Mismatch

photo from here

And so it was, as every expert had predicted, a mismatch. And no, the mismatch was not for the bigger man. All of 20 pounds heavier and 4 1/2 inches longer, the tale of the tape was not enough to sway the expert opinion Margarito's way. And rightly so, for once again Manny Pacquiao proved that he is truly in a class all his own.

It was all over but the shouting as early as the fourth round when Manny drew blood -- a cut on Margarito's face that would eventually grow into an ugly mess before the final bell mercifully ended the one-sided slaughter. If you watch closely the latter rounds, you will find Manny tapping Margarito in the face and no longer really punching the taller/heavier Mexican champion, figuring he had already inflicted enough damage on his totally out-classed foe.

There was simply no way Margarito could have won this fight. He can not even find the elusive Manny inside the ring. By the time Margarito can load up for a super-welterweight power punch, Manny had already punched him three/four times and gone out of range.

And so, the question now is, is there no one else?

Barrera, Morales, Marquez, dela Hoya, Hatton; these are but some of the names that should have been shoo-ins for the boxing hall of fame, that is until they tangled with our champion. Now their once illustrious careers has been reduced into mere clips on Manny's highlight reel. Strange thing though, as I was watching the video highlights of Manny during the introductions, the Oscar dela Hoya clip is now no longer of him cringing helplessly on the ropes. The familiar video has been replaced with dela Hoya (still) helpless in the corner but with his back to the camera. The Golden Boy's influence in play perhaps? Understandable. No one wants the infamy of being the video insert for the phrase "and the agony of the defeat" (in the Gillete World of Sports opening billboard).

So once again, the question, who to fight next? Unless the loudmouth who once claimed he was the pound-for-pound best in the world can find his balls, sadly I am afraid, Manny has no more truly interesting fights left in his career -- and therefore should retire.

Manny, you have vanquished them all! There is no one else.