ARLINGTON, Texas — It remains a matchup the sporting world would love to see: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.
It easily would be the richest prizefight in history, a global spectacle that could turn into legend like Ali-Frazier I, Leonard-Hearns I or Holyfield-Bowe I.
But Pacquiao-Mayweather I may never happen. In fact, Pacquiao doesn’t need Mayweather anymore.
Tonight, the Filipino icon does battle for the second time at Cowboys Stadium when he faces Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC super welterweight championship ($54.95 pay per view). Though the bout won’t generate the economic dollars a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would, Pacquiao will earn up to $25 million and has generated an impressive amount of positive media about the fight, his life, and his new job as a congressman of Sarangani Province in the Philippines.
In short, Pacquiao is “The Man” these days and doesn’t need Mayweather to make money or enhance his legacy. “He’s completely transcended the sport,” HBO PPV boss Mark Taffet said of Pacquiao. “He’s much more of a political and world figure than we’ve had as a superstar in boxing so we’ve gotten to more news outlets than we have for the last 20 years.
A boxer hasn’t gotten this much good press since Evander Holyfield and Oscar De La Hoya were in their charmed heyday. But neither of them was a congressman or talked about as a future presidential candidate.
“I want to help people,” Pacquiao said. “In government, there’s money to help people. I feel what they’re feeling because I’ve been there.”
Pacquiao’s primary work place remains the ring where tonight he will be seeking a world title in a record eighth weight division. Though he’s nearly five inches shorter than the 5-foot-11 Margarito, Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) is a heavy favorite to capture his 13th straight victory. Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) looked gaunt as he weighed in at the 150-pound limit yesterday, while Pacquiao, who won his first title at 112 pounds, was at 144½. Pacquaio’s popularity figures to grow tonight as he is cast against the perfect villain in Margarito. The Tijuana native fights in the States for the first time since being caught with illegal hand wraps before his bout with Shane Mosley in January 2009. He served a one-year suspension, but has since been denied reinstatement in Nevada and California.
Texas gave him a license, but Margarito’s character was questioned again when he was videotaped mocking Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, who has Parkinson’s disease.
Pacquiao could have been fighting Mayweather tonight, but Mayweather wasn’t interested. Instead, Pacquiao will settle for anywhere from $16 to $25 million against a less dangerous opponent and tons of positive publicity. He has been featured on 60 Minutes, and is the cover story for American Way magazine. He appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, sang with Will Ferrell, and donned a business suit to campaign on behalf of political candidates in Nevada. A smitten media can’t get enough of his smile, his charitable endeavors and his passion for his people.
“I don’t want to get a big head,” Pacquiao said. “My dream was just to be a champion. But God gave me this placing to where I can’t believe I’m pound of pound champion and known as a world champion throughout the whole world. I’m so proud and thankful for everything God has given me.”
Willis’ Prediction
I don’t buy all the concern about Pacquiao being distracted during training camp. Margarito is fundamentally flawed and has fought just once in 18 months. He probably had to starve to get down to the 150-pound limit after weighing 154 in his last May. Also, Margarito is yet to prove he can beat a top fighter without the suspicion of having something in his wraps. Pacquiao by TKO 5.
Tale of the Tape
Pacquiao++Margarito
31+Age+32
144 1/2+Weight+150
5-6½+Height+5-11
66½+Reach–73
38+Chest normal+40
41+Chest expanded+42
13+Biceps+14
12+Forearm–11½
28+Waist+32
20+Thigh+18
13+Calf+14½
16+Neck+16
8+Wrist+7½
10+Fist+11
51-3-2+Record+38-6
38+Knockout+27 KOs