Manny Pacquiao picked up his eighth boxing title in an eighth different weight class by easily out-pointing Mexican former three-time world champion Antonio Margarito at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The “Pacman” took immediate control from the first bell and won almost every round on the judge’s scorecards as the ‘Tornado’ wilted under the pressure of Pacquiao’s speed and pressure combinations.
Pacquiao’s relentless come-forward style was all too much for Margarito, opening up a cut on his cheek and gradually closing his right eye to the point that Pacquiao asked the referee to step in and stop the fight in the eleventh round.
Margarito did catch the eight-time champion with a superb body shot in the sixth, dipping the legs of Pacquiao. Still, the Filipino returned with yet another combination to make it to the end of the round. Margarito made it to the last bell. But the judges’ scorecards predictably read 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110 to make former flyweight Pacquiao the new WBC light-middleweight champion of the world.
The defeat was Margarito’s seventh of his career, and it is hard to say where he goes from here. He may move up to middleweight and try again, although his reputation hasn’t yet recovered following the pre-fight controversy with Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach.
For Pacquiao, who moves to 52-3-2, it cements his place as one of the greatest fighters ever. He is a super-human being who may be unable to top this victory unless he can drag Floyd Mayweather away from his troubles long enough to get the fight on next year.
Speaking to reporters after the fight, Pacquiao told them his amazement at his achievements.
“I can’t believe I beat someone this big and this strong,” said Pacquiao. “I told the referee, ‘Look at his eyes; look at his cuts.’ And I did not want to damage him permanently. That’s not what boxing is about.”
The new 154lbs champion can’t even make 154. Pacquiao weighed in under the welterweight limit for the catch-weight bout. He may decide that one fight at the weight is enough as there aren’t many realistic challengers at light-middle, and he has already taken apart the best around in Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao’s place in boxing folklore is already secure – a champion at 112lbs in 1998 and now at 154lbs champion in 2010.
Furthermore, it’s an unbelievable achievement by the gr-eight Manny Pacquiao. It’s hard to see how things can get any better for the living legend.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
