LAS VEGAS – Pound-4-pound king Manny Pacquiao cemented his place in boxing history.
The 30-year-old Filipino became the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions by defeating the Puerto Rican WBO Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto by a brutal technical knockout in the 12th round of their match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last November 14.
“I will go on record,” said Top Rank President and Pacquiao’s promoter. “Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter I have ever seen that includes Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Haggler. The best fighter I have ever seen.”
“If I think of what I have achieved in boxing even myself it’s unbelievable,” said Pacquiao. “Nothing is impossible if you believe in God. If you believe in God and keep praying, you can do it.”
Pacquiao, who won his sixth title when he moved up in weight and snatched the IBO light welterweight title from Ricky Hatton, is now the first boxer to ever win seven world titles in as many weight classes.
Only Oscar De La Hoya, whom Pacquiao defeated last December 2008, has won six world titles in six different weight divisions.
Pacquiao has now won titles in these divisions: 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140, and 147-pounds.
Dominating Performance
It was hard to figure out who the bigger man was in this match.
Fighting in the welterweight division for only the second time in his career, Pacquiao dominated the bigger Cotto throughout the fight.
The fight started slowly with both fighters sizing each other up but the action picked up soon there after.
In the third round, Pacquiao floored Cotto when he landed a counter right hook flush to the Puerto Rican’s jaw.
In round four, Pacquiao knocked down Cotto again for the second time with 20 seconds left, this time with a left uppercut. Pacquiao tried to finish off his wounded opponent but the bell saved Cotto.
“Our plan and strategy for the fight was not to hurry,” said Pacquiao. “We knew he was going to counter. We were very careful because we didn’t know what [would] happen.”
Pacquiao’s meticulous approach showed throughout the bout.
By the seventh round, the Cotto chants all but faded away to mere whispers. Cotto began to backpedal in the latter rounds to avoid further damage from Pacquiao.
In the eighth round, Pacquiao’s pounding of Cotto showed. By the end of the round, Cotto’s face was swollen and a cut was opening up right under his left eye.
It appeared Referee Kenny Bayless was looking to stop the fight sooner to prevent further damage to Cotto but the Puerto Rican managed to back pedal and dodge Pacquiao’s punches in the next consecutive rounds.
Bayless had seen enough in the 12th round. Pacquiao cornered Cotto and landed a flurry of punches that ended with a lethal right cross that landed flush on the Puerto Rican’s chin.
Pacquiao, wrapped in championship title belts, was raised high up in the air by his team and waved the Philippine flag.
“I’m pretty sure all of the Filipino fans are going to scream today,” he said. “They are very happy with the victory. I would like to thank all the Filipinos who came here especially those who came from the Philippines.”
Cotto said Pacquiao was just too fast for him.
“I didn’t see where the punches were coming from and I didn’t protect myself,” he said.
“I fought everybody,” he added. “Manny is one of the best boxers of all time.”
After the bout, Cotto was sent to the University Medical Center hospital for a precautionary full body scans.
“He’s okay,” said Ricardo Jimenez of Top Rank who spoke on behalf of Cotto. “He felt great, he’s cut and he’s swollen, he knows he was in a fight and said that’s how he’s supposed to look. He wants everyone to know he did his best. He fought the best fighter he ever fought. He’s going to take some time off and think about his future. He hopes the fans enjoyed a great fight.”
Roach said Pacquiao had another great night.
“Manny Pacquiao is unbelievable,” said the trainer who has guided Pacquiao since 2001. “The first couple rounds, I was yelling at him because he didn’t follow the game plan. Once he figured out Cotto, he made it look easy after that. We just want to enjoy this moment.”
Who’s Next?
The most logical choice to face Pacquiao would be former Pound-4-pound king and No. 2 man on the Pound-4-pound list, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
There are concerns from members of Team Pacquiao including Roach and Arum that Mayweather Jr. might price himself out of that fight.
“If he’s thinking he’s getting a 65-35 split, he’s joking,” said Roach.
Arum said Pacquiao is open to fight anybody but knows the fight everyone wants to see is Pacquiao vs. Mayweather.
“I’m not going to put up with any nonsense,” he said. “I’m not going to negotiate a fight in the newspaper. If Floyd Mayweather wants to fight Manny Pacquiao he knows whom to call. Period.”
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
