The Team Chimes in with their Pacquiao vs. Margarito Predictions
As we inch closer to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito PPV battle on November 13th, everybody is chiming in with their thoughts on the big bout. We, of course, are no different, and have been covering every angle of the contest, both positive and negative. We also took a few minutes to poll the entire crew of writers to see what their thoughts were on how the fight would actually play out. Check out a full set of Pacquiao vs. Margarito predictions from the entire team of writers at ProBoxing-Fans.com. Who is siding with who, and is anybody picking the big upset win?
Staff Picks: Pacquiao vs. Margarito Predictions
Rich Thomas:
Two things stand out in my mind about Margarito, who was once considered an unstoppable monster who felt no pain. As Shane Mosley showed us, Margarito can be hurt. Pacquiao’s power is of the “speed kills” rather than the heavy or explosive kind, but nonetheless, I have no doubt that Pacman will find, score and shock Margarito. Second, we really don’t know how much of Margarito’s fearsome ability to maul was in his plaster wrappings rather than his fists. My guess it was more the plaster than the man.
I actually see Margarito’s height and reach working against him. He will find it hard to score on the speedy Filipino, and as a guy who likes to come forward, Margarito will actually make it easier for Pacquiao to get inside. Once there, the height and reach difference will leave Margarito with no choice but to clinch. As a result, it will be an ugly fight, but Pacquiao will be the one landing the bulk of the clean shots. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao UD.
Scott Levinson:
(Taken from Scott’s full Pacquiao vs. Margarito Preview & Prediction.)
I suspect the size, grit, and sometimes-animalistic style of Margarito will trouble Pacquiao. If Margarito is capable of duplicating his rabid dog performance against Cotto, this could be a classic, with a possible sequel to follow. I don’t think he can do it… The difference in speed and overall sharpness will be telling, as Pacquiao is able to dictate the starting point of most exchanges. I expect Manny to depend on his improved niftiness and footwork to prevent Margarito from establishing momentum…
There will be some anxious moments for Pacquiao, as Margarito reaches him with some shots. Manny has always answered his gut-checks and he will do the same in this fight. Pacman will grit his teeth and dig in, rattling Margarito with some power shots. An 11th-round knockdown will punctuate his late-rounds dominance, as he cruises to a wide unanimous decision, somewhere in the 117-110 area. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao UD.
Jake Emen:
Just how much of the pre-fight talk about Pacquiao failing to be focused is legitimate, and how much is being sold to us so that we buy the fight? Margarito might be in the best shape of his career, but he’s never had to deal with the darting speed, or the variety and skill of an offensive attack, such as Pacquiao’s.
In and out, right jab and straight left, in and out, over and over again is the pattern I expect to see. If Margarito can find a way to smother Pacquiao from the early going, he could make the fight interesting, but ultimately, I see Pacquiao as simply being far too good. Completely focused or not, Pacquiao won’t let his pound for pound status be derailed against the Tijuana Tornado. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao UD.
Justin Landis:
This fight will be an interesting clash in styles and sizes with the small, quick and powerful Manny Pacquiao taking on the larger, more aggressive slugger, Antonio Margarito. It seems as though Margarito has the tools and physical attributes to give Manny Pacquiao a challenge, especially if he fights anything like he did against Miguel Cotto.
However, the loaded gloves controversy and the one-sided loss to Shane Mosley have certainly put a damper in his momentum. Expect Margarito to maintain his usual aggression, but the unique angles, quick footwork and lightning fast power of Pacquiao will find holes in this attacking style and earn himself a hard-fought 11th round TKO. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao TKO 11.
John Evans:
This is an interesting fight with a lot of questions surrounding it. Does Pacquiao still have the same hunger now he is combining fighting with his political career? Will Margarito prove to be just too big for him? Was Margaritos previous success purely down to talent or did he have a bit of help wrapped around his fists? Is Margarito fast enough to cope with Pacquiao’s combination of speed and power?
I think this will be the fight people expected to see when Pacquiao fought Cotto. Margarito will attempt to use his advantages in size and strength to wear down Pacquiao and if he can slow Pacman down enough and begin to maul the smaller man, his excellent uppercut could cause the Filipino big problems. Pacquiao will look to fire in his awkward straight left hand and close the distance, enabling him to attack with his trademark lightening fast, powerful combinations. I see this being Pacquiao’s toughest fight but expect him to emerge with a close but clear points victory after 12 hard rounds. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao UD.
Brandon Taylor:
I expect Margarito to have a solid performance. Anything he does will be better than Josh Clottey. Pacquiao is going to win most of the rounds easily because the speed difference is too much. Margarito may land some solid body shots, but it won’t be enough to affect Pacquiao. Pacquiao will go for the knockout, but I don’t see it happening. Pacquiao wins an easy Unanimous decision, 117-111. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao UD
Alfie Wilkinson:
As Freddie Roach often tells us, “speed kills,” and in this instance Manny Pacquiao’s world renowned trainer is bang on. Speed will ultimately be the deciding factor and lead to a Pacquiao victory – although I do envisage Antonio Margarito giving the Filipino a bit of trouble.
Margarito will look to close down and rock ‘Pac-Man’ early-on, however in doing so, may leave himself dangerously open, and it is how he handles these situations which will determine the fight. One thing you can say about the enigma that is Antonio Margarito, is that he can take a punch. He can absorb punishment better than most but has never faced an opponent with quite the same level of intensity and savage speed as Pacquiao.
‘Pac-Man’ won’t have it all his own way and will need to be disciplined, show a strong guard, and equally strong chin, in order to get in range. He may even hit the canvas, but altogether with his rapid movement and the angles in which he unleashes his punches, will eventually wear down the Mexican. In a physically draining bout, I’m predicting Pacquiao to win via late stoppage. Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao TKO
Dana Miller:
This is going to be an action packed fight from start to finish because Margarito’s boxing style is to come straightforward and try to impose his will on his opponents, while the Pac Man is always looking to be the aggressor in a fight. Although the Pac Man is juggling politics and boxing at the moment, which could cost him the fight if he is not focused enough come November 13, I just feel that Margarito’s boxing style is tailor-made for Pacquiao. I expect Manny to catch Margarito when he comes inside the whole fight with that signature straight left hand that Manny uses so well. Margarito will get his shots in on as well, but he just leaves himself open to take too much unnecessary punishment.
During HBO’s boxing show, “Faceoff with Max Kellerman,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said that Manny is going to knock out Margarito inside of eight rounds. I agree with Freddie Roach. Because of the two aggressive offensive boxing styles of Pacquiao and Margarito, this fight will not go the distance. I expect for one of these fighters to get knocked out, and if I had to pick a fighter in this fight, I expect Manny to explode on Margarito early during the second half of the fight and knock him out.
Pacquiao vs. Margarito Prediction: Pacquiao by 7 round knockout
The final tally for the Pacquiao vs. Margarito predictions and picks from the staff is: 5 for a Pacquiao win by unanimous decision, 3 for a Pacquiao win by TKO or KO, and zero for the Margarito upset special. Clearly not a lot of faith in the upset getting done, and it looks like Pacquiao will be ending the evening with a title in a staggering 8th weight division. But anything can happen in the sport of boxing, particularly when people are positive that it won’t.
Thanks for checking out the Pacquiao vs. Margarito Predictions from the entire ProBoxing-Fans.com team. Come fight night, don’t forget to check out our live blog and round by round coverage of the Pacquiao vs. Margarito results!
