We're just 10 days away from the highly anticipated match-up between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. Many things are discussed, and something I have yet to see on these boards, is a mega discussion based on how competitive Pacquiao/Margarito when compared to Pacquiao's last fights.
Pacquiao's last fights:
Clottey
Cotto
Hatton
Oscar de la Hoya
David Díaz
Margarito's last five fights:
García
Mosley
Cotto
Cintrón
Johnson
Margarito hasn't blown anyone out of the water other than García and Johnson. The "X" factor weighing in and that we're all eager to see whether the weight of 151 will finally be too large for Pacquiao. We'll have to wait and see whether it factors in or not.
When we consider Pacquiao's last five opponents: none of them have been competitive.
Supposing the favored outcome does indeed unfold (Pacquiao wins), where do you think Margarito will fall on a competitive scale compared to Pacquiao's last five opponents?
Pacquiao's last opponents (in order of competitiveness):
Cotto-won the first round, was game throughout the first 4 or 5 rounds of the fight. Actually won 2 rounds on one of the judges's scorecards prior to the stoppage (and conceivably could've won round 4 had he not been knocked down). Gave Pacquiao cauliflower ear.
Clottey-won 1 round on one of the judges's scorecards. Did some slight damage to Pacquiao's right eye. Highly inactive, took a lot of punches, and toughed it out, but absolutely blown out scorewise.
Oscar de la Hoya- took a beating from beginning to end. Oscar probably won a single round on one of the judges's scorecards. Hardly landed punches. Slow, ineffective, and took a lot of punches to the face. Round 7 was scored a 10-8 round without a knockdown. De la Hoya toughed it out for 8 rounds before the corner stopped it before the 9th round could begin.
Hatton- a game Hatton was eager to overpower Pacquiao but it worked against him. Knocked down twice in round 1. Gathered his head and tried to pressure Pacquiao more intelligently in round 2. Could've won round 2 (not that it matters), but was knocked out brutally in the closing seconds of round 2 with a single left hook to the jaw.
Díaz- similar to the De la Hoya fight, but more grotesque. Pacquiao's speed blitzed Díaz for nine grueling rounds. He was cut, battered, and outhustled by Pacquiao. One round was scored 10-8 without a knockdown for Pacquiao. Díaz was as brave as any fighter, but the damage accumulated and Díaz crumbled to the canvas from an accumulation of punches; swollen, cut, battered, and tired. Probably the most violent result between the five.
My question is: Where do you think Margarito will fall into all of this (competitively)?
VOTE!!!!
I expect it to be much like the Cotto fight, where Margarito will come out psyched, ready to go, looking great for a few rounds, but Manny will simply be better and by the end of the fight will be putting a bad beating on Margarito.
I'll say Margarito is competitive for a couple rounds longer, but by round 6 or 7 Pac will take over for good.
The fight is FIXED in Pac's favor.
Just like Pac-Clottey was FIXED, and Pac-DelaHoya was FIXED, so will Pac-Margarito.
Thanks to Oscar's corruptiveness.
What the hell has Oscar got to do with Bob Arum's fighters? Those fighters you mentioned are not handled by Oscar. Flawed logic.
Margarito's workrate is **** when you hut him like Mosley did. Don't know why people don't think Pacquiao isn't capable of hurting Margarito.
I think mosley is the harder puncher, and just the stronger guy overall. He tied margarito up nicely too, something i don't see pac doing in this fight.
This should be an interesting fight, could be hype, but i think this is an easy fight for pac, could be dangerous.
Fairly competive early but as the fight wears on I believe that Manny will take more and more control.
Really? I'm currently torn on it. And to think a few months ago I would've blatantly picked Pacquiao.
I still think Margarito's chin holds up to Pacquiao's punches. If he can weather the first 6-8 rounds and conserves his stamina, it could get interesting.
If there's a stoppage by either fighter, it's most likely to be late in the fight.
Margarito's workrate is **** when you hut him like Mosley did. Don't know why people don't think Pacquiao isn't capable of hurting Margarito.
If you think Pacman possess Mosley's type of power,you are simply crazy!!
It's gonna be really competitive!!Pacman hasn't faced a real pressure fighter at the higher weights,If Margarito is 60% of what he was against Cotto,this fight will be a war!!Margarito is as tough as Clottey with near Pacman like workrate,U throw,Pacman gets hit,Margarito throws!!
do you have an option for in between Cotto and Diaz.
He will just be to slow and eat punches like Diaz, but when Marg does land Pac will feel them like the Cotto fight.