Pacquiao’s speed too much for Margarito to overcome

Despite spotting Antonio Margarito 17 pounds when they entered the ring Saturday at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao dominated the fight, winning a 12-round unanimous decision and taking the WBC super welterweight title before a crowd of 41,734.

For Pacquiao, it was a chance to build on his amazing legacy as he won his eighth world title in eight weight classes.

“It’s hard to fight these bigger, taller guys,” Pacquiao said after improving to 52-3-2. “He was big and strong, but I did my best to win the fight. I can’t believe I beat someone that strong and big.”

Pacquiao won going away on the judges’ scorecards. Jurgen Langos scored the fight 120-108, Oren Schellenburger 119-109 and Glen Crocker 118-110.

“We won every round, and I only wish they had stopped the fight,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach. “He took a lot of damage. Margarito has the worst corner. His corner ruined his career by not stopping the fight.”

According to HBO, which telecast the fight on pay per view, Margarito came into the ring outweighing Pacquiao 165 to 148. Pacquiao had weighed in Friday for the catch-weight 150-pound limit at 144.6 pounds.

There was controversy surrounding Margarito before the fight. A member of Pacquiao’s camp noticed in Margarito’s locker room a weight-loss supplement believed to contain Ephedra, which is considered a stimulant and is on the list of banned substances.

Roach demanded that Margarito immediately submit to a blood test but was denied. Both fighters were to be drug tested after the fight.

Before Margarito’s January 2009 fight with Shane Mosley, the Mexican fighter’s hand wraps were found to contain plaster-like inserts inside them before he entered the ring.

There were no such issues Saturday. With Roach watching, Margarito’s hands were prepared by trainer Robert Garcia with no issues.

But Garcia complained about the way Pacquiao’s hands were wrapped but wasn’t specific. Texas officials allowed Pacquiao’s hand wraps to remain intact.

Once in the ring, Pacquiao beat Margarito to the punch more often than not. But with Margarito having a 7-inch reach advantage, it was tough for Pacquiao to get his full power behind his punches early.

In the fourth round, Margarito thought he had Pacquiao in trouble, having cut the ring on him. But Pacquiao deftly escaped, then landed a crisp left to Margarito’s chin. That set up a flurry of punches that had Margarito reeling.

Margarito survived the round but was cut under his right eye. It was more of the same in the fifth, as Pacquiao eluded danger inside and used his speed to tag Margarito time and again.

“The cut was the difference,” Margarito said. “I had trouble after that.”

Pacquiao was in complete control at that point His defense was virtually perfect, as he picked off jabs, hooks and crosses with ease.

Margarito hit Pacquiao in the gut with what appeared to be a borderline low blow late in the sixth round and obviously hurt him. Somehow, Pacquiao managed to remain upright as Margarito pressed the attack.

“Yes, I was hurt, but I didn’t want him to know it,” Pacquiao said. “That’s why I was laying on the ropes, trying to psych him out.”

And while Margarito had his moments, he didn’t have enough of them to slow his smaller opponent. Every time he appeared to hurt Pacquiao, which wasn’t often, the Filipino superstar managed to fight back and answer.

Pacquiao landed several big rights that appeared to have Margarito in trouble and left no doubt who was in control late.

In the 11th, referee Laurence Cole examined Margarito’s face, which was a bloody mess, but allowed the fight to continue.

Garcia said his fighter had no answer for Pacquiao’s speed.

“He’s the fastest fighter of our era,” Garcia said. “No one has speed like that.”

Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913.