Marquez picks Manny over Margarito

MANILA, Philippines—The fighter who came closest to beating Manny Pacquiao since the latter’s loss to Erik Morales is picking the Filipino ring icon over Mexican Antonio Margarito in their showdown for the World Boxing Council super welterweight crown on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez, who held Pacquiao to a controversial draw in their first bout on May 2004 before losing by split decision in March 2008, told Ricardo Lois of Examiner.com Monday that Pacquiao’s “speed will be the difference against Margarito.”

Marquez should know. Pacquiao’s blurring punches put him down thrice in the first round of their first fight and again in the third round of their second fight. Margarito is taller and bigger than Marquez, but fight pundits say he is slower and lesser skilled as a counter-puncher than his more popular compatriot. For Margarito to stop Pacquiao’s bid to add another title to an already unprecedented seven world crowns, Marquez said he should “keep his distance” and exploit his six-inch reach advantage. If he decides to attack, Marquez said Margarito should “fire off combinations of three or more punches.” Future Hall of Famer Morales is the only Mexican to beat Pacquiao, winning by unanimous decision on March 20, 2005.