Tweet
Martinez vs. Williams winner a step too far for Pacquiao vs. Margarito victor?
Not so long ago the only fight many fans were really talking about was Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, although over the two failed attempts to make the fight happen, the constant steroid accusations, the racially offensive tirade and Mayweather's arrest for alleged domestic abuse, some of the appeal of that fight has been lost.
Mayweather continues to talk up fighting Pacquiao at some point, but for the time being it looks no closer than it ever has, and it still isn't known when he even intends to fight again, current legal problems aside.
Increasingly, fans no longer believe the two sides will ever come to a agreement, especially given that both Floyd and his trainer Roger Mayweather are facing possible jail time in the near future. Not to mention that the respective promoters of the two fighters are once again at war, and don't look or sound too eager to try to work together again in the near future.
(See Michael Marley's latest piece for more details of the Top Rank, Golden Boy squabbling)
That being the case, prospective opponents for Pacquiao in the future, who has nearly exhausted the viable pool of Top Rank talent, might have to come from further afield. Miguel Cotto is still a possibility, but the two have already fought and it wasn't particularly close the first time. Joshua Clottey likewise, and Antonio Margarito's name will probably soon be added to that list.
Ordinarily if you were to bring up the idea of most natural lightweights taking on fighters who have the height at least to be in the heavyweight division, you might expect to soon after be dragged away to a secure hospital ward by some men in white coats.
But increasingly, Pacquiao fans are starting to believe that if he can make short work of Antonio Margarito, then he can go on to fight the winner of Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II.
Williams is always keen to maintain that he can still make welterweight, and that the reason he never fights there is that noone wants to take him on. Which is probably why he eventually agreed to rematch Sergio Martinez despite the fact that he had previously intended to move back down.
If Pacquiao could beat either Williams or Martinez, then arguably it would be more of a feat than beating Mayweather, who is probably the more talented boxer but doesn't have the same physical advantages of either.
Certainly Pacquiao wouldn't be the heavy favorite he has been for his last few fights, and against either he could well be beaten convincingly, but if he can get past the 5,11 Margarito, then fans at least will be eager to insist that he could overcome either.
Despite the size disadvantages though, both Williams and Martinez can be, and have been beaten, and with Pacquiao's speed advantage and the right fighting weight to suit it might not be as ridiculous as it sounds for him to take on one of them in the future.
It's highly unlikely that either Bob Arum or Freddie Roach would ever be keen to match Pacquiao up against either Williams or Martinez, purely because of the size difference even if the fight were to take place at welterweight.
If Mayweather is out of the picture though and he makes short work of Margarito, who has similar physical advantages, then the calls for Pacquiao to take on the winner of their meeting later this year could get louder.
If on the other hand Margarito beats Pacquiao, which some are backing him to, then a rematch with either Williams or Martinez would also be a good fight, and could probably take place anywhere from welterweight to full middleweight.
Margarito beat a still green Martinez ten years ago, and despite some bizarre and unfounded rumors that the pair were sparring with each other recently, Martinez has been eager for a chance at revenge ever since.
Williams conversely beat Margarito in 2007, but the fight was close enough that a rematch would be welcomed by most, and many scoring the fight had it either in Margarito's favor or as a draw after the Mexican won many of the later rounds after initially struggling.
Mayweather continues to talk up fighting Pacquiao at some point, but for the time being it looks no closer than it ever has, and it still isn't known when he even intends to fight again, current legal problems aside.
Increasingly, fans no longer believe the two sides will ever come to a agreement, especially given that both Floyd and his trainer Roger Mayweather are facing possible jail time in the near future. Not to mention that the respective promoters of the two fighters are once again at war, and don't look or sound too eager to try to work together again in the near future.
(See Michael Marley's latest piece for more details of the Top Rank, Golden Boy squabbling)
That being the case, prospective opponents for Pacquiao in the future, who has nearly exhausted the viable pool of Top Rank talent, might have to come from further afield. Miguel Cotto is still a possibility, but the two have already fought and it wasn't particularly close the first time. Joshua Clottey likewise, and Antonio Margarito's name will probably soon be added to that list.
Ordinarily if you were to bring up the idea of most natural lightweights taking on fighters who have the height at least to be in the heavyweight division, you might expect to soon after be dragged away to a secure hospital ward by some men in white coats.
But increasingly, Pacquiao fans are starting to believe that if he can make short work of Antonio Margarito, then he can go on to fight the winner of Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II.
Williams is always keen to maintain that he can still make welterweight, and that the reason he never fights there is that noone wants to take him on. Which is probably why he eventually agreed to rematch Sergio Martinez despite the fact that he had previously intended to move back down.
If Pacquiao could beat either Williams or Martinez, then arguably it would be more of a feat than beating Mayweather, who is probably the more talented boxer but doesn't have the same physical advantages of either.
Certainly Pacquiao wouldn't be the heavy favorite he has been for his last few fights, and against either he could well be beaten convincingly, but if he can get past the 5,11 Margarito, then fans at least will be eager to insist that he could overcome either.
Despite the size disadvantages though, both Williams and Martinez can be, and have been beaten, and with Pacquiao's speed advantage and the right fighting weight to suit it might not be as ridiculous as it sounds for him to take on one of them in the future.
It's highly unlikely that either Bob Arum or Freddie Roach would ever be keen to match Pacquiao up against either Williams or Martinez, purely because of the size difference even if the fight were to take place at welterweight.
If Mayweather is out of the picture though and he makes short work of Margarito, who has similar physical advantages, then the calls for Pacquiao to take on the winner of their meeting later this year could get louder.
If on the other hand Margarito beats Pacquiao, which some are backing him to, then a rematch with either Williams or Martinez would also be a good fight, and could probably take place anywhere from welterweight to full middleweight.
Margarito beat a still green Martinez ten years ago, and despite some bizarre and unfounded rumors that the pair were sparring with each other recently, Martinez has been eager for a chance at revenge ever since.
Williams conversely beat Margarito in 2007, but the fight was close enough that a rematch would be welcomed by most, and many scoring the fight had it either in Margarito's favor or as a draw after the Mexican won many of the later rounds after initially struggling.
Comment