| 04 September 2010
(All photos © Edward Garza/NorthTexasFisticuffs.com)
When Manny Pacquiao battered the human heavy bag that was Joshua Clottey this past spring at Cowboys Stadium, the event was lauded as a huge success for the sport of boxing. After all, it’s hard to front on the results when over 50,000 people crammed into the overtly-ostentatious stadium and the event did north of 700,000 PPV buys. By any calculations, the fight was a success, even if the main event lacked fireworks. With the open embrace the DFW Metroplex gave Pacquiao, there was little doubt that Top Rank and Pacquiao would soon return to North Texas.
Well, the time is now and the “Pacman” will once again make boxing front page news here in the DFW when he takes on former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium on November 13. The fight will air on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Friday afternoon, Pacquiao, Margarito, HBO and Top Rank, along with Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones held an open press conference to formally announce the fight. A huge, vocal, throng of fight fans descended upon the stadium to witness two of the most popular fighters in the game. With Pacquiao’s whirlwind style taking on Margarito’s smothering pressure, the fight has fireworks written all over it.
Notable Info
- The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation was applauded for their decision to license Antonio Margarito given the incident with his loaded hand wraps from 2008. Say what you will about crime and punishment, but the TDLR made the decision based on their own internal review of the situation. Though, it should be noted that the TDLR has a history of marching to the beat of their own drum.
- Pacquiao, who was elected to the Philippine Congress this year, brought his chief of staff with him on his American media tour. Pacquiao, looked the part, and reports coming from the Philippines are that he is dead serious about being a voice in government for his people.
- Margarito, who has taken a serious hit in popularity following the hand wrap incident, was greeted by a deafening chorus of cheers from the Mexican fight fans in attendance. Say what you will, but Margarito still seems to enjoy superstar status by many of his fellow countrymen.
- Pacquiao and Margarito will fight for the WBC super welterweight title. The belt will be unique in that the Top Rank logo will be added to the belt along with a star to represent the Dallas Cowboys.
- Oak Cliff’s Robert Marroquin was introduced to the crowd. The undefeated prospect has rapidly become one of Top Rank’s prized young fighters and he will be featured on the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard.
- Other local fighters in attendance included 2008 US Olympian Luis Yanez, Charles Hatley, former world champion Paulie Ayala, and amateur standout Ray Ximinez Jr who will turn pro later this year.
Et Cetera
Tickets for Pacquiao-Margarito go on sale September 18 and will be priced from $700 - $50…the PPV price tag will be $54.99.
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