Margarito's mistakes

Antonio Margarito made a lot of mistakes in facing Manny Pacquiao yesterday. Granted that being the bigger fighter in a catchweight scenario is already a disadvantage, he was also a victim of punching bag and stepping stone for Pacquiao’s eighth title in a different weight class.

First of all, he overtrained. We can blame this on an overeager new training crew trying desperately to play mind games while teaching an old dog new tricks. To begin with, Robert Garcia was already unaware of certain laws such as those in California disallowing unlicensed fighters from sparring. He was also overzealous in his preparations. Margarito did too much physically, and not enough mentally. When he started getting hit, he reverted back to his old, minimalist ways.

Secondly, Margarito being the bigger fighter, he did not press the attack. He could have used his jab to keep Pacquiao at a distance, and had no follow up. In the first few rounds, Pacman easily knifed through his uncoiled left jab, finding the mark with combinations that had both of the Mexican’s eyes swelling. Margarito’s trainers were unable to rectify this mistake, and it cost them dearly. He had all the tools, but he wasn’t using them.

Third, he did not defend himself well. It ws only towards the fourth and fifth rounds that Margarito was closed, playing peekaboo and forcing Pacquiao to find more angles. Most of the time, Pacquiao could afford to head-hunt, because Margarito made it easy for him. Margarito was obviously used to fighting equally slow opponents, and was ill-prepared for a whirlwind like the Filipino champ.

Fourth, he did not make adjustments as warranted. Pacquiao kept dancing around him, he did not cut the ring. Pacquiao threw combinations left and right, he did not close up or counter effectively. When he pinned Pacquiao in the corner in the latter stages of the fight, he wasn’t able to keep him there. Pacquiao’s footwork and speed were just too much, but if Margarito had done some damage, perhaps those advantages could have been cut down.

Fifth, Margarito allowed Pacquiao to dictate the tempo. There are never an occasion where he stopped in the middle of the ring and told Pacquiao to come to him. The referee would have issued both fighters a warning, and it would have been an opportunity to force Pacquiao to change tactics, perhaps stand toe-to-toe even for a while, giving the alleged Mexican Tornado a better target.

In all, Margarito fought the way he always did, with the added disadvantage of lower weight, a new training staff, and a much faster opponent. Pacquiao sized him up early in the fight, then simply starting chopping away. Pacquiao kept out of danger, lobbed his bombs, and even wanted the fifth stopped because he knew Margarito couldn’t hurt him.

Ultimately, Pacquiao proved he is not only the better boxer, was smarter, and also had a better heart.

* * *

Congratulations to the organizers of the 11th Chairman’s Cup at Fairways and Bluewater in Boracay for a well-played, enjoyable event.