Ring Tones

Martinez emerges as a formidable 2011 option for Pacquiao

With legal issues and Floyd Mayweather's own reluctance jeapordizing the chances of a Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao-fight ever happening, Congressman "Pac-Man"may be looking for credible opponents in 2011.

He found one Saturday night.

Argentina's Sergio Martinez, 46-2-2 (25 knockouts), re-certified his status as the best middleweight in the world and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing with a shocking, second-round, one-punch knockout of Paul Williams in Atlantic City.

Having engaged in the "Fight of the Year" with Williams last year, and followed by a comprehensive domination of Kelly Pavlik in April, "Maravilla" was already riding high. But the Williams destruction put Martinez in another competitive and money-making stratosphere.

Going in, the Martinez-Williams rematch was a pick'em affair, as Williams was also considered a pound-for-pound guy.That Martinez destroyed him so impressively may just put him in the Pacquiao sweepstakes.

You say Martinez is too big? Well, as recently as Valentine's Day 2009, the Argentine fought at junior middleweight - a weight class that Pacquiao now rules. Martinez was 153 1/4, when he drew with Kermit Cintron (a total ripoff, by the way).

Also, one of Martinez's two losses is a 2000 knockout to Antonio Margarito - who was beaten by Pacquiao last weekend.

Pacquiao reportedly did acknowledge Martinez as an opponent Sunday to ABS-CBN News, saying that, if the fight happened, it would take place under 150 pounds.

You have the feeling, given the potential multi-million dollar purse that would come his way, Martinez would agree to that.

Beyond Mayweather and Martinez, Pacquiao's options are limited. There's a possible third match with Juan Manuel Marquez, but it may be that Pacquiao has gotten too big for "Dinamita." All of the other names - Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Andre Berto - are unappealing.

As of Saturday night, Martinez may have emerged as the most formidable opponent of the bunch.

 

 

 

Pacquiao pummels Margarito, wins unanimous decision for eighth world title

Manny Pacquiao won a record eighth world championship Saturday, winning a unanimous 12-round decision over Antonio Margarito before 41,734 fans at Cowboys Stadium.

Though Margarito was more competitive than recent opponents Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, he also absorbed a nasty beating. Pacquiao landed on the slower Margarito at will, connecting with four and five punch combinations throughout the fight.

By the 10th round, you had to wonder why Margarito trainer Robert Garcia wasn't stopping the fight. 

Pacquiao landed 58 percent of his power punches - 411 shots - compared to 43 percent for Margarito - 135 blows. 

Round 3

Margarito is taking punishment now, as Pacquiao hammers him with hard combinations. Pacquiao lands an uppercut and a fierce left hand. Margarito lands a right that makes Pacquiao pound his gloves together, but its few and far between for the Tornado.

Pacquiao 10-9

Round 2

Margarito starts to establish the jab and rocks Pacquiao with a body shot. Pacquiao continues to land his fast combinations, but it is much more competitive. Margarito is jabbing in and landing shots. 

Pacquiao 10-9

Round 1

Pacquiao immediately establishes his dominance in speed, popping Margarito with the jab and landing strong combinations. Margarito swings and misses mostly. Pacquiao 10-9.

Undefeated Jones wins unpopular decision over Soto-Karass on Pacquiao-Margarito undercard

Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones won an unpopular majority 12-round decision over Mexico's Jesus Soto-Karass Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito card.

Official scores were 95-94 and 97-93 for Jones, and 94-94 even.

The crowd booed lustily, as it appeared Soto-Karass, 24-5-1-3-1, (16 knockouts), dominated Jones, 23-0 (18 KO's) after the second round. Throughout the fight he was the aggressor and the dominant fighter.

It was a bad end to what had been a good fight.

The second round was a barnburner, as Jones trapped Soto-Karass on the ropes and unloaded - conjuring memories of Yaqui Lopez's attack on Matthew Saad Muhammad in 1980. Somehow Soto-Karass stayed up and weathered the storm, only to come bak and hurt an exhausted Jones by round's end.

The brutal second round exchange was one of the best of the year and lasted a good 30 seconds. Round two is a candidate for "Round of the Year."

It may also be the worst decision of the year.

Pre-fight controversy: Pacquiao trainer Roach alleges Margarito took ephedra

Where there's controversy, there's Antonio Margarito.

Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach is alleging Margarito consumed a drink with the banned substance ephedra, while Margarito trainer Robert Garcia is alleging Roach illegally wrapped Pacquiao's hands.

There is reported HBO video of Margarito drinking a substance with a powder in it.

The Texas Commission reportedly rejected Roach's request for a pre-fight drug test for Margarito.

Stay tuned.

Fight day weights: Pacquiao 148; Margarito 165

A day after Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito officially weighed in Friday, they rehydrated Saturday - and, to no one's surprise - the Mexican will carry a significant weight advantage into the ring.

Margarito weighed a giant 165 pounds Saturday - gaining 15 pounds in a day, while Pacquiao weighed 148, gaining just four pounds from his 144.

 

Rigondeaux wins boring decision on Pacquiao-Margarito card

In one of the worst fights in recent memory, undefeated Guillermo Rigondeaux of Miami won a dreadful 12-round split decision over Ricardo Cordoba of Panama on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight at Cowboys Stadium.

The fight was for something called the WBA Interim World Junior Featherweight title. Whatever. After this one, half of Dallas was asleep.

Rigondeaux improved to 7-0 (5 knockouts), while Cordoba fell to 37-3-2 (23 KO's). The only action of the night was a body shot by Rigondeaux that put Cordoba down in round four.

Unfortunately, Cordoba got up.

 

Pacquiao, Margarito fans are loud in their support

The fans of Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito dueled before their fighters Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.

The Cowboys giant screen showed Margarito arriving at 7:05 p.m. Central time looking confident and ready, and the Margarito supporters - waving Mexican flags - erupted.

But right when you thought it couldn't get any louder - Pacquiao was shown arriving at 8:11 p.m. - also with a smile on his face.

The Pacquiao contingent - waving Filipino flags - exploded, and Cowboys stadium rocked.

Then they all joined forces to do "The Wave."