GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—Manny Pacquiao threw bombs that could have toppled a brick wall. Antonio Margarito absorbed most of them, but refused to fall.
In a masterful display of speed and precision, Pacquiao dominated the taller, bigger Margarito from the opening bell to earn a lopsided unanimous decision on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) for the World Boxing Council super welterweight crown that further embellished his already sterling ring career.
Reasserting his dominance over Mexican fighters, the Filipino pound-for-pound king captured a record eighth title in as many divisions in his unprecedented march on history, a feat only Pacquiao himself could break if he decides to court danger again by moving to a higher weight class. As Pacquiao bruised, bloodied and eventually disfigured the face of Margarito, he proved again that, at least so far, speed trumps size. Against his largest opponent yet, Pacquiao did what Pacquiao always does: He dipped and danced and fired southpaw, he ducked and spun and landed a tornado of combinations. When it ended, Pacquiao had earned his 13th straight victory and the WBC’s vacant 154-pound title.
With each round, Margarito’s face worsened, as if Pacquiao was painting a brutal boxing masterpiece. It went like this: seventh round, left eye closed; eighth round, bleeding from nose; ninth round, left cheek bruised; 10th round, fight nearly stopped. In the 11th round, Pacquiao glanced at the referee, almost pleading for a stoppage. In the 12th round, he took mercy, punching rarely, virtually allowing Margarito to finish on his feet.
Pacquiao won every round on one scorecard, 120-108, and was ahead 119-109 and 118-110 on the other two. The Associated Press had it a 120-108 shutout.
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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