Manny Pacquiao Faces Big Challenge From Antonio Margarito

The greatest pound-for-pound Boxer in the world is facing a size disadvantage this weekend. Can Manny Pacquiao overcome a much bigger Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium?

Size matters but speed kills
Pac-Man could be as much as 10lbs lighter than Antonio Margarito when they square off on Saturday night for the WBC Junior Middleweight title. Margarito’s added mass will give him a significant power advantage when he steps into the ring against Manny Pacquiao in Cowboys Stadium. For all his punching power, Margarito will have a lot of trouble overcoming the Filipino’s speed. That promises to be a huge advantage for Pacquiao both offensively and defensively. The Filipino will essentially be able to engage with Margarito on his terms and should have little difficulty avoid most of the bigger man’s counters.

Floyd Mayweather’s legal troubles make this effectively the biggest fight available to Pac-Man for the foreseeable future. That means he will look to win decisively. Boxing betting fans will be wary of betting on a straight stoppage however after Joshua Clottey went the distance last time out. Instead I like the over of 9.5 rounds at +110 with Sports Interaction. I’d pair that up with taking a stoppage win for Pac-Man at -250 in a parlay. Pacquiao may not have the power of most fighters at this level but Margarito looks to have over-trained in a misguided effort to compensate for the Filipino’s speed. That’s the perfect recipe for a late stoppage, with Margarito running out of gas in the 10th or 11th round.

XLVIII: Gabriel Morency previews Pacquiao vs Margarito

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnZssdrsZZ8[/youtube]

Don’t discount FrAudley’s power
In other Boxing action, David Haye puts the WBA Heavyweight title on the line against Audley Harrison. This Battle of Britain sees former Olympic Champion Harrison go into the fight as a big underdog despite holding a significant size disadvantage. After flattering to deceive since winning gold in 2000, Harrison finally rid himself of the mocking FrAudley and A-Farce nicknames with a stunning upset of Michael Sprott to claim the European title earlier this year.

That powerful left could prove a potent weapon against the Haye-maker. Haye, for his part, will look to use his significant speed advantage wear down Harrison. The question is whether Haye has the power to finish his fellow countryman. While his knockout of John Ruiz was impressive, Haye remains unconvincing as a puncher at this weight. His Boxing skills are unquestionable but as a natural cruiserweight, he is dogged by doubts over his power. I like Haye to dominate the early rounds, weathering a few brief barrages from Harrison along the way, before forcing a TKO late. Bet on David Haye to win in over 9.5 rounds at +160 with Sports Interaction.