard his entire life to achieve?. Respect. This is the only fight that matters for each, Manny fighting rematches against the likes of Cotto or Marquez seem watered down as opposed to a year ago; a fight with Mosley seems to only add fuel to the ?Manny fights guys after they are done? argument and holds little appeal after Molsey was embarrassed by Mayweather and fought to a boring draw against a fighter in Sergio Mora that a prime Molsey would have taken out in less than 6 rounds. Mayweather and Pacquaio need to hook up ? now more than ever ? and as usual we will have to play the ?let?s just pray it happens? game. I don?t know about the average fan out there but I don?t know how many more Pacquaio-Margarito?s or Mayweather-Baldomir?s I can take.
On a lighter note, Margarito proved tonight to be a legit competitor. Though he showed the same heart and will he showed against Cotto, he was out-matched in skill. Whatever happens from here on out ? whether you agree that he should be fighting again or not, anyone who saw him go out tonight like a true warrior should know he did it clean, he did it fair and he did it the right way. He redeemed himself, which might have been what this fight was all about.
