Strictly opinion here, but as popular as UFC is and has become, nothing beats the original prize fighting. Boxing was here first, it captured our imaginations first, and it is still relevant, even if the younger audience seems to prefer Dana White’s venture.
↵It’s always fun to see the pre-fight walks the fighters take to the ring, Antonio Margarito singing along to a classic Mexican ranchera and Manny Pacquiao going with… “You’re The Best Around” from “The Karate Kid”? You know, the song playing at the end of the movie when Daniel LaRusso does The Crane?
↵Then we were treated to Nelly. Nelly? I thought his rap career was over. Oh well, good for him performing at gargantuan Cowboys Stadium and the PPV audience.
↵The fight was a clinic by Pac-man. His hands were so fast and he moved around so well, turning Margarito around and making the bigger man come after him. And the announcers were talking about how Pac-Man looked vulnerable for the first time in a while! Maybe, but that hand speed and all those hard shots landed were killers and I cringed a lot.
↵By the 11th round, with Margarito’s eye virtually shut and his face re-arranged, I was hoping for the ref to stop the fight. He didn’t, and Margarito’s corner didn’t thrown in the towel. I can only hope Margarito didn’t suffer major brain damage. Good of Pacquiao to ease up somewhat at the end and let his opponent do what he wanted to, finish the fight.
↵Here’s hoping we all get to see a Floyd Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.