Pacquiao vs Margarito is set

Image by Getty Images North America via @daylife

For whatever reason, Floyd Mayweather has refused to fight Manny Pacquiao this year. Instead, fight fans will be treated to a more entertaining but less marketable and less ethical fight pitting the dynamic Filipino against the brawling WBC 154lbs champ Antonio Margarito.

This isn’t particularly good for the sport for a number of reasons. Firstly, Margarito doesn’t deserve a fight with Pacquiao given his disgraceful use of illegal hand wraps in his fight with Shane Mosley. Margarito has only just come off a year long ban and has yet to receive a license to fight in any of the big fighting States. Secondly, Margarito was pummeled by Shane Mosley in their fight back in 2009, barely winning a round and leaving many skeptical that he hadn’t cheated in any of his other fights.

However, this fight will be a lot of fun.

Margarito is a come forward pressure fighter who does not know the meaning of retreat. While his skills are also underrated, Margarito’s will sets him apart from other fighters and he has the ability to make any fight competitive. The fight with Pacquiao looks to be set at 154lbs (although Pacquiao will most likely demand a catch weight) giving the Mexican an inherent advantage. Margarito is immensely strong, and given Pacquiao was fighting at 130lbs only two years ago, he will carry well over 15lbs of extra muscle on fight night.

Pacquiao’s incredible speed and pin point accuracy should negate most of these advantages, but it will take a few rounds to slow the oncoming freight train. And for those rounds, expect an all out war as Margarito asserts his will and Pacquiao defends his territory.

I don’t give Margarito much of a chance against Pacquiao given the discrepancy in talent, but in terms of pure action, you couldn’t really ask for more.

So yes, buy the PPV. You will certainly get your money’s worth.