Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito: The Tale of the Tape and Prediction

While the Dallas Cowboys debate the future of their team, boxing fans are debating the fate of their favorite fighters who will clash under the same roof as "America’s Team" on Nov. 13, 2010.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium will host its second PPV fight since it opened its doors in 2009; coincidentally both bouts have had Manny Pacquiao in its main event.

Like the Pacquiao vs. Clotty bout, Texas boxing fans are expected to converge on the Stadium in large numbers.

One looming question is on the mind of every boxing fan that will attend including those viewing at home; who will raise their hand in victory and who will hang their head in defeat?

To help make that determination we will take a look at their pre-fight measurements and physical statistics known as the "Tale of the Tape."

Looking at two combatants in this way doesn’t tell you the entire story, but it does give you some insight as to who might hold the physical advantage.   

So let’s take a look at the "Tale of the Tape!"

Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito:

This bout is scheduled for 12 rounds for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title. 

MANNY PACQUIAO		ANTONIO MARGARITO
31 years 11 months	Age Fight Night	32 Years 8 Months
5'6 ½"	Height	5'11"
67 ½ inches	Reach	73 inches
38 inches	Chest Normal	40 inches
41 inches	Chest Expanded	42 inches
13 inches	Biceps	14 inches
12 inches	Forearm	11 ½ inches
28 inches	Waist	32 ½ inches
28 inches	Thigh	32 ½ inches
15 inches	Calf	14 ½ inches
16 inches	Neck	16 inches
8 inches	Wrist	7 ½ inches
10 inches	Fist	11 inches
Southpaw	Stance	Orthodox
51-3-2	Record	38-6-0
38	Knockouts	27

On the surface a layman fan can make the assumption, Margarito has all the advantages.

However, a few statistics stand out to me right away.

Height and reach advantage clearly go to Antonio, however, it’s only an advantage if it’s used properly.

Margarito hunches forward behind a high guard and gives away his height, add to that his tendency to brawl on the inside and he loses his reach advantage as well.   

Pacquiao has fought a man with these advantages before, almost exactly.

Oscar De La Hoya has a 73-inch reach and is measured at 5’10 ½" tall.  Oscar’s height and reach advantage was negated due to Pacquiao’s overwhelming speed and movement.

Next we take a look at the leg and arm measurements.

Trainers will debate and the techniques vary on how to create explosive knockout power, but most can agree it’s the transfer of power starting at the base (legs) through the waist, shoulders and arms.

When we look at Margarito’s numbers they seem to be larger than Pacquiao’s in two key categories: bicep and thigh.  However, Antonio is much taller and when you add that into the equation, relatively they aren’t that far apart.

As a matter of fact when you compare Margarito to other junior middleweights, he’s not always the biggest and certainly not so much bigger that it would cause Manny’s camp overwhelming concern.

To make my prediction I took a look at two bouts that both fighters share, Cotto and Clottey.

Both Pacquiao and Margarito stopped Cotto; however, Cotto managed to put on a boxing clinic against Margarito for the first six rounds of their bout.  While Pacquiao beat Cotto in decisive fashion.

Neither Antonio nor Manny could stop Clottey, but Pacquiao won that fight by a large unanimous decision while Clottey seemed to be comfortable enough to exchange with Margarito and take a few rounds on the judges’ cards.

My prediction, Margarito will certainly be a tough nut for Pacquiao to crack but I don’t see the fight going any different than Manny vs. Oscar.

You can’t hit what you can’t touch and I believe Margarito will be reduced to absorbing shots on the outside while he attempts to catch Pacman.

Pacquiao by TKO in 11 rounds.