Pacquaio's Destruction Of Margarito Or Mayweather's Embarassment Of Gatti?

 When Bob Arum announced that Manny Pacquaio was facing Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight championship I was utterly disgusted. I anticipated Floyd Mayweather Jr. being Manny's next opponent, so to hear the fight was off was dissappointing. I also felt Arum was spoon feeding another title to his cash cow. I vowed not to support the fight, but I just couldn't stay away.

With any great movie the more you follow the plot the more intriguing the story becomes. Freddie Roach used every opportunity to express his discontentment with his fighter's preparation. I eventually bought the Manny wasn't focus story and it seemed he was taking Margarito lightly. Hook line and sinker the perfect sub plot; something that would made me imagine Antonio having a fighting chance. Brilliant, I tell you brilliant, despite my instincts telling me the obvious ending, I insisted on watching the entire movie.

Back in 2005 Floyd Mayweather was the mandatory contender for Arturo Gatti's Junior Welterweight title. Similar to the Manny's last match-up Floyd Jr. was the heavy favorite. "Guts and Heart versus Talent and Arrogance", read a headline describing the different characters in Gatti and Mayweather. Although Floyd was the heavy favorite Gatti was the people's champ.One man was the heroic undergo and the other the evil villain.

Pacquaio versus Margarito and Floyd versus Gatti were lopsided fights. Both were fighting bigger guys who were known for toughness. From the opening bell both winners took command and never relinquished it. Also a similar outcome Floyd and Manny left their opponents battered, humiliated, humbled, and swollen. Let's compare each of these fights and see which fighter had the most impressive performance.

Manny obviously landed more power punches in his lopsided victory, but Floyd Mayweather Jr. landing at a higher percentage rate. According to punch stats Margarito seemed to have more success at landing punches on Manny than Gatti on Floyd.  Arturo Gatti landed 41 total punches on Floyd Mayweather and only 10 of them were power shots. Manny Pacquaio was hit by 135 power shots and a total of 229 punches.

Although both fighters convincingly defeated their opponents Floyd Mayweather Jr was able to stop Gatti in the 6^th round.  In my opinion his performance was more dominating because he rarely got hit and never seemed to be hurt. Pacquaio suffered from bruised ribs and failed to get the stoppage in his clash with Margarito. The goal in the sport of boxing is to hit without being hit and according to compu box numbers Floyd Mayweather Jr was more successful in those regards.