Nothing but Pacquiao anywhere you go

By Al S. Mendoza

IT’S still a week away, but look what’s happening.

Everybody’s talking about it.

In fact, it’s been that way since the deal was sealed about three months ago.

From the candy store to the chapel, from the barber shop to the meat shop, the Pacquiao-Margarito fight remains the hottest topic.

It will be the order of the day up to the time they climb up the ring on November 14 (Manila Time) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Unless one’s a nut, everybody points to a Pacquiao victory.

The question isn’t who is going to win.

The question is, what round will the fight gong to end.

Or, when will Pacquiao want to finish Margarito off.

Inside six rounds?  Eleven rounds?

The one who says Pacquiaoo is going to lose risks being tagged a traitor.

These days, that is a crime worst than Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus Christ.

In short, in this country of plus-90 million, everybody’s forbidden to say Margarito is going to win.

One isn’t even allowed to say Margarito has a chance.

The only chance given the Mexican is none and nil.

Even if Margarito is a giant at almost six feet tall for an imposing five-inch advantage over Pacquiao.

Even if Margarito is a natural super welterweight and Pacquiaoo is already a stranger at welterweight.

With his height, the 5-foot-11 Margarito is built for 154 lb, which is the limit in the super welterweight division.

With his height, the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao is perfectly suited at 147 lb and becomes an overstretched fighter even at the catch weight 151 that the fight had been set into.

While Margarito is now being bandied about as easily making the 151 lb, and next climbing the ring at about 165 a day after the weigh-in, Pacquiao is having problems hitting 150.

Pacquiao’s shortness makes it almost impossible for him to hit 155 on fight night and still be in shape to topple the towering giant in Margarito.

Once he gets bloated in a bid to pack in more weight and power, Pacquiao could be slowed down, though, and that could prove to be his Waterloo.

Remember, speed is Pacquiao’s No. 1 weapon.  With extra poundage stuffed into his lean frame, he’d be courting trouble, if not flirting with disaster.

Let’s pray that even with that extra baggage on his shoulders, his speed won’t desert him.  With quickness and agility, Pacquiao becomes unhittable – as he has proven time and again.

A giant can be beaten by a lilliputian, as in the case of that David & Goliath myth where David slew the Goliath with just one slingshot to the eye.

Let’s pray it will still be that way on November 14.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments