Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, as Manny Pacquiao tries to capture his eighth world title in as many weight classes and Antonio Margarito tries to capture the middleweight belt for the second time, the two fighters will meet in the middle.
Pacquiao, who won his first title at 112 pounds, takes on Margarito, a welterweight champ, at a 150-pound catch weight (four pounds under the normal middleweight limit).
Pacquiao comes in with a 51-3-2 record with 38 KO. Margarito is 38-6 with 27 KO.
It is definitely easier to step up in weight than drop a class and the 150-pound catch weight is no fluke as Pacquiao tries to minimize Margarito’s power by forcing him down in pounds.
That is a major reason Pacquiao is -500 to win the fight and Margarito is +325.
This is a comeback of sorts for Margarito who, at 32, also gives a year away to Pacquiao. He has fought only once in the past two years after he was found with a plaster-like substance beneath his gloves in a fight with Shane Mosley.
In that one fight, which took place in Mexico, Margarito looked shaky and rusty against Robert Garcia. There is a feeling in the boxing community that the lay-off may do Margarito some good and allow him to get refocused.
Though Pacqiuao wouldn’t be the first lefty Margarito has beaten, it also won’t be the first time he’s lost to one. Of his six losses, three have come to lefties.
The thing Margarito needs to worry about more than anything is Pacquiao’s power. He is famous for the snapping kind of punches that you don’t see but all of sudden feel. While not the most technical of boxers (really, neither is), Pacquiao can put a hurting on you quickly if you don’t move.
Margarito’s main goals Saturday night will be to move around and miss the quick punches. If he can neutralize that aspect of the fight, he might have a shot. Maybe.
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