The upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on November 14 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas is considered by many as the most important and anticipated fight of the year. Despite the comeback fight of former best pound for pound fighter Floyd Mayweather against Juan Manuel Marquez, The Pacquiao/Cotto matchup is what excites most boxing fans, writers and critics. This has the potential to be the fight of the year.
Pacquiao is coming off a demolition job of Britain's Ricky Hatton. Only needing two rounds, Pacquiao proved the boxing world that his win over Oscar dela Hoya is not a fluke in terms of beating a naturally bigger guy by knocking down Hatton in the first round and finally knocking him out cold in the second. We all know Manny was far superior than David Diaz when he first moved up from Super Featherweight to Lightweight. But the way he dominated Diaz solidified Pacquiao's Ring Magazine's ranking as top pound for pound fighter after Mayweather announced his temporary retirement. He then moved up two weight classes (from lightweight to welterweight) to face the now retired Golden Boy of boxing, Oscar dela Hoya. Most experts thought the fight was a circus. How could a guy who used to fight at 106 lbs, face a guy who fought as high as 158 lbs? This question was answered by Manny in 8 rounds, making dela Hoya quit from his stool. Despite Manny's win against Oscar, many still doubt if he can really take on a bigger guy since they believe Oscar was a dead man walking when he fought Manny. Manny faced another bigger guy in Hatton and destroyed him in two rounds. Did the doubtfuls finally give Manny credit for that? No. They are now saying Hatton is overrated and has poor defense. I do think that Manny does not need to prove himself to these people but because of his warrior thinking, he is again pitted to a naturally bigger and stronger guy in Miguel Cotto. I wonder what these doubtfuls would say should Manny beat Cotto convincingly.
On the otherhand, Miguel Cotto has his part in making the Pacquiao/Cotto fight something to watch out for. He was once the most feared welterweight until he suffered a bad beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito. Margarito is suspended in the US for attempting to use illegal wraps in his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley early this year. Many thinks Margarito used this dirty tactic to beat Cotto. That is something we can not take away from people's minds. Maybe a rematch would settle the issue. But the issue right now is whether Cotto was greatly affected by that loss. According to experts, Cotto has lost his usual form, and became too cautious during fights which make his last two victories disappointing. In his last fight, he barely won against Joshua Clottey. Some believe it could have gone either way. But Cotto fought for 9 rounds with a deep cut to his left eyebrow. Also, Clottey is a great champion who has fought and beaten quality opponents so Cotto should be given credit for that.
On November 14th, these two fighters (Pacquiao and Cotto) will meet in the ring not to prove the critics their worth. These are two great warriors who are fighting for their countrymen and for their pride. Manny is not fighting Cotto because of financial problems and definitely Cotto is not fighting Manny because he can not get a rematch with Margarito. I hope you get what I meant.
Pacquiao is coming off a demolition job of Britain's Ricky Hatton. Only needing two rounds, Pacquiao proved the boxing world that his win over Oscar dela Hoya is not a fluke in terms of beating a naturally bigger guy by knocking down Hatton in the first round and finally knocking him out cold in the second. We all know Manny was far superior than David Diaz when he first moved up from Super Featherweight to Lightweight. But the way he dominated Diaz solidified Pacquiao's Ring Magazine's ranking as top pound for pound fighter after Mayweather announced his temporary retirement. He then moved up two weight classes (from lightweight to welterweight) to face the now retired Golden Boy of boxing, Oscar dela Hoya. Most experts thought the fight was a circus. How could a guy who used to fight at 106 lbs, face a guy who fought as high as 158 lbs? This question was answered by Manny in 8 rounds, making dela Hoya quit from his stool. Despite Manny's win against Oscar, many still doubt if he can really take on a bigger guy since they believe Oscar was a dead man walking when he fought Manny. Manny faced another bigger guy in Hatton and destroyed him in two rounds. Did the doubtfuls finally give Manny credit for that? No. They are now saying Hatton is overrated and has poor defense. I do think that Manny does not need to prove himself to these people but because of his warrior thinking, he is again pitted to a naturally bigger and stronger guy in Miguel Cotto. I wonder what these doubtfuls would say should Manny beat Cotto convincingly.
On the otherhand, Miguel Cotto has his part in making the Pacquiao/Cotto fight something to watch out for. He was once the most feared welterweight until he suffered a bad beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito. Margarito is suspended in the US for attempting to use illegal wraps in his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley early this year. Many thinks Margarito used this dirty tactic to beat Cotto. That is something we can not take away from people's minds. Maybe a rematch would settle the issue. But the issue right now is whether Cotto was greatly affected by that loss. According to experts, Cotto has lost his usual form, and became too cautious during fights which make his last two victories disappointing. In his last fight, he barely won against Joshua Clottey. Some believe it could have gone either way. But Cotto fought for 9 rounds with a deep cut to his left eyebrow. Also, Clottey is a great champion who has fought and beaten quality opponents so Cotto should be given credit for that.
On November 14th, these two fighters (Pacquiao and Cotto) will meet in the ring not to prove the critics their worth. These are two great warriors who are fighting for their countrymen and for their pride. Manny is not fighting Cotto because of financial problems and definitely Cotto is not fighting Manny because he can not get a rematch with Margarito. I hope you get what I meant.
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nice article. the reason for them fighting each other is great. also, this fight along with marquez/mayweather may be the ideal setup for the dream match everyone wants to see, Mayweather VS Pacquiao. Manny is the real thing, he is not the same fighter that thought morales/barrera/marquez. Freddie Roach has created a monster.
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