Pacquiao Destroys Margarito; Wins Record 10th World Title

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The distinguished gentleman from the Philippines, Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao emerges victorious against the Mexican challenger Antonio "El Tornado de Tijuana" Margarito via a 12-round unanimous decision in their world title fight, November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, USA.

Save for a round or two in the early goings where Margarito showed marks of his former championship brilliance, Pacquiao overwhelmed his opponent through their WBC Junior Middleweight bout. The famed Filipino boxer now holds the distinction of the only fighter holding 10 world titles in 8 different weight classes.

Margarito fought bravely through bloodied and swollen eyes and held his own despite wobbly legs up to the last sound of the bell. During the 12th round Pacquiao can be seen glancing at the referee as if waiting for the official to stop the fight, knowing that his challenger is at that point severely injured.

It was a historic event witnessed by millions all over the world. And it is only fitting that the match was held at what is currently the world's finest sporting venue -- Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium, which was filled to overflowing by boxing fans that night.

It was a dominating performance by Pacquiao but the bravery of Margarito cannot be denied. No doubt, this fight will go down the boxing annals as a certified classic.

Related articles

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito: Round-by-Round Live Analysis (bleacherreport.com)
• You: Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito (sportsviews.com)
• Pacquiao Vs. Margarito Round-By-Round Coverage: Manny Dominates Opening Round (sbnation.com)

Pacquiao Bested Clottey: Keeps Welterweight Title

It wasn't much of an event. Despite the gargantuan hype, the WBO welterweight title match between reigning champ Manny Pacquiao and Ghana's Joshua Clottey was more an exercise in drudgery than anything else. Clottey, the challenger, with a 10-pound advantage and an all-too-haughty demeanor failed to impress and committed quite a number of boxing faux pas. Some commentators even thought the sparring practices from the weeks of preparation for both camps held more action than this weekend's main bout.

Pacquiao brought his usual high-adrenaline game as was expected of the record holding, multi-titled fighter -- the footwork was there, as well as the speed and the menacing blows both to the body and to the head. In fairness to Clottey he took a tough enough stance. However the so-called "Hitter" simply allowed himself to be an overgrown punching bag through all 12 rounds, throwing glancing blows to Pacquiao as a mere afterthought it seemed.

The Philippines' favorite son took home the title once again, this time on an overwhelmingly unanimous decision. A win is a win and kudos to the Pac-man. Nevertheless, this is hardly the way a well-favored fighter should exit the ring. Even as talks of Pacquiao's retirement is nearing fruition, more sooner than later, there is a prevalence of expectation for Manny Pacquiao to go out with a big convincing win. This is something that "The Event" failed to deliver.