Antonio Margarito Picks Manny Pacquiao Over Floyd Mayweather
Antonio Margarito says he would side with Manny Pacquiao if floyd mayweather gets into the ring with him again later this year. The former world champion tied that pick to what he said has always been his view of the matchup: Pacquiao is the better fighter.
Antonio Margarito’s Pick
“Honestly, I’ll tell you something: if they fight again, I’m with Pacquiao,” Margarito said. He added, “Not because I fought him, or because he’s my friend, or because I know him. No, [it’s] because I think Pacquiao is better than Mayweather. That’s what I’ve always believed. If they face each other again, I’d say Pacquiao wins.”
The prediction lands while Pacquiao and Mayweather have been linked to a rematch on September 25 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Netflix was reportedly set to distribute the event, and the contest was being discussed as a fully sanctioned bout, but no official announcement had been made about it.
Pacquiao And Mayweather History
There is a reason the matchup still draws attention. Pacquiao and Mayweather first met in May 2015, and Mayweather won by unanimous decision. A second fight would put Mayweather’s 50-0 record on the line, while Pacquiao would bring in a recent draw with Mario Barrios from last July.
Margarito’s view is also shaped by his own history with Pacquiao. In November 2010, he lost a unanimous decision to Pacquiao in their fight for the WBC junior middleweight title, and that loss sits in the background of his latest pick without changing the force of it.
Mayweather’s Layoff
Mayweather has not competed professionally since stopping Conor McGregor in the 10th round of their 2017 crossover event. That gap, paired with the first fight’s unanimous decision result and Pacquiao’s draw last July, keeps any rematch discussion centered on whether the older version of each fighter would still produce the same outcome.
For now, Margarito has already put his position on the record. If the rematch moves forward, he sees Pacquiao walking away with the win.
