Pacquiao's accomplishments has earned him the right to pick and choose his opponents.
With the exception of Mayweather, many fighters will drop everything for a fight against Pacquiao. A fight with the pound for pound king guarantees their highest payday and a win comes with instant recognition.
But with so many other options available, it makes no sense that his team is considering a fight with Margarito. A fight with Margarito can only do harm on Pacquiao's reputation.
Sure a fight with Margarito will be lucrative because of the large Hispanic market, but Pacquiao's popularity has already reached a level that any fight with another top fighter is guaranteed to bring in millions in revenues. As a result, using economic reasons for fighting Margarito is nonsense.
Why do Pacquiao's advisers or handlers keep downgrading his drawing power?
If Pacquiao can sell a fight with Clottey, who has never won a major belt, then a fight with Bradley, Williams or Berto will surely bring more money.
A fight with Margarito can only tarnish Pacquiao's reputation who is now being held to a higher standard as a newly elected Congressman. It doesn't look good, when Pacquiao rewards a cheater who has not shown any remorse or admitted any guilt with a big payday. Also, a fight with Margarito will almost certainly require them to circumvent or ignore the decision of the California State Athletic Commission to suspend Margarito's license to fight. It's not the right move at a time when Filipinos are growing tired of politicians respecting laws or rules only when it's advantageous to them.
Many might be blaming Arum for setting up this fight, but at the end of the day,Pacquiao still has the final say. Hopefully he doesn't listen to his so called 'advisers' and makes the right choice.
But if the fight is finalized, then it should either be at 154 lbs or at 147 lbs. The catchweight of 145 against Cotto was understandable, but now he has already proven that he is a legitimate welterweight.
If Margarito can't make the weight, then there are plenty of fighters from 140 to 147 that will be more than happy to accept a fight with Pacquiao.
If the fighters agree on the fight being at 150 lbs, then so be it. But it shouldn't be a title fight. If it's not held at 154 lbs, then Pacquiao won't get full credit and it will only provide legitimate ammo and excuses for Pacquiao haters. Besides neither fighter has done enough at the division to warrant a chance to fight for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title, which should still belong to Sergio Martinez
I wanted to get the opinions of other boxing analyst and below are what they had to say.
Ronnie Nathanielz, Philboxing.com
"No choice really. Cotto's defeat is too fresh in the minds of people. Margarito is a fighter even minus the padded handwraps and the Mexicans who really respect and adore Manny want to see him fight there, although it's not sure whether Monterrey will be chosen as the site. The bottom line is the money and a Margarito fight will draw. However, its sad that Mayweather didn't want to fight. The fans deserved to see that fight."
David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press
"The whole thing seems artfully crafted to me. Nevada denied Margarito's attempt to regain his license based on his California situation. Now, Top Rank can use the allure and financial attraction of a Pacquiao fight to push Nevada on the same matter. Either Nevada can grant Margarito a license and open the way for him to fight in the U.S. again, or watch those millions go south of the border. One of a boxing commission's core responsibilities is to generate business, so Nevada has to decide whether principle on an issue that occurred outside its jurisdiction is more important.I don't think Top Rank or Arum cares one way or the other about the backlash. And Pacquiao won't face much backlash at all, although by his mere presence, he offers Top Rank a bully pulpit to push the Margarito issue."
David Avila, The Sweet Science
"Well, some fans will be upset but what else can you do if Mayweather is not interested at this time. It's his choice. Antonio Margarito fights for Top Rank and so does Pacquiao. That way Top Rank makes all of the money."
Michael Marley, Examiner.com
"They should sell this as a tribute show, Manny showing his love for the people of the nation that most loves boxing, Mexico. Tie JC Chavez and all the other great Mexican icons. They should take the focus off Margo as he is nobody's hero and nobody's icon. The die is cast but I don't think he is a wise choice of opponent for MP. We shall see."
Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com
"I don't know what to think of Margarito as an opponent for Pacquiao. Not long ago I would have considered him an extremely tough and dangerous opponent. But Pacquiao has grown fully into welterweight, Margarito is too slow to hit him often enough to do him damage, and Pacquiao is as fast and more difficult to time than Shane Mosley, who splattered Margarito last year. So, I think Pacquiao will likely do what Mosley did, and perhaps somewhat sooner. Whether Margarito deserves a big fight is another matter. And don't even get me started on the fact that this would be for a world title ..."
Fans reaction
Ian Kim Imperial,
"Interesting fight but what does Pacquiao gain in fighting a man who doesnt deserve a big pay day?"
Luis Rey Arellano Rodriguez,
"Margarito doesn't deserve that fight. Pacquiao should fight Paul Williams instead. Arum is just thinking of his in-house boxers. What a greed."
Bono Niuson
"150lbs catchweight is not good for Manny fighting Margarito. It will make Margarito comfortable since he is a big welterweight, while Manny is a natural jr welter. Another thing is it will discredit Manny's multi titles if he wins another catchweight. It's like they are giving these belts to him to reach a record 8. Cotto must be Manny's last catchweight......"
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