As the opening bell tolls to signify the start of the Manny Pacquiao – Antonio Margarito megafight at Arlington, Texas, the eyes of the world would like to see who will emerge on top.
By: Geoff Latayan
The weigh-in of the Pacquiao-Margarito fight showed nothing of the intensity that will take place in fight night Saturday (Sunday morning, Manila Time).
There you saw both fighters calm and collected and showed confidence of making the weight for the fight.
The Tijuana Tornado, who is having his second fight after coming off a one-year ban because of the illegal knuckle pads found in his hand wraps after his fight with Shane Mosley, tipped the scales at 150 pounds, the catchweight for this WBC Superwelterweight championship.
On the other hand, the man known presently as Congressman Pacman came in at an extra light 144.6 pounds and this is a disparity that could work for him or against him.
It could work for him because it would mean he would be faster for a bigger Margarito. But what if Margarito, at 150 plus the extra pounds that he will gain overnight, would match Pacman’s speed and connect power punches early that can hurt the pride of the Philippines?
As for the Tijuana Tornado, what if Pacquiao would seize the moment, using his vaunted speed to the hilt and when it would be time to punch back, the target has moved away from his shadows, preparing at the weirdest angle possible for a quick combo or his dreaded left.
It will be a classic Speed versus Power battle but it would also be a History against Redemption.
History as Pacquiao will go for his eighth weight division title since winning his first over Thai Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC Flyweight belt.
He broke the record of six set by Oscar dela Hoya, whom he bludgeoned in eight rounds, with his win against Miguel Cotto (Incidentally, Margarito TKOd Cotto in 11 rounds) in 2009 for the WBO Welterweight crown.
Nobody has ever won seven crowns in seven weight divisions and the Filipino puncher, who is now the Representative of Saranggani, has made history.
Even more if he wins his eighth. That would cement his status as a legendary fighter.
For Margarito, it would be redemption. He would like to prove that the three times that he ruled the welterweight ranks were for real.
Margarito would also like vengeance for the losses of his fellow Mexican fighters that fell to Pacquiao like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and de la Hoya (an American with a Mexican descent).
He would like to redeem his tarnished reputation, after being suspended and had his license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission for a year because of the illegal hand wraps fiasco after the Mosley fight.
Referee Lawrence Cole, who refereed the Barrera-Pacquiao I and was famous for his first round knockdown (that could have been a slip) call on Pacman in that fight, will have his hands filled in an enormous way. He should officiate it fairly or else the world will be his willing and active critic.
The judges in this fight, Oren Shellenberger, Juergen Langos and Rick Crocker, would be the eyes of the people as they will score at ringside the clear blows, the boxer who dominated every round and the winner of this bout. They would be hoped to have a fair and impartial judging if the fight reached the distance.
This match is critical. Critical for Pacquiao’s legacy and critical for Margarito’s reputation. The best man should be well-prepared, well-conditioned and well… destined to win this fight.
As the opening bell rings to start the fight, the protagonists will unravel their gym-learned moves, boxing stratagems and haymakers. The man who will be better than the other shall win this historic bout at the biggest and the grandest stage ever – Cowboys Stadium and the television screens worldwide.
The man that his hand would be raised after the fight shall be recognized by the world. It would be either he will be recognized for his historic achievement or he will be recognized for his path to redemption.
Take your pick: Pacman or El Tornado de Tijuana (The Tijuana Tornado).
