By Rasheed Catapang: Once the mild mannered Clark Kent takes off his coat, we know the kid gloves are off. Saturday night in Dallas, we learned what feats of destruction such fists are capable of. No, Pacquiao is not Superman. But on the night he handed Margarito his comeuppance, he was closed enough. Was he faster than a speeding bullet? Maybe not. But against Margarito’s movement, he surely was bullet-like. The lumbering giant was being peppered with 6 to 7 hits combo before he could even contemplate mounting an attack – couple that with the fact that he could not hit what he could not see, Pacquiao being in perpetual motion and all. And when Margarito found the luck to actually launch one, he was met with a barrage of missiles whichever way he turns.

Respect is earned. And if Margarito was disrespectful of Pacquiao’s power before the fight, like the others before him he surely respects that now. He’s tasted it and got a bloody mess of a face to show for it.

Margarito found out how it was to be an all time great. And it wasn’t great at all for him to be at the opposite end with such a man. There is not a shadow of doubt now that Pacquiao stands tall along the All-Time- Greats, the only question is whether he is now “The Greatest”.

Overcoming an opponent’s advantages amounting to 17 pounds of weight, 5 inches of reach and 5 inches in height are the stuff of legend. And Pacquiao is just that – a living legend – because he didn’t merely overcome the odds, didn’t merely win, but did it in such a comprehensive way like no other boxer can.

This is Pacquiao’s time. And he rules boxing with an iron fist masked with a boyish grin. He is the real face of boxing, and at the moment its one and only.

Mayweather could dispute that though, perceived to be at or near the same level as Pacquiao. And he’s more than welcome to try. Though after his witnessing of the thorough beatings handed over to Margarito and the past challengers to the throne, I wouldn’t really blame Mayweather if he foregoes such plans. Twice he’d thrown a wrench to that fight being made, and he’s got the most valid reason now not to – Margarito’s bludgeoned face for the entire world to see.

But let’s hope Mayweather is really up to the task this time, and that he clears all his personal problems to make way for a spring fight. After all, a Lex Luthor is needed to test boxing’s Superman.