By Hernan Cortez: Compromise is an ambivalent notion, and for boxing fans it has become an all too familiar aspect of the sport we love. So it should be no surprise that the November 13th bout between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito is viewed as a compromise by many boxing fans. But it is a compromise that has grown more promising with each passing day.
I admit, when I first heard Margarito was being considered as an opponent for Pacquiao I protested with outrage. I scoffed at the idea, I mean, Shane Mosley had already kayoed Margarito, and there was the hand rap controversy. Why should I pay to watch Margarito be rewarded for his dishonesty?
Not to mention I was still disappointed by the first failed Mayweather/Pacquiao negotiations. What I ended up paying for was even more of a disappointment by way of the Pacquiao/Clottey fight. But I moved on, hopeful this was to be the last of my Pacquiao bout compromises. But when the reported second round of Mayweather/ Pacquiao negations fell through, I knew compromise was right around the corner.
So here we are, Margarito/Pacquiao but a few weeks away, and I must admit I have willingly compromised yet again…they got me. I proclaimed loud and proud I would never add to Margarito’s bank account by ordering this Pay-per-view . I purposely ignored the potential of this match up because I felt jaded that a boxer could put a weapon in his gloves, but still be allowed to box.
But time passed, and whispers began to hype a fight I had written off as too much of a compromise. As I scoured the web for my daily boxing updates, I began to hear the hype growing louder, and many new factors began to interest me. First, the rampant reports of Pacquiao’s lack luster training camp sounded alarm bells. It was as I had feared; Pacquiao’s zealous schedule seemed to be getting the better of him. On top of that, the reports coming from Margarito’s camp claimed he was training with a desperate intensity. I remember a few years ago watching De La Hoya smile for cameras while Pacquiao trained for what was to be one of his most important performances. As I watched then and now I said to myself, “how can this guy, who is barley training hope to win the fight?”
Comments are closed.