By Gareth A Davies, Telegaph.co.uk
If styles make fights, then this was a thriller as Manny Pacquiao became a world champion in eight weight divisions, winning the vacant WBC light-middleweight title and boxing Antonio Margarito to a standstill. Pacquiao was magnificent, and this was a masterclass.There was 17 lbs difference in weight, almost five inches in height, a five inch reach advantage, yet Pacquiao’s superior hand speed was apparent from the off. Pacquiao was awarded the contest 118-100, 119-109, 120-108 on the judges’ cards after twelve non-stop rounds of boxing.
A much better round from Margarito in the second as Pacquiao came in for lightning attacks, throwing combinations. Margarito enjoyed some success with left-right combinations, as two fiercely determined men went to war.
The third round was Pacquiao’s. A great left right and then a three punch combination. Margarito grins at the hand speed, and then lands with a looping right hand.
Pacquiao is astounding in the fourth, really turning it on, hurting the bigger, heavier man, a spring in his step, with a barrage of left hands developing an ugly welt under Margarito’s right eye, landing clean with a left-right down the pipe. The clean shots slow the Mexican. Pacquiao is clinical in the fifth, with a right hook and a left hand, though Margarito responds with a great effort. Pacquiao responds in turn to attack.
Margarito responds again bravery – Pacquiao almost applauds him – but the Filipino replies with combinations and is on the ascendancy again at the end of the round.
It is becoming a battle of two warriors.
Pacquiao moves brilliantly in the sixth round, scoring off the back foot, as Margarito continues to plough forward. A wonderful fight, with Pacquiao elusive, and Margarito hunting for a war.
The sixth was Margarito’s most dangerous round. Pacquiao looked hurt to the body in the final minute, complaining possibly about a low blow, or hurt to the body, backpedalling but then rallying in the last 20 seconds.
The seventh round was all Pacquiao, scoring from different angles. Margarito landed two big right hands but Pacquiao responds with a five-punch barrage, and they trade in a neutral corner at the end of the round.
Between rounds, Margarito’s right eye looks almost closed.
Trainer Freddie Roach had predicted an eighth round finish, and although huge punches rain in from Pacquiao as he is on the ropes, he turns his opponent, and moves from defence to attack. They trade again, toe-to-toe, at the end of the round.
Pacman has a quiet first minute in the ninth, but then moves cleverly keeps himself at distance with Margarito still trying to load up, both eyes swollen, still doggedly marching forward. A great round by Pacquiao.
Round ten. The referee takes a look at the Mexican’s eye. Speed and precision from Pacquiao again, a vicious attack, having to be soaked up by the bigger man. A right hand stopped Margarito in his tracks with 15 seconds remaining, and Pacquiao looked for the finish. A massive round for Pacquiao, but incredible heart from the Mexican.
In the eleventh, Pacquiao is on his toes again, landing with precision, whipping out lefts and rights, picking his opponent off. The referee checks Magarito’s eye again, and immediately throws a right hand to show his intention. Pacquiao lands with two barrages. The bell rings and Pacquiao looks tired, finally.
Pacquiao boxes his way cleverly through the final stanza, in and out of range scoring with both hands. Margarito may be one of the bravest, but Pacquiao is quite simply the best boxer on the planet, and up there with the best in history. Pacquiao will go down in history – speed, precision, power, dynamism, heart, fitness – and will be sorely missed when he leaves the sport.
“I would like to fight Floyd Mayweather, but I don’t need him, because I am happy with what I have acheived in my boxing career,” said the Congressman for Sarangani.
Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather must now be made for next year.
Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment