Pacquiao-Margarito: Weight of the matter

Manny Pacquiao’s biggest advantage in this weekend’s title fight against Antonio Margarito, aside from his work ethic, will be the weight, which everybody is talking about. Pacquiao will have the flexibility to determine how much he will weigh when he steps into the ring, while speculation is that Margarito will be gaunt and drained from having to squeeze into 150 pounds.

Pacquiao’s trainers have done a great job balancing his intake with his expended energy. Normally, boxers starve themselves to make the weight limit, then put on anywhere from five to 15 pounds in the day between the weigh-in and the fight itself. Pacquiao has not had that problem in a while. It has been one of the biggest reasons why photos of him in training have pictured him playful and generally in a much better mood than his opponents. It also means he can go longer in the gym, or on the road.

Margarito also has a lot to prove. The issue of illegal hand wraps prompted the California State Athletic Commission to vote 5-1 against re-issuing his license. Though Margarito testified that he had no knowledge of the illegality, he also admitted that it was his responsibility because they were his hands. One of the commissioners even criticized Margarito’s new training crew headed by Robert Garcia for their ignorance of the law against sparring with unlicensed boxers.

There are several reasons why people find it difficult to believe that Margarito will make the weight. First, some people believe that Margarito’s age is a common excuse. The older a fighter gets, the harder it is for him keep his weight down, since he naturally packs on muscle and his metabolism slows down, making it more difficult to lose weight. We’ve all seen the weakening effects against tremendous former world champions like Oscar dela Hoya and Miguel Cotto. Secondly, consider the fact that Mike Tyson has always fought as a heavyweight, and he is also 5’11”, the same height as Margarito.

Third, we love the little guy, and so far, Pacquiao has been the greatest giant killer in the ring in a long, long time. Some people recall bouts like Sugar Ray Leonard against Tommy Hearns, where Leonard, just a shade taller than the Pacman, has been devastating against the 6’1” Hearns. Leonard also soundly defeated light heavyweight champion Donnie Lalonde, although admittedly, the latter was a one-armed boxer whose shoulder was technically stapled together.

People forget that, even then, the catchweight of about 166 (well below the 175 limit) made Leonard look powerful by comparison. When Leonard fought Hearns for the 168 title, the catchweight was 162.

Of course, there are questions about the value of a belt when it is the champion who make adjustments. But nowadays, the fighters make the fight, and a title is somewhat considered gravy. Of course, this means more for Pacquiao, because it will technically be his eighth world title. Though some pundits do not recognize his WBO belts, there is no denying the level of competition he has faced, and the risks he has taken.

Granted, there are some new distractions, such as his duties as a congressman. Still, Pacquiao has had a lot of experience in dealing with what goes on outside the ring, and they may actually help in taking his mind off fighting when training gets heavy. That and his mood make training light, and allow him to focus his emotional energy on the business at hand.

Each fighter had beaten Joshua Clottey by decision and Miguel Cotto by late-round knockout. But when you look at Margarito’s record over the last five years, Pacquiao’s definitely looks more impressive. Consider also that the Filipino has not lost since the first Erik Morales fight in 2005, so durability is not a question.

At the end of the day, speed and stamina will win out, and Pacquiao’s conditioning coach Alex Ariza has already said that he wants Pacquiao a couple of pounds below the catchweight. Besides, if Margarito gains too much before fight time, his moves will be glacial compared to Pacquiao’s. Pacquiao has proven that he can take on bigger fighters in catchweight fights, and this should be no exception.

All Pacquiao needs to do is dictate the tempo and keep moving.

Margarito’s main concern will be running out of steam, because he’ll need his energy for a fast-moving target.