I AGREE with Bob Arum.
“After this, no more fights for Manny beyond 147 pounds,” said Bob.
I seem to like that.
So, enough of this business of tossing Manny Pacquiao into outer space to shoot for the stars, if not Jupiter or Mars, please?
He’s not getting any younger.
Yes, Manny Pacquiao, 32 in December, has become a boxing phenom, but let’s all be clear about this: He isn’t a robot.
He’s also a human. As warm a body as Angelina Jolie. Congressman now even.
In his next fight on Nov. 14 (Manila Time), Pacquiao will be pitted virtually against a giant in Antonio Margarito – and that’s where Bob Arum is worried. Genuinely.
At 5-foot-11, Margarito enjoys the tremendous height advantage of almost six inches as Pacquiao is barely 5-foot-6.
They fight for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight crown at 154 lbs, which is right down Margarito’s alley.
It’s as if we are constantly hearing Margarito tell Pacquiao, “Come to my parlor, amigo.”
While Pacquiao has actually achieved the almost impossible feat of clinching the 147-lb World Boxing Organization welterweight title for an unprecedented seventh crown in seven different divisions, his target of capturing an eighth world crown in another weight category seven pounds heavier at 154 does not only boggle the mind.
It’s scary, plain and simple.
Bob Arum sums it best.
“At fight night, Margarito will most likely weigh 165 pounds,” said Bob, Pacquiao’s promoter, breaking the news with terror etched in his eyes.
That’s 14 pounds beyond the catch weight 151 stipulated for the fight.
And Bob’s not joking when he said that.
At nearly six-feet, Margarito’s normal boxing weight is 155 lbs that’s why he’s as comfortable at 154 as a baby fast asleep in its crib.
And who can dispute Bob, who’s been around in the boxing business so long he would know what kind of a punch thrown by anyone atop the ring with his eyes closed.
In his farewell statement in Baguio before flying home to Las Vegas, Bob said Pacquiao should sit still at 147 lbs after the Margarito fight.
“At the most, Manny will weigh 155 on fight time,” said Bob. “He’ll be at an undue disadvantage against the taller, heftier Margarito coming in at 165.”
But Bob said Pacquiao would compensate for his lack in height and heft with his speed and, yes, punching power.
Well, the truth is, Pacquiao packs a wallop almost triple his weight division that’s why he has become the biggest hitter of his generation.
It is this facet in his arsenal that I base my prediction that, despite his physical edge, Margarito will still kiss the canvas come Nov. 14.
To say that Margarito will last the distance would be a complement of the first order.
Place your bets.
Source: manilastandardtoday.com
