ARLINGTON, TEXAS ( MindaNews/14 November ) – Without any hesitation, the eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao admitted Antonio Margarito was the toughest opponent he has ever fought.
“He’s very tough, I was having difficulty in defeating him, Pacquiao said during a press conference an hour after the WBC super welterweight title fight here at the Dallas Cowboys stadium.
Winning convincingly via a unanimous decision, Pacman threw 713 power punches as against Margarito’s 312.
The punches caused the Mexican’s right eye to almost close due to swelling as well as sustain a large bloody cut while badly bruising the other eye.
Pacquiao, who is also congressman of Sarangani province, said he didn’t expect Margarito to be that strong. ” I really felt his strength,” he said, though acknowledging he motioned the referee to look into Margarito’s swelling eye twice during the last two rounds because he was concerned the Mexican boxer might sustain serious injuries.
He also admitted he was hurt by the Tijuana tornado, both in the body and head, particularly on round six where he tried to open up a bit so he can set him up for a knockout.
“I didn’t expect him to be that strong, ” Pacquiao said. He was really aiming for a knockout, but had to credit Margarito’s strong heart in staying on his feet despite the flurry of punches that landed on the Mexican’s body and face.
The Filipino boxer himself sustained bruises in his face as Margarito fought back with his own combination of punches unto Pacman’s body and face.
He thanked the estimated 41,000 crowd for their support of the boxing sport. Top Rank’s Bob Arum disclosed HBO’s pay per view buys were the highest so far. (Merpu Roa/MindaNews)