Pacquiao Wants Cotto’s WBO Title to Be On the Line For the Fight

Manny Pacquiao is hoping that Miguel Cotto’s WBO welterweight title will be on the line for their November 14th bout at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. For Pacquiao and his legion of loyal boxing fans, the title is important because it will somehow give Pacquiao more validity as a great fighter because it will – if Pacquiao wins – be his 7th world title victory. Cotto, however, doesn’t want to have to pay the sanctioning fees to, which is what he’d have to do if his title was going to be on the line.

The sanctioning fees would be in the neighborhood of $300,000, so it’s hard to blame Cotto for not wanting to dish out that kind of money for this fight. Additionally, the fight is being held at a 145 pound catch weight instead of the normal 147 pound limit for a welterweight bout, meaning that Cotto might be weaker than he normally is for a fight because of the extra water weight he’ll have to take off to get down to 145.

It seems logical that he wouldn’t want to have to put his title on the line if he’s being forced to strip off weight that’s below the normal welterweight limit. The World Boxing Organization president Franciso Valcarcel is fine with the title being on the line for the 145 pound catch weight.

However, that doesn’t solve the problem of the sanction fees. Cotto doesn’t want to fork over that kind of money, whereas Pacquiao has no problems with paying it. His, though, will be a reduced amount of only $150,000. Pacquiao is the one that wants the title. Hence he sees no problems with paying the sanction fees for it to be on the line.

But, unless Cotto or his promoter Bob Arum springs for the bigger sum, Pacquiao will have to be satisfied with just fighting Cotto without the title. It’s hard to say what the hang up is about the title being on the line, because you really can’t call it a title fight if the bout is being held at a lesser weight.

The WBO president seems to be taking an odd look at this. If Pacquiao wants to fight for the title, then he should agree to take the fight at 147 and not push for a lower weight and still want the title on the line. That’s a bit unfair and I can’t blame Cotto one bit for not wanting to pay the sanctioning fees. Let Pacquiao come up to the normal weight, and then they can talk about sanctioning fees.

Hopefully, Arum doesn’t try to push Cotto into making this a title fight. It seems unfair to the Puerto Rican star to have his title on the line if it’s not going to be at the full weight. It just seems wrong. The belt wouldn’t change anything whether Pacquiao won the title or not.

It isn’t as if the public really cares whether Pacquiao has won one title or ten. Their main focus is that he’s fought good opponents and not the weaker, weight drained variety. This is why Pacquiao blew it in the first place when negotiating for the fight.

He should have agreed to fight Cotto at the full 147 welterweight limit if he wanted the title to be on the line. You can’t make a champion agree to come in at a lower weight, a move that benefits Pacquiao, in an effort to fight for their title. That’s really a joke as far as I’m concerned and makes it seem as if Cotto is being set up to fail.

Pacquiao Wants Cotto’s WBO Title to Be On the Line For the Fight

Pacquiao doesn't need Cotto or his belt

Pacquiao doesn't need Cotto or his belt

Truth be told Manny Pacquiao does not need Miguel Cotto, nor his belt. Just based on both fighters' recent history, it should be Cotto crawling on all fours wanting to fight Pacquiao to revive his slumping career.

I don't know whether Cotto is posturing or is simply stubborn when he said he wouldn't put up his WBO welterweight belt against Pacquiao even if he had to vacate it. Fighting words from the gallant Puerto Rican, but why would Pacquiao care?

If that's the case then Cotto isn't really interested in the biggest payday and break of his career after all. If I was a Team Pacquiao adviser, I'd simply tell Manny to walk and explore his many other options.

Mosley is willing and waiting in the wings and would even go down to 140 and take 40% of the pot just to dance with Manny. Of course there's still the option of paying Marquez step-aside money as Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself suggested and get right down to business with "Money May". Or he can stay in his division and fight the winner of Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell next week at the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Call me T.I. because fact of the matter is Manny, "you can have whatever you like". Such are the rewards of being the best and most popular boxer in the planet. When Cotto actually locates his heart after Antonio Margarito beat the crap out of him and fighting the last four rounds of his controversial win against Joshua Clottey on skates, then he can start acting like a diva.

Really? He will vacate his title just so Pacquiao wouldn't be able to get a shot at it? That's simply disrespectful in my book. You wouldn't even give a much smaller person a shot at a belt he very well deserves if he beats you just because of two almost meaningless pounds? Even when it means you are to get the biggest payday of your career? Really?

Pacquiao did not invent title fights at a catch weight, in fact great boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard have done it before him in the past. The welterweight limit is from 141-147 pounds, the 147 is just the maximum weight they can come in at the weigh-ins. Realistically, Pacquiao is really that small compared to Cotto so the two pounds only makes it sensible. Just a year ago, even Bob Arum himself said imagining Pacquiao in the ring with Cotto was ludicrous and he simply could not see it happening. That was then, this is now. And now all of a sudden it's ridiculous for Pacquiao to ask for a title-fight for asking Cotto to come down 2 pounds?

Let's put things in proper perspective. Pacquiao does not need Cotto right now. Actually, Cotto is fortunate that he is getting all this attention and publicity after his ho-hum victories and devastating loss to Margarito. A lot of people even consider him damaged goods and actually lost to Clottey. That's not to say I agree with that, I personally feel Cotto is still one of the toughest fights for Pacquiao out there but it doesn't mean it's the best fight for him necessarily especially if it would be a beltless fight and if Cotto would go out of his way just to not make it a title-fight. Pacquiao can fight Mosley who is a better sell for American veiwers and Pay-Per-View buyers anyway. You also finally get to see Pacquiao fight an African-American boxer, one of the best at that, as some people have been clamoring for. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but Pacquiao got options... Pacquiao got options....Pac-paca-pac-pa-pac-pac got chiki-chiki op-tions... Pacquiao got op-o-o-options. Broken record, scratch, scribble, dice and transform it, whatever it takes to send the message. Got it? Good. (By the way shout out to my boy DJ QBert, one of the best skratch DJs to have ever lived)

Perhaps somebody whispered something behind Cotto's ear for him to be confident of whatever happens at the moment. It's almost as if he is willing to just finish up his contract with Top Rank against whoever and jump ship to Golden Boy where promised greener pastures await. It makes sense. De la Hoya could have very well guaranteed Cotto a shot at Mayweather or a rematch with Mosley with some serious dough in tow. Nobody really believes that all Cotto and De la Hoya did was a round of golf a couple of weeks ago.

That's besides the point however. Last time I checked, Pacquiao hasn't signed any papers to fight Cotto yet. Cotto is a good opponent but there are better options for Pacquiao out there if Cotto insists on playing hard-to-get. He can go for Mosley's belts at 143 if he wants to rather than negotiate with a fighter people consider as "damaged goods".

Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao questions, no answers, no title....no fight

After all the punch and grab over whether or not this fight would actually happen, finally a deal was struck and the announcement was made. Bob Arum stated that the fight was agreed upon by both parties and that November 14th would be the defining moment in the careers of two of the sports most prominent warriors.

After all the celebration for the official announcement, there seems to be a few key issues that stand in the way, and some close to the situation have began to wonder whether or not we actually have a fight.

It's hard to believe that we don't until you stumble across one major detail......Neither signature has touched the contracts yet!

When Bob Arum was quoted last week as saying that "it should be done this week or early next", I knew there was more to the mix than what we were being told. It's one thing to have a verbal agreement over the phone from thousands of miles away (Cotto in Puerto Rico and Pacquiao in the Philippines) but it's another story when guys get to see things face to face and learn that some of the details were not completely addressed.

Seems there wasn't a complete understanding for whether or not the title would be on the line, and apparently, all the issues surrounding the economics have yet to be hashed out as well.

Arum was recently quoted as saying that sanctioning fees could tally up to $400K, however, research has revealed that $340K is the magic number, with both fighters forking over $150K a piece, and Arum contributing $40K as the promoter.

Many have jumped on Cotto's back for failing to pay his portion of the sanctioning fees, but few have stopped to notice that Pacquiao has yet to pay his either, and there is no clear indication that he will. Sounds odd in theory, but the only reason I would think he has failed to do so is because other aspects of the contract have yet to be resolved, as we know that he's more than game to carry out his end of the bargain.

The next few days will be very pivotal, but I guess Major League Baseball's World series being in October was a good thing. That's the reason Arum wanted to push the fight back to November as opposed to Pacquiao's October 17th request. Looks like now that extra month will be spent entirely on re-negotiating a fight that we were told was already complete.

Whatever the case may be....fellas....get 'er done!

Pacquiao visit highlights STAR day

MANILA, Philippines - It was near pandemonium the moment Manny Pacquiao stepped out of his black Hummer.

Work stopped and everybody cheered when the world’s No. 1 boxer dropped by The STAR office in Manila’s Port Area as what he described as “the country’s No. 1 newspaper” celebrated its 23rd anniversary yesterday.

The 30-year-old boxing icon was mobbed as he inched his way through the editorial section. People lined up along the hallways leading to the fourth floor of the building where a program and more fans awaited him.

It was his first visit to the newspaper’s main office since more than 12 years ago when he was still a rising star. That time he arrived in a Mitsubishi L300 van and left with a few copies of his fight photos.

Times have changed.

This time, he rode a Hummer, tailed by a couple of SUVs, police motorcycle escorts and bodyguards. He smiled as he stepped out amid loud cheers of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” in his long-sleeved shirt, black pants and leather shoes.

“I have come back to celebrate with you,” said Pacquiao, sharing the stage with The STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, president/CEO Miguel Belmonte, director Kevin Belmonte and executive vice president Grace Glory Go.

Everybody cheered as Pacquiao, ever smiling, spoke.

“I salute every editor, every writer, every worker, every leader at Philippine STAR. What you have are not just words but dedication to truth, convictions of integrity and passion for excellence,” he said in a prepared speech.

“Your words are coupled with action. The role you play is very important to the lives of every Filipino. And I’m happy to share this moment with you. Through your support I got to where I am now,” continued the boxer.

He mentioned the newspaper’s sports columnist Quinito Henson, who played emcee, as one of the very first, very few who believed in him.

“The ring became the breeding ground of my dreams. Boxing became the platform of my victories. And all along The Philippine STAR was there to chronicle my journey. I thank Quinito for seeing and believing in my potentials,” he said, calling The STAR his partner, too.

“I believe that all of us are partners in progress. We are partners in serving the Filipino people. And as partners, we have different roles to play. We are not here just to entertain but inspire. We are not here just to make people watch but make people act.”

Pacquiao, who stayed more than an hour, even borrowed words from Mother Teresa.

“You can do what I cannot do, I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things. That is the power of partnership,” he said in his speech.

“In closing, let me congratulate you for being the country’s number one newspaper. I greet you with all my heart on your 23rd anniversary. Mabuhay ang Philippine STAR,” he said.

“Parang SONA (It’s like the State of the Nation Address),” Pacquiao said, and the room burst into laughter.

Then he went back to the editorial section and stayed a while, signing autographs and having pictures taken with the employees. A few female fans got away with kisses on his cheek.

“Ang bango-bango mo, Manny (You smell so good),” said one giggling fan.

Through it all, he smiled, obviously enjoying himself.

“I’m happy when I make people happy,” he said.

Pacquiao mulls initial training in Cebu

Pacquiao mulls initial training in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines -- In preparation for his November clash with welterweight star Miguel Cotto, IBO junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is reportedly planning to kick off his training in Cebu City.

In a TV interview, Pacquiao said he will be holding initial workouts in the famous southern city before flying to the US to train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. He added that he is eyeing to wrap up his preparations in Marbel, South Cotabato. 

If his plans push through, this would mark the first time Pacquiao has trained in the Philippines since his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2007. He has consistently trained in Roach’s Gym since 2008. 

Pacquiao’s bout with Cotto will be reportedly staged on Nov. 14.

Pacquiao vs Cotto Pressure Raised, WBO Title at Stake

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Filipino boxing hero and world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has insisted that his “Fire Power” showdown with Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas be for Cotto’s welterweight title and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says he “has no problem with that, let’s have it done.”

Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he had spoken to both Arum and WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and told them that Pacquiao wants the Cotto fight where the Puerto Rican had agreed to a catch-weight of 145 pounds to be a title fight and that both men had agreed.

Arum had earlier been quoted as saying the Pacquiao-Cotto fight would not be for the WBO 147 pound belt because apparently the fighters , particularly Cotto, wanted to save on the WBO sanction fees. At the same time boxing writer Michael Marley quoted Arum as saying “no one cares in the US about the belt.”

But after Gacal conveyed Pacquiao’s demands to Arum, the Top Rank promoter told Gacal he was ready to make it a battle for Cotto’s belt.

Gacal quoted Valcarcel as s aying “all or nothing” in reference to the fight, insisting that Cotto’s title be on the line.

Well known ring physician Dr. Allan Recto told us he had spoken to the WBO president Valcarcel who informed him that the sanction fee Pacquiao would have to pay amounts to $150,000 but gave no indication of how much the champion, Cotto, would be assessed.

Valcarcel also told Dr. Recto that Arum had told him before that “he was willing to pay the whole amount – for everybody.”

The WBO president said Pacquiao has “to write the WBO a letter of request. Then he talks to Bob Arum and Bob will inform me. Arum is willing to do it, you know. Now after that we can push Miguel Cotto to do it. We can both (Arum and Valcarcel) pressure Cotto to do it.”

A victory over Cotto in a WBO world welterweight title fight will reinforce Pacquiao's incredible legacy and establish the certified Philippine hero and a hero of Asia as perhaps the greatest fighter of all-time with an incredible seven world titles.

Floyd trainer hails Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines -- While Floyd Mayweather Jr. continues to verbally lambaste Manny Pacquiao, his uncle and trainer is slowly becoming a believer of the Filipino ring icon.

Roger Mayweather initially thought Pacquiao would get smothered by much-bigger foes Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. But the current pound-for-pound king proved him wrong.

"I did think that Ricky Hatton would whoop Pacquiao. Obviously, I was wrong," Mayweather told fightfan.com.

Mayweather, much like his nephew and his brother Floyd Sr., is known for his penchant for trash-talking -- a widely acknowledged trait of the Mayweather boxing clan.

But this time, he has some good words for Pacquiao, who is slated to face his fourth "big" opponent in welterweight star Miguel Cotto this November.

"He's (Pacquiao) got some serious balls. Fighting Miguel Cotto… De La Hoya… Ricky Hatton. All of those guys are much bigger than he is," the corner man said.

Pacquiao, who debuted as a flyweight (112 lbs.), has fought his last three fights in the lightweight (135 lbs.), welterweight (147 lbs.) and junior welterweight (140 lbs.) divisions against David Diaz, De La Hoya and Hatton, respectively.

Mayweather, however, is not completely sold on Pacquiao, saying he is not banking on the General Santos City-based southpaw to beat Cotto.

"I don't think he's going to beat Cotto," he said. "He's fighting a guy who can make the weight, and who's a pretty good puncher. I've got to see him beat Cotto… I've got to see it with my own eyes."

And if Pacquiao rolls over Cotto like he did with De La Hoya and Hatton?

"I'll be amazed," Mayweather quipped.

Roach draws up fight plan

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach is already in the “planning stage” as far as Manny Pacquiao’s coming fight with Miguel Cotto is concerned.

The three-time Trainer of the Year told The Las Vegas Review Journal yesterday that he plans to visit the Philippines next month just to make sure that Pacquiao is on track heading to the big Nov. 14 showdown with the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Roach wants Pacquiao to train from eight to 10 weeks for the Cotto fight, and Day One at the Wild Card Gym should start on the second week of September or just after the press tour that will take the fighters from New York to Puerto Rico.

Even before Pacquiao goes to the US, Roach wants the reigning pound-for-pound champion to start flexing his muscles back home, getting rid of those excess pounds so by the time he reports to the gym they won’t have to start from scratch.

Meanwhile, Roach will start doing his homework in his Los Angeles home. “I know Cotto pretty well. I haven’t really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we’re still in the planning stage,” Roach told the Review Journal.

The fight is pegged at a catchweight of 145 lb, two pounds short of the welterweight limit, and it remains uncertain if the 27-year-old Cotto will stake his title. Reports said WBO wants him to, but others say it just won’t happen.

Bob Arum said Cotto doesn’t want to stake his title because he doesn’t want to pay the sanction fee, whether it’s $150,000 or so much more than that. A lot of people are hoping that Cotto does put the crown on the line.

“I’ll go (to the Philippines) sometime next month and we’ll get started. For this fight, speed is going to be important. I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he’ll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset.”

Pacquiao fought Oscar dela Hoya at 147 lb last December, showing up for the weigh-in at 142 and climbing the ring at 148 1/2. Dela Hoya, who was knocked out inside nine rounds, weighed in at 145 and showed up for the fight at 147.

But Cotto is not Dela Hoya.

“He’s a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger. But I think Manny’s the better boxer, and Manny’s defense is the best it’s been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way,” said Roach.

Pacquiao Vs Cotto is a Non Title Bout

How True Pacquiao Vs Cotto is a Non Title Bout?

On November 14th, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will meet at a catchweight limit of 145 pounds in what will no doubt be one of the biggest boxing attraction for year 2009.

Since the weight limit for a welterweight bout’s official weight-in is 147lbs, then 145lbs is very well within the welterweight limit. Hence this fight is in the welterweight division.

Since Miguel Cotto is supposedly the WBO welterweight champion, then the WBO welterweight belt is supposedly on the line for this fight right?

Well…not quite… yet. Until they pay…

Recently there are some articles that were published mentioning that the Cotto vs. Pacquiao fight may not be a championship bout because they didn’t want to pay the WBO sanctioning fees.

While we agree that it is easier from the avid die-hard fans’ perspective to recognize an individual champion, with the frequency of title defenses, this is not a model that allows worthy contenders to fight for a title in a timely manner. But for the casual boxing fans, this makes them more confused…If you ask a casual fan who is the heavyweight champion of the world is, they’ll have no clue. Because there are three of them!

In recent years, and increasing number of ludicrous title fights have taken place; regular champions, interim championships, title eliminators, final eliminators, and Inter-continental, Oriental-Pacific and other a-b-c-d-e-f-g title fights. Today, many weight divisions suffer from the Alphabet Syndrome. There has not been a real champion. A number of factors have kept the division in turmoil, because there are forces that contribute to that confusion. A tournament might not settle every question; it does not always happen whenever an elimination bout took place. Nor the champ always fights the top contender or the best opponents out there.

More sanctioning bodies mean more opportunities for boxers, which is why we rarely hear the boxers themselves complaining about too many sanctioning bodies.

But it is the likes of the alphabet soup titles that are milking the sport by raking in sanctioning fees. Individual boxer’s views on sanctioning bodies would certainly vary depending on whose opinion you were seeking. The chance for a lower ranked fighter to proclaim himself a world champion would supposedly give a certain appeal, and hopefully potential financial benefits.

Some group of dudes can group together, form a sanctioning body, and call themselves “Intergalactic Pugilistic Council” or something to that effect; recognize a certain guy as their “Champion of the whole galaxy” (which could sound more prestigious than champion of the world right? à Not!) and then ask that recognized champion, his opponents and the promoters to pay them “sanctioning fees” whenever their champion fights because he should be defending the title, for the championship of the galaxy! If they don’t pay sanctioning fees, they’ll strip off the title from their champ! They’d say “Pay up or you’re no longer champion!” Sounds like good business eh?

Casual boxing fans or even people that have slight idea about boxing championship, think that a champion should lose his championship if he was beaten by a better fighter.

That may be happening with the Ring Magazine’s Lineal Championships, but with regards to these alphabet titles (WBO, IBF, WBC, WBA, etc., etc.,)…That’s not always the case…

Amidst the politics, the money and multiple sanctioning bodies giving out this title and that… make casual boxing fans more confused. What more when a certain champion is no longer champion and his title is no longer on the line for his up and coming fight simply because they didn’t pay? Wouldn’t that make casual fans even more confused? Would the fact that the champion is stripped off his title because of not paying sanctioning fees create more interest and attract more boxing fans or quite the opposite?

Remember, boxing is a good business if and only if there are more boxing fans!

And championships are held supposedly to attract more followers of the sport. Ever wonder why more people watch the NBA finals than the regular games? Or the Superbowl Finals? Or the World Cup Finals? Or the event for the gold medal? Why? Simply because it’s the CHAMPIONSHIP being participated supposedly by the best in the sport!

What does a championship bout could mean to Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao?

Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao will be scheduled to fight 12rounds anyways, and they will surely get their millions too even without the title on the line. These are two real warriors who don’t need belts to prove their worth. They have proven time and again that they are real champions. It’s just so happens that the titles are there up for grabs, and it doesn’t hurt to have those shiny things around the waist.

Do you really think the pound for pound best fighter in the world need the WBO welterweight belt to prove he is the best? He is already the best! Manny Pacquiao already captured 4 lineal titles in 4 different weight divisions! And nobody in history has ever done anything like that!

Would Miguel Cotto’s stock be lessening if he was striped off the WBO title because of not paying the sanction fee? Not at all! He is still Miguel Cotto, the champ who has beaten Carlos Quintana, Zab Judah, Paulile Malignaggi, Joshuah Clottey, Ricardo Torres and many other really tough guys! And now people wonder if Margarito could’ve really beaten him without that hardening plaster in his gloves?

And what does a WBO welterweight championship between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquio mean to boxing? Or better yet, what could this mean to Mr. Bob Arum, the sole promoter of this fight? boxing-pacquiao-vs-cotto.blogspot.com

Well… a lot! For boxing fans, this is about history. This is about watching Manny Pacquiao attempt something that seemed to be impossible back then, a record breaking 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions. Millions of fighters in the world would not even have 1 world title in their lifetime, how great can a person be if he person can capture seven! And that’s not all…in seven different weight divisions! This is about witnessing Manny Pacquiao, a little guy who started boxing at 106lbs, would face yet again, a bigger, stronger guy, trying to capture a title at 147lbs.

This is about Miguel Cotto defending his championship title against the pound for pound best fighter in the world! This is about the champ fighting the champ!

And it would be a boxing fans’ dream to witness something like that and tell the story for the next generations to come of the momentous championship that was Cotto vs. Pacquiao.

If this will be a championship bout…

For Bob Arum, this is about sparking people’s interest in boxing. This is about attracting more boxing fans to witness history in the making, which could mean more pay-per-view sales! This is about getting more customers and keeping those customers so they can come back for more.

This is about attracting more advertisers, putting in more sponsorship, and more millions in this sport of boxing. Heck! A championship event is the advertisers’ dream event!

This is about making more extra millions of dollars out of this mega event!

That could also mean bigger income for Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao from their revenue split!

Again, if this is a championship bout…

Therefore, why can’t they make it into one?!

C’mon! Put some sweet and some spice in this event! Pay the sanctioning fees and make everybody happy!

Cotto vs Pacquiao pound out their differences

Cotto vs Pacquiao pound out their differences

What a difference a couple of pounds can make.

Given how the rest of the summer has panned out so far, the boxing world braced for the inevitable — that the fall would be without its biggest fight.

Two pounds almost stood in the way of Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao looking for someone other than each other to fight later in the year. Two pounds threatened to become the latest negative storyline in a summer already flooded with bad news.

In the end, two pounds gives the boxing world something positive to talk about — and for its writers to type about.

The storylines were running thin, other than the same recurring theme — yet another fallout. It was about to become this week's subject, after Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. became the latest to have his name scratched from a summer schedule that reads more like an E.R. log-in sheet. A rib injury forced the oldest son of Mexico's most famous fighting family off Saturday's "Latin Fury 10" pay-per-view telecast, this on the heels of undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa being scratched last week.

Then came Cotto-Pacquiao — or Pacquiao-Cotto, depending on your viewpoint.

Two pounds is the difference between the fight taking place at the traditional welterweight limit, where Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) has campaigned full-time since December 2006, and the 145-pound catchweight at which the combatants will meet.

Barring his coming in heavy for the prefight weigh-in, 145 will be the lightest Cotto will officially weigh for a prize fight in more than three years, when he was drying out in order to make the junior welterweight limit. The Puerto Rican boxing superstar has weighed between 146 and the divisional limit of 147 for each of his eight welterweight fights to date.

Money wasn't of concern so much as the demand from Pacquiao that the fight takes place at an even lower limit. It was an issue in which Cotto refused to budge, not out of stubbornness, but for his own medical safety. Let Pacquiao enjoy the favorable end of the purse split; all Cotto asked for was something more in line with what his nutritionist would consider a realistic compromise.

Two pounds.

It is the difference between the fight's contracted weight and the 143-pound mark Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) originally pursued.

Some found the request unbecoming of a reigning pound-for-pound king, that the sport's very best should be willing to take on all comers under any and all circumstances. Not to mention that it would become the latest in an already far too long list of catchweight fights that continue to compromise the significance of having weight classes in the first place.

Others sympathized with the Filipino's cause. Having begun his career just north of the strawweight limit 14 years ago, the pending clash with Cotto would be just Pacquiao's fourth fight above 130, all coming in the last year and change.

After having captured the lineal super featherweight crown last March, Pacquiao has since spent one fight each at lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight. His pit stop at lightweight resulted in an alphabet title winning knockout over David Diaz.

Six months later, he cemented his claim as 2008's Fighter of the Year by forcing Oscar De La Hoya to quit on his stool — and ultimately from the sport altogether — after eight brutally one-sided rounds.

The event was marketed as a welterweight fight, though Pacquiao came in at 142 well below the division limit. It was just two pounds more than the next division in which he would campaign, dropping down to junior welterweight for his super-fight with Ricky Hatton this past May.

Pacquiao came in two pounds below the division limit, but carried heavyweight power in blitzing Hatton in two rounds to make boxing history in becoming the only fighter to capture lineal titles in four weight classes.

The two-pound compromise for the Cotto fight gives Pacquiao a different historical angle in which to pursue. Cotto holds an alphabet title at welterweight, which means a Pacquiao win could make him boxing's first ever to capture hardware in seven weight classes, if in fact a title is at stake.

Those who still lend credence to the alphabet sanctioning bodies will no doubt run with that story line as the fight draws closer. Others will take the fight for what it is — a titanic collision between two of the very best in the sport today — and perhaps draw parallels to other significant pound-for-pound matchups from yesteryear and beyond.

Simply put, the angles on which to cover this fight are endless. All of them figure to be explored between now through Nov. 14, and more than likely beyond if the fight comes anywhere close to living up to the already exceedingly high expectations.

A compromise on two pounds was all it took, to make the fight and save a boxing year that was threatening to become known for all of the wrong reasons.

Pacquiao agrees to face welterweight champion Cotto

Manny Pacquiao has finally agreed to terms for a Nov. 14 showdown with Miguel Cotto for a share of the welterweight title at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout will be televised on HBO pay-per-view.

Promoter Bob Arum wouldn't disclose the terms yet, but did confirm it would be at 145 pounds, two below the welterweight limit. Cotto, who owns a share of the welterweight crown along with Shane Mosley, gave the final OK last week. Pacquiao did so over the weekend.

"Both sides have agreed to the terms," said Arum, whose Top Rank Inc. promotes both fighters. "Now we're sending out formal contracts."

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) has held the linear championship in a record four different weight classes, including at junior welterweight (140) with his second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton on May 2. In his only fight at welterweight, the Filipino, who began his career at 106 pounds, stopped Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds in December.

The welterweight championship is split because Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) has a victory over Mosley, who beat Antonio Margarito in January. Margarito gave Cotto his only defeat in 2008.

Pacquiao agrees to face welterweight champion Cotto
source: usatoday.com

Is Pacquiao-Cotto Worth the Risk

Is Pacquiao-Cotto Worth the Risk

The biggest fight for the remainder of the year has been made. Manny Pacquiao will fight Miguel Cotto on Nov 14. But could this mega-fight prevent an even bigger one from happening?

Ask anyone involved in boxing the fight to make, and the answer is unanimous: Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao, the best two fighters in the sport. Provided Mayweather beats Juan Manuel Marquez in September, it’s a fight that could have been happening this year. Instead, Pacquiao is putting boxing’s biggest fight in jeopardy by moving up in weight to take on Cotto.

So why risk the fight that really matters?

While Pacquiao has yet to find a weight class too big for him, there has to be a wall at some point that the Filipino can’t run through. Cotto is a full-fledged welterweight who is at his strongest at 147 pounds. This isn’t Oscar De La Hoya getting down to 147 pounds for the first time in seven years. This is the guy that might be that wall.

By matching his top two fighters, Bob Arum is putting pressure on Mayweather to fight the winner – on his terms. With Pacquiao, Arum is trying to create a demand so big that Mayweather will have no choice but to face the winner, and for the share that Arum, not Mayweather, deems fair.

If Cotto wins, he’ll have positioned himself to get whatever fight he wants. Of course, there wouldn’t be any bigger fight for him than Mayweather. They would be on a collision course in the same way that Pacquiao and Mayweather are now. Arum wins either way.

If Cotto loses to Pacquiao, he’ll have lost to an all-time great. Cotto’s title isn’t on the line since the bout isn’t at welterweight. He’ll be the WBO Champion on November 15, win or lose. He can pick up the pieces by taking a rematch with Shane Mosley to determine the divisional champion in his next fight.

A Pacquiao win guarantees one more mega-fight before his retirement – against the winner of Mayweather-Marquez. If it’s Marquez, fans will see the conclusion of one of boxing’s great trilogies. If it’s Mayweather, fans will be treated to the top two fighters in the sport facing off for boxing supremacy in what could be either man’s final fight.

In the event Pacquiao loses, the Marquez fight is still a strong possibility. Marquez earned a draw with Pacquiao in 2004 despite getting knocked down three times in the first round. In 2008, he lost the rematch by a single point and has clamored for a rubber match ever since, making it his reason for fighting on. Pacquiao can always fight Marquez to get back into boxing’s top program.

A loss to Cotto will not be disastrous for Pacquiao, but what about the sport he’s carried for the last year? If he loses, so too does everyone that wants the Mayweather fight. A loss suffered by either man would kill the hype and maybe the fight itself.

Every time a fighter steps in the ring, he risks losing out on the next big fight. That’s how the fight game works. It’s about always building to the next big fight, and the plans often fall through. It’s when good fights beget great fights that boxing is most rewarding for fans and fighters alike. This was the case when Cotto took a serious risk fighting Joshua Clottey in June. He came through in a tough fight and earned a fight with Pacquiao as his reward.

With Pacquiao risking the biggest fight in decades against Cotto, fight fans can only hope Pacquiao realizes there’s more on the line now than ever before. If he does, the reward will be ten-fold.

Pacquiao to gets P570-million vs Cotto

Pacquiao to gets P570-million vs Cotto

While Manny Pacquiao is getting a guarantee of $12 million (about P570 million) against Miguel Cotto in their November 14 super fight – the same amount he got against Ricky Hatton last May when they agree to a 50-50 revenue split – the Filipino stands to earn much more this time considering that he got the lion’s share of the money in the profit-sharing.

Sources within Team Pacquiao say that Pacquiao was granted a 65-35 share and that he stands to collect an extra in case the Puerto Rican fails to make the agreed weight limit of 145 lbs during the official weighin on the eve of the fight.

However, it could not be determined how much Cotto will be assessed assuming he is overweight.

Pacquiao got the bigger percentage owing not only to his status as boxing’s premier fighter but his proven track record in selling pay-per-view and tickets.

Pacquiao’s landmark bout with Oscar De La Hoya last year generated 1.25 million buys that amounted to $70 million.

Against Erik Morales in 2006, a provision in the contract stipulated that Morales pay $1 million for every pound in excess of 130 lbs. As it turned out, Pacquiao did not cash in on that one since Morales – severely dehydrated from the massive weight reduction – made the weight but eventually lost in a devastating manner.

Cotto might not undergo the harrowing experience Morales had years ago since he actually weighed 146 lbs in his last fight last June.

Still, Team Pacquiao is not discounting the possibility that Cotto might have to shed off some excess poundage in the hopes of preventing a massive fine.

Cotto plans to start training in late-August in Puerto Rico before moving to Tampa, Florida.

Pacquiao sets to rekindle his successful partnership with Freddie Roach in the middle of September after attending the three-city press tour that kicks off Sept. 9 in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao to face Cotto in Vegas

Manny Pacquiao's next fight will be against three-time world champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas in November.

Filipino Pacquiao, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions, while Puerto Rico's Cotto is the WBO welterweight world champion.

Promoter Bob Arum, who represents both fighters said: "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"I'm really excited because it's a real fight. These are two real warriors."

Pacquiao has risen to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings over the past 19 months thanks to victories in four different weight divisions.

He beat Juan Manuel Marquez (super-featherweight), David Diaz (lightweight), Oscar de la Hoya (welterweight) and most recently Ricky Hatton (light-welterweight) in May.


Cotto was in action more recently, narrowly defeating Ghana's Joshua Clottey by split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden last month.

Arum added: "Whichever way this fight goes, I think it's going to be a classic because of the way these guys fight. There where will be a lot of engagement.

"They're great fighters. Cotto and Pacquiao are gutty guys. If you want blood and action and excitement, this is the fight."

Pacquiao to face Cotto in Vegas

Marquez Prepared to Beat Mayweather

Marquez Prepared to Beat Mayweather

Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO’s) is ready to pull off a major upset on September 19th in his mega fight with undefeated pound-for-pound boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KO’s) at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marquez, 35, has put on weight, gotten much stronger and is hitting harder than he ever did before. Marquez is making no secret about what he plans to do against the 32-year-old Mayweather, intending on attacking him to the body.

Mayweather struggled in the past when facing Jose Luis Castillo, a huge body puncher, who attacked Mayweather downstairs often in their two fights in 2002. Although Castillo lost both of the fights, many people boxing fans feel that Mayweather lost the first fight in April 2002.

Marquez has been training in the mountains for his bout with Mayweather, running hills and lifting large rocks to strengthen his legs, arms and shoulders. Marquez sees Mayweather as having a weakness in taking body shots and intends on working in that area against him. Mayweather recently sustained an injury to one of his ribs while in training. He won’t say what was the cause of the injury, but speculation is that one of his hard-hitting sparring partners hurt him with a big body shot while training.

Mayweather has since healed up and barring another injury, will be ready for their bout in September. Mayweather hasn’t fought in two years since retiring after his 10th round TKO victory over Ricky Hatton in 2007.

Rumored to be in need of money, Mayweather has come back with the goal of fighting Manny Pacquiao. However, instead of taking an easy tune-up for the fight, Mayweather decided on Marquez, who he points out really beat Pacquiao in both of Marquez’s prior two fights with Manny.

Mayweather figures that by beating Marquez and hopefully Pacquiao, if he can land a fight with him, Mayweather would be beating two of the best fighters in all of boxing. However, it won’t be easy, because the time away from boxing surely couldn’t have helped Mayweather’s skills any.

Mayweather looks noticeably older, less youthful than he did two years ago and there’s a question whether he still has what it takes. For a fighter to take off that much time from the sport, especially a fighter in the lighter weight classes, it’s often difficult, if not impossible, for them to stage a successful comeback. Usually the fighters in the smaller weight classes are unable to come back successfully once they retire for any length of time. The heavyweight class is a different story.

Fighters like George Foreman, Vitali Klitschko and to a lesser extent Larry Holmes, were able to come back to the sport after an extensive amount of time in retirement. For Mayweather to do it, will be a tough task. However, the advantage that he has over normal fighters is that he was so good before he retired that even if he’s only 75% of what he used to be, it might be just enough to get a win over Marquez.

Additionally, Mayweather is the bigger fighter, used to fighting at welterweight compared to Marquez, a former featherweight who has been moving up in weight the past year.

Sugar in Cotto's bowl makes Pacquiao title issue vanish

It’s a bubbling cauldron now. You can see that on the comments section underneath my columns and everywhere else on the Internet.

Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto is en fuego in a raging way that, for example, the Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweeather bout is not.

The Pinoys and the Puerto Ricans are going at it hammer and tong already and promoter Bob Arum and the MGM Grand have not even put the tickets for the Nov. 14 megabout on sale.

Here’s one fight where the great fans of Mexico can sit on the sidelines and just savor what is sure to be a crowdpleasing bout.

Arum is bubbly, talking about a $9 million live gate and possibly hitting the million buys mark on PPV TV.

So the flames are high and the promotional soup is cooking fast.

But, hey waiter, what is that fly doing in my Cotto-Pacman soup?

Waiter: Looks like the backstroke to me, sir.

The fly is the fact, as I reported Wednesday, that as of now Cotto does not wish to put his WBO welterweight title on the line.

Now it’s up to Arum to spread the love, I mean the money, so that Cotto plays ball on a title defense.

I just don’t think you will press conferences on Sept. 9 in Los Angeles, the next day in New York and Sept. 12 in Puerto Rico where Arum and the combatants will want to be fielding questions about why Cotto’s crown is not at risk.

That would be awkward and embarrassing, really, when the solution is for Uncle Bob, just as he did with Pacquiao’s hesitation at a 145 pound limit, to go into his deep pockets and throw a bit of sugar into the Cotto sugar bowl.

Once Arum does that, voila, the problem is solved.

Pacman will be introduced as the challenger and Cotto as the defending and reigining champion.

What can’t be overlooked is that it’s really Packy who is defending the more prestigious title, the mythical but always mentioned Pound for Pound King of the Ring title.

Which reminds me, why doesn’t some smart sponsor create such a P4P belt and present it to Pacman?

Hey, I’m just trying to help Uncle Bob square things with Cotto.

Every extra nickel and dime will help.

Final note: For some of you newbies, a welterweight is anyone who officially weighs anywhere above 140 pounds and a maximum of 147 pounds.

The “catch weight” provision in the Pacquiao-Cotto contracts at 145 is not a concern as to the WBO title.

I can tell you who the WBO will be rooting for and that’s a Pinoy named Pacquiao.

Sure, the WBO is headed by Boricua Paco Valcarcel and sure the home office is on the island.
But you know that Paco and his crew dream of having a standard bearer like Pacquaio wearing the WBO belt.

In case you haven’t noticed, Pacquiao is a money magnet.

Manny Pacquiao Secret Weapon Training #1

Every sports requires body, high stamina, powerful mindset and extremely high endurance of pain. Boxing is one of the most dangerous sports due to its effect of getting brain damage and many other side effect of boxing but before we go to the effects of boxing, lets try to see how to be a great boxer. No one in the world never heard of the name "Pac Man" nor Manny Pacquiao, even a little kid on the street idolize him for being such a great pound for pound king of boxing. Manny Pacquiao training is not that easy for somebody who would like to test it, it comes firstly with mindset then willingness to win the ring. Every boxers has its weak point but they also have their strength and special secret weapon, do you want to know what is Manny Pacquiao's secret weapon in training camp? Manny Pacquiao Secret Weapon Training #1 is called "Stick Training", let the pound for pound King explain why Stick Training is also a secret weapon in boxing. Watch this

Pacquiao vs Cotto Official Battle

After what seems like weeks of haggling back and forth on silly terms, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have finally agreed to fight on November 14, at the MGM Grand. The biggest of the sticking points was the catchweight for the fight, which will be at 145 pounds. That means that Cotto's welterweight title will be on the line, but Pacquiao's light welterweight championship will not.

This is excellent news. While it may not be THE fight that everyone wanted, it undeniably should be a solid, all-action fight between two top 10 pound for pound boxers. As with Pacquiao's last few fights, there will be a number of plotlines to watch out for. Will Pacquiao be able to take Cotto's punch? Will Cotto have full energy if he has to boil down below 147? Will the press be able to coax a negative word out of the mouth of either fighter for the entire press tour?

In my estimation, Pacquiao has very little to lose but a whole lot to gain out of this fight. If he wins, he will have either been champion or held an alphabet belt at seven different weight classes, which is completely unheard of. In addition, his star probably becomes even bigger, being in another megafight against someone who's no slouch at the box office himself. If he loses, he does have the excuse of fighting well above his best weight, although after his destructions of De La Hoya and Hatton, that excuse won't hold a ton of water. Still, even taking on a prime, top 10 pound for pound fighter at a weight that's only 1 pound less than his last fight is a gutsy move.

The other good news is that this will hopefully end the standstill for other major fights getting made. Pacquiao and Cotto becoming unavailable forces Shane Mosley's hand, which in turn affects Paul Williams, which in turn affects Kelly Pavlik. Now that the suspense is over, don't be too surprised to see all three of them sign for fights (probably not against each other, unfortunately) in rapid succession.

Pacquiao vs Cotto Official! Who will win Pacuqiao-Cotto?
* Pacquiao by KO
* Pacquiao by Decision
* Draw
* Cotto by KO
* Cotto by Decision
What will it be?

Pacquiao like Prometheus astride 140 pounders

Pacquiao like Prometheus astride 140 pounders

It’s become one of boxing’s most oft repeated clichés. I’m talking about people talking about how “loaded” the junior welterweight division, whose titular head is Manny Pacquiao, is.



On second thought, is it really?
Take a gander at the fighters Below the Pacman, particularly in the second half of my own personal rankings, and try to tell me than how powerful and talented the 140 pounders are.

Pacquaio is the master, no doubt, of all he surveys but half of his estate looks like a virtual slum.

For the other 140 pounders, it’s Pacman’s World, they just live in it.

Pacquiao is dentist, Arum is barber, Cotto golfs

Pacquiao is dentist, Arum is barber, Cotto golfs

Just as I thought, Manny Pacquiao is not being less than macho in objecting to a 145 pound weight limit for a Nov. 14 bout against true welterweight Miguel Angel Cotto.

Pacquiao is just showing he's got a Yiddishe kop, meaning a Jewish mind for business. Surely, his promoter Uncle Bob Arum can appreciate that.

Now we hear that Pacman, lawyer Jeng "Jackal" Gacal and Puck's Bad Boy, Canadian fun guy Michael Koncz will sit down in Los Angeles Sunday or Monday with Arum to finalize the bout.

There will be five chairs at this high level sitdown as Koncz works for Pacman and for Uncle Bob. if there is any conflict of any kind, Koncz invokes the Lady Byng Rule, meaning he asks what is best for himself.

They don't call Koncz Agent 007 for nothing, you know.

All Pacquiao is doing here is his best impression of a dentist.

Meaning that he will extract a financial premium from Arum to acquiesce to the 145 pound limit rather than his preference for two pounds less.

Open mouth wide, Bob. Not to worry as I'm am sure that once, say Pacman agrees to accept the Marley Two Pound Premium of Fitty Cent, I mean Fitty G's per pound or $100,000, then the contracts will be be duly signed.

I just hope Gacal doesn't confuse matters by asking Manny to add his "John Hancock" to the bottom of the bout contract.

Manny might take it literally, having no idea who John Hancock was. I mean, before Hancock became an insurance company.

Hancock versus Cotto just won't move tickets and ring up the same PPV sales, I am certain.

Oh, back to Bob, once Pacman gets into his tightly sewn pockets, Arum will then do his best impression of a barber and I do not mean the operatic Barber of Seville.

Meaning that it will be Boricua Bomber Cotto who will getting the haircut, the slight trim, from Arum's newly sharpened shears.

Chop, chop, Cotto's bottom line takes a paddywhack from his promoter.

That will teach Cotto to play golf with that kvetching Oscar De La Hoya in Puerto Rico.

Arum has chastized Cotto, so I hear, for hitting the little white ball with Oskie.

Arum is inserting a special no golf with ODLH clause into the Pacquiao contract.

Even miniature golf with the Golden Golfer will be banned.

From what I've been told by Chi Chi Rodriguez, shoots a nifty 54...and that is just on the front nine!

Cotto reportedly gave up miniature golf anyway because he was always hitting the ball into the clown's mouth. How embarrassing.

So, summing up, Pacquiao will play dentist.

Arum then plays barber.

And Cotto plays, oh I don't know, croquet, sabong, badminton, Chinese checkers, Clue...any game except golf.

One concerned Pinoy in the midst of the whole controversy is former Malacanang operative Hermie Rivera who said, "I don't care what games these people play as long as I don't have to be the caddy.

"I would recommend water polo for the whole crew but it's difficult to find polo ponies who can swim like Michael Phelps."

source: examiner

Miguel Cotto hopes to win the lottery against Pacquiao

Miguel Cotto hopes to win the lottery against Pacquiao

He is a man on a mission. He is in search of a new promoter , but knows that the outcome of his next fight will determine how much interest he garners. To put just a little more pressure on the man is the fact that his next fight is against boxing's superman , Manny Pacquiao.

Boxing is a tough sport , but you won't find too many fighters tougher than Miguel Cotto. He was able to survive a tough fight against venerable Joshua Clottey in June. His resume was already filled with world class boxers such as Mosley , Judah and Margarito. But every fight against a top ranked fighter seems to become a slugfest for Cotto. He ends up cut and the fights end up being close. But that might be the situation he needs. Professional football and baseball teams are known for their ability to win close games. That could become Cotto's modus operandi.

The big money will surely be bet on Pacquiao. But suppose the fight befuddles the critics and is close after nine rounds. Will Miguel be able to dig deep into his iron will and pull off one of boxing's biggest upsets? If he does then it couldn't happen to a nicer man.

A loss wouldn't end his boxing career. But a blowout could permanently hurt him as a box office draw.

Promoters would also be slow to sign him if Pacquiao does the expected and ends Cotto's night early. But there is always that chance. Cotto is a powerful welterweight and has shown a ton of resilience. It wouldn't be the biggest upset of all-time , but it would rank way up there.

So Miguel is filling out his sheet and hoping that the lottery machine kicks out his numbers on November 14. All he can do is prepare and hope for the best. Who knows , come the morning of November 15 the world may awaken to find that the newest member of the mega millionaire club is named Miguel Cotto.

source: examiner

Shane still at it, challenges Pacquiao at 140

Shane still at it, challenges Pacquiao at 140

SHANE Mosley will do anything, including going down to 140 lb, to forge a fight with Manny Pacquiao.

With World Boxing Organization welterweight king Miguel Cotto looming large as the Filipino ring icon’s next opponent, Mosley went the extra mile to attract the attention of Team Pacquiao.

The World Boxing Association welterweight champion told Ben Thompson of Fighthype on Wednesday that he wants to challenge Pacquiao for his International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown.

According to the 37-year-old Mosley, he made the tempting offer because he had never won the 140-lb crown and he wants to claim Pacquiao’s pound-for-pound tag.

Though he’d initially given up chasing Pacquiao, Mosley said the thought of his legacy prompted him to step up the plate again.

Mosley, who’d been beaten by Cotto, said his proposal should make both Bob Arum and Freddie Roach, the promoter and trainer of Pacquiao, respectively, happy.

Arum is willing to pit Pacquiao against Cotto at a catch weight of 145 pounds. For his part, Roach is willing to give Mosley a shot at 143 pounds.

As an added bait, Mosley said he’s agreeable to a 60-40 percent revenue split.
source: sports.inquirer.net

Oscar De La Hoya speaks truth on Manny Pacquiao

Oscar De La Hoya speaks truth on Manny Pacquiao

Every time he fights, they have their greedy hands in Manny Pacquiao’s pocket.

Having been around the boxing block for four plus decades, I am not easily offended.

But the sheer hypocrisy of Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy henchmen badmouthing Pacman while at the same time they’re writing out bank deposit slips from revenue he produced, well that makes me sick to my stomach.

If De La Hoya, who now plays a silly game “backing” Juan Manuel Marquez against another GBP fighter named Floyd Mayweather Jr., wanted to speak from his heart here’s what he would say:

“Hey, this guy beat my ass and beat it bad. I was mistaken, thinking I could crunch this mere midget from the Philippines. I thought the fight would be a walkover at best, a bout where I had to work up a sweat like against Stevie Forbes (another junior welterweight) at the worst.

"I figured Manny, he was just a well paying pit stop en route to a rematch of my Businessman's Special II against Li'l Floyd. How could some dude who started as a flyweight beat me?

“But, hell no, Freddie Roach had a perfect fight plan and Manny executed it perfectly. This cat shocked me in ways that Mayweather never did. This cat sent me spinning into retirement.”

Then, after he caught his breath, De La Hoya would throw another thunderbolt of truth like this:

“You know, if Manny was an American citizen like I am, he’d be considered the greatest thing since sliced bread. He might not have my cover boy following with females but he would be idolized from coast to coast. He would be this generation’s Sugar Ray Leonard. He would have some of the outside the ring endorsements and other things that I’ve gotten along the way. Obama would have him over to the White House all the time.

“But he means as much as any fighter ever has, maybe more, to his own people. He’s got a following among the Pinoys like Julio Cesar Chavez did among the Mexicans. But I wave the flag for Marquez now and I say silly things about how Juan Ma beat Manny twice.

“I know it’s all promotional poppycock but I follow the script. I do my Manny bashing up until fight night and then me and my company we take down our Manny loot as a result of the out of court settlement with Bob Arum. Once that check goes into the bank, we rewind our house organ and start bashing Pacquiao again.

“But it’s just an act like in pro wrestling. Some people take it seriously but I say, hey loosen up, it’s just a game.

“All that horse manure I spread about Manny ‘losing” to Juan Ma, about how Mayweather is an “A
side and all that, it’s just grist for the mill. Mayweather couldn't sell out his backyard in Vegas if he was giving away Kobe steaks, fully grilled. He is such a great draw he fought Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City and Sharmba Mitchell in that boxing hotbed of Portland, Oregon.

“What do you think I’d be saying if my Shanghai move on Pacman had worked?

“Right, then I would flip the script.

“I’m a fight promoter, people. Wake up, I don’t have one ounce of sincerity left in my bones.

“All that junk I said about Ricky Hatton beating Manny, do you think I believed it? I do know a left hook from a fish hook, you got to admit that. I knew Hatton didn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hell against Manny but I surely couldn’t say it, at least in public.

“I’m De La Hoya, baby, and while I used to stand for something, now the only thing I stand for is the national anthem,

“I have morphed into being what I accused Arum of being.

"I shuck, I jive, I'm like an oldtime medicine man. I got the cure for what ails you.

"Did you ever tell you what a lousy but incredibly lucky fighter Pacquaio really is?

"Hey Richard, where's my script where it says Pacman sucks and we have FILL IN NAME HERE for the guy we maintain will beat him.

"You know we save money with that, with FILL IN NAME HERE, cuts down our paper costs."
source: examiner.com

Pacquiao the boxer draws praise from UFC supremo Dana White

Pacquiao the boxer draws praise from UFC supremo Dana White
Filipino phenomenon Manny Pacquiao, it seems, is part of the fighting world’s stream of consciousness at present. And high in the mind of those in Las Vegas, now his home from home from home – after General Santos City and Los Angeles.

In the past ten days, all of which I spent in Vegas, the major sport on the horizon was the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was celebrating its centenary event, and some spectacle it was.

Mixed Martial Arts and boxing are having their own warring dance at present, at least the principal movers and shakers are, punch and counter punch attempting body blows in a rivalry which is fatuous and not fitting. Boxing and mixed martial arts have no bearing, suffice to say that boxing is suffering a financial slump where MMA is clearly, commercially on the rise. Cagefighting is big bucks at present, nowhere more so than Las Vegas.

UFC 100 is expected to draw in 1.3 million pay-per-view buys, was broadcast to 75 countries, and the ticket sales drew 5.1 million US dollars. Oh, and the tickets sold out in three hours. That said, behind the press ranks, I did see a smattering of a couple of dozen seats empty. Always inexplicable, that.

Yet the major commercial growth in the UFC is staggering, given that we are in a global recession. Zuffa, the company, which owns the UFC, grossed over 270 million US dollars in 2008. This year, that growth is estimated to increase to 300 million US dollars.

Boxing could take a leaf out of the way of the UFC’s book, and study some of their smart moves. Significant, then, that during the  UFC 100 build-up, Pacquiao was a name on people’s lips on several occasions. One, I imagine because Pacman has a strong foothold on the Las Vegas billboard landscape, but also because he is admired by fighting men the world over.

Michael Bisping, the British mixed martial artist, devastatingly knocked out by Dan Henderson - in a style reminiscent of Ricky Hatton at the hands of Pacquiao in early May – told me he would like to see more of Pacquiao.

And, in the main news conference in the UFC 100 build up, when asked if MMA was now bigger than boxing, UFC CEO Dana White was generous in his answer. “Look, man, we are looking at different things here. The UFC is bringing in 400 million US dollars a year into Las Vegas. Does that make us bigger than boxing ? Who knows ? I keep hearing people saying that boxing is dying. I’m a fan of boxing. There are great fights out there. Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and there are some great fights to be made with him…”

There were plenty of nodding heads in the press ranks. Because everyone knows that Pacquiao comes to fight. And against Miguel Cotto on November 14, he will have one hell of a scrap. I’m backing him from this juncture to beat Cotto, regardless of what weight they are to meet at. My theory is that they should have met at 147lbs. I think Pacquiao will make Cotto, a great warrior, look slow.

source:  Gareth A Davies at telegraph.co.uk

Mosley to Pacquiao Let’s fight at 140 lbs

Shane Mosley has made a very tempting offer to Manny Pacquiao.

“I am ready to fight (Pacquiao) at 140 (lbs) now,” Mosley said in a statement released by his publicist Lauren Renschler on Saturday.

“There is unfinished business to take care of. I have never fought at junior-welterweight,” said Mosley, whose emergence could pose a threat to negotiations to finalize a deal for a Pacquiao bout against Miguel Cotto for November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“This is the fight the fans want and I’m prepared to give it to them. It’s up to (Pacquiao promoter) Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao to stop running from me and step up to the challenge. Let’s meet in the ring at 140,” said Mosley, who, only last week had given up after it appeared that the Pacquiao-Cotto tiff is a done deal.

Mosley began his career as a lightweight (135 lbs), slowly moved up and actually fought once at junior-welterweight against Mike Bryan, who Mosley stopped in less than a round in Mississippi in January 1996.

Since leaving the lightweight ranks in 1999, Mosley has fought mostly at welter and even at super-welter (154 lbs) for at least seven times.

Earlier this week, Pacquiao declared that he will insist that he will agree to face Cotto if the catch weight is 143 lbs after Cotto stood firm in his decision that it has to be at 145 lbs.

Pacquiao said he should be the one dictating the terms owing to his stature aside from the fact that he is not a natural welterweight, having only weighed 138 lbs against Ricky Hatton in his last fight and 142 lbs against Oscar De La Hoya late last year.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto fight under the Top Rank banner of Arum, who is in the final phase of his European vacation and is expected to return to the US Sunday night, in time for a press conference in Los Angeles the following day.

“I want to reclaim the title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. First Pacquiao, then Mayweather — I’m ready to put all of the naysayers to rest,” said the 37-year-old Mosley, who holds the World Boxing Association welterweight (147 lbs) crown.

Pacquiao lawyer Jeng Gacal believes Cotto can still lower his weight for Pacquiao.

source: NICK GIONGCO at mb.com.ph

Cotto Continues To Pursue 145-Pound Catch Weight In Pacquiao Fight

Cotto Continues To Pursue 145-Pound Catch Weight In Pacquiao Fight

Though Pacquiao has insisted that he deserves the right to negotiate the megafight with Miguel Cotto on his terms, Cotto belives he has some pull, too.

In early July, the Puerto Rican WBO welterweight champion insisted that he would not go below a 145-pound catch weight in negotiations for the megafight with Manny Pacquiao proposed to come this November.

He's not backing down. "My petition is the same," Cotto said recently in the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia.

Though both camps insist that the much-anticipated fight is practically agreed upon, no one is denying that negotiators still must agree on the ever-important catch weight along with the revenue splits.

Pacquiao would prefer to have the fight at a 143-pound catch weight since he is not a true welterweight. The Filipino superstar weighed in at 138 last May against Ricky Hatton. However, many analysts say this catch weight would still benefit the Filipino superstar since Cotto is currently much more used to fighting around 147 and up.

Still, Cotto belives that going below 145 pounds is more than just a disagreement.

"I am not going to risk my health. The [catch] weight of 145 pounds is final and firm," Cotto said earlier in July. Beyond those discrepancies, Pacquiao has said that the fight is, "80 percent [done]." 

“A pound or two will not stop this fight (from happening),” said Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels.

source; http://bleacherreport.com/articles/218954-cotto-continues-to-pursue-145-pound-catch-weight-in-pacquiao-fight

Mayweather sees Pacquiao win over Cotto

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr. believes WBO welterweight champion Miguel is already a mentally washed-up fighter that he is leaning toward Manny Pacquiao to beat the Puerto Rican star.

In an interview with ESPN, Mayweather said that with the punishment Cotto endured in his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito last year, the Puerto Rican's mental toughness has changed.

Margarito stopped Cotto in the 11th round of their grueling July 2008 bout to hand the latter his first loss in 32 outings.

"I think after the Margarito fight, mentally, Cotto is not the same," Mayweather told ESPN's Brian Kenny. "You can never say what can happen in the sport of boxing, but I think Pacquiao is a quick starter, and if I had to lean toward a fighter, I would say Pacquiao."

Mayweather, who is coming back from retirement for a fight with lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in September, was once considered as a potential opponent for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, however, is now eyeing a date with Cotto in November after seeing the latter struggle in his fight against Joshua Clottey last June 13. Cotto escaped with a split-decision victory and had his face busted up by Clottey’s powerful blows.

Mayweather, for his part, thinks Clottey should have come out as the victor on that night.

"I thought Cotto lost his last fight," Mayweather said. "It was close, but I thought he lost."
soure: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=487620&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Studying Boxing Technique of Manny Pacquio vs Marco Antonio Barrera

Sounds boring if you say, we will study Manny Pacquiao boxing moves But everything came from the basic boxing strategies like 1, 2, 3 hits, 1, 2 straight jobs and etc but all of this moves requires 1 critical point which foot work, what how Manny Pacquiao vs Marco Antonio Barrera












more boxing reviews about pacquiao vs cotto soon!

HBO featured Miguel Cotto's Greatest Hits

Take a look in Miguel Cotto Boxing History, winning boxing career & Puertorican Cotto's Greatest Hits! Miguel Cotto is currently shedding weight against Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao will be a disadvantage to his strong punches. Miguel Cotto is not a counter puncher even if he is, Cotto's style will be an easy target for Manny Pacma by KO in the middle round 4 or round 5. Manny Pacquiao has the edge in speed and right timing of release punches plus with his new found power in his right arm with massive blow that hits British boxer Ricky Hatton. It will be difficult for Manny Pacquiao fight for Cotto beacause stamina and chin will put him to the real fist pound for pound test.

What how Miguel Cotto dominate the ring of boxing


Miguel Cotto will defenitly defeat Manny Pacquiao because Manny never faught a figther with such power and he is scarred he wants Miguel Cotto at 143 and the figth is at 145, Cotto can win but a great chance of losing. Miguel Cotto is been doing the hardest training and getting better and improved version of powerful Tito Trinidad. Cotto is smarter in the ring and outside of it. Surely Cotto will not have a good night against Manny Pacquiao. However who did Pacquiao recently Knock Out? Ricky Hatton who as we know has a weak guard and no blocking or movement ability during their fight. You can't even compare them. Know which side are you? Cotto or Pacquiao?

Pacquiao-Cotto Contract on Hold While Bob Arum is on Vacation

Pacquiao-Cotto Contract on Hold While Bob Arum is on Vacation


There seems to be a news blackout with regards to the signing of the fight contract between Pacquiao and Cotto as Bob Arum is currently vacationing in Europe. The camp of Pacquiao is suddenly talking of a Pacquiao-Mosley fight.
The Pacquiao-Cotto boxing match will remain uncertain until Top Rank’s honcho Bob Arum returns from a European vacation.
For now, it’s all speculation. No confirmation of any fight detail is expected until after Arum comes back any day next week.
Before traveling to the US for a photo shoot with Kobe Bryant and Maria Sharapova, Manny Pacquiao said in a TV News report that he is only 80% sure the Pacquiao-Cotto fight will happen.
The pound-for pond king returned to the Philippines from a photo session with the equally famous sports celebrities without seeing Bob Arum, hence no decision on the fight contract was made during the week.
It seems that news reporters where Arum is vacationing somewhere in Europe are prevented from getting a short statement from the popular boxing promoter with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign posted on the door of his hotel suite.
In news reports yesterday, Shane Mosley’s name is again being floated as Pacquiao’s opponent this year as the Cotto camp could not decide on the weight Pacquiao wants for the fight.
Philstar.com reports:

Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said if Miguel Cotto insists on the catch weight of 145 lb, the Filipino boxing icon might be forced to consider Mosley as his next opponent.
“We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley,” said Gacal from Davao City.
Still the date and venue for the fight have not yet been finalized. “Regarding the date, maybe we can give in to what Bob Arum wants although Manny really wants to fight in October. But there’s the baseball thing so maybe we can agree on November,” said Gacal.

On the weight issue, “Manny will be giving up too much if he agrees to fight Cotto at 145. We want him at 143 and if he insists otherwise, then we’ll look at Mosley if Mosley is still available,” said the Filipino lawyer.

source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/275915

Pacquiao-Cotto Match Hangs on Catch weight and Purse Issues

Pacquiao-Cotto Match Hangs on Catch weight and Purse Issues
Pacquiao-Cotto Match Hangs on Catch weight and Purse Issues
The Pacquiao-Cotto boxing match has yet to be finalized with the catch weight and purse issues still hanging in the air. Cotto insists that he will not go below 145 while Pacquiao says he is fighting Cotto at 143.
The much talked about boxing match between Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico hangs on two issues- catch weight and fight purse.
Yesterday Cotto said he is sticking to his decision to fight the pound-for-pound king at 145, no more, no less.
Pacquiao, on the other hand wants it at 143, although his trainer, Freddie Roach appears to be agreeable to 144. But Cotto remain steadfast in his decision which was reached earlier in consultation with his nutritionist.
Boxing fans believe that the two popular boxers will eventually meet halfway at 144. This will not matter most with Pacquiao but it will be a big issue for Cotto and his nutritionist.
The Pacquiao-Cotto match will most likely take place in Las Vegas, Nevada possibly on November 14, 2009. The fight contract though has not been signed and sealed.
Miguel Cotto is fresh from his ‘not so impressive’ victory over Joshua Clottey of Ghana last month at the Madison Square Garden in New York, while Manny Pacquiao won over Ricky Hatton by KO last May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

source:http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/275865

Cotto insists on 145 lbs vs Pacquiao

Cotto insists on 145 lbs vs Pacquiao

Miguel Cotto remains steadfast in his position that before a mega buck fight with Manny Pacquiao gets signed, sealed, and delivered for Nov 14, it has to be at a catch weight of 145 lbs.

“Mi peticion es la misma, no cambia (My petition is the same, no change),” Cotto told Hiram Alberto Torraca of the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia over the weekend when asked whether his standpoint has changed.

Pacquiao had said last week that while he believes that the fight is 80 percent done, the revenue sharing and the catch weight have yet to be agreed upon by the two camps, stressing that he doesn’t only deserve the lion’s share of the money but is unconstrained in demanding a catch weight of 143 lbs owing to his stature.

Still, a ranking official of Top Rank believes these are all part of the normal things that happen in the buildup to a super fight featuring Pacquiao, boxing No. 1 attraction, and Cotto, the Puerto Rican star who holds the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown.

Comparing Manny Pacquiao Vs Miguel Cotto Boxing Winning History

Comparing Manny Pacquiao Vs Miguel Cotto Boxing Winning History

Bringing the best among the best of boxing fighters, lets compare the two big champions with their current status, weight, winning history and knock outs. Who is the best fighter? Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto? Your choice, any comment will be appreciated.

Pacquiao vs Cotto fight is a GO signal this november

Even though contracts have yet to be signed, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have agreed in principle to face each other on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“A (disagreement over) a pound or two will not stop this fight,” Lee Samuels said yesterday as the ace Top Rank publicist was awaiting his flight to the Bay Area from Las Vegas to preside over Nonito Donaire’s public workout in the city of San Carlos, just a 15-minute drive from San Francisco.

Top Rank is confident in sealing the deal that the company’s head — Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum — remains on vacation in Europe and won’t be reporting back to work until next week.

Pacquiao said recently that he will insist that a catchweight of 143 lbs be imposed although Cotto has publicly declared that he cannot go lower than 145 lbs. The welterweight limit is 147 lbs.

“We’ll be able to tweak things out,” said Samuels. “This is the money fight for Pacquiao and Cotto and the things that we are having right now like (stalled) negotiations is just normal.”
Before leaving for Europe for his annual sojourn, Arum handed Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz a proposal for the Nov. 14 fight although it would only be today that the pound-for-pound king will go over the documents.

“(Pacquiao lawyer) Jeng (Gacal) and myself will go over this tomorrow (Sunday),” said Koncz, who was on the Philippine Airlines flight that landed in Manila from Los Angeles last Friday.



Arum is so upbeat of forging a deal that he has informed Team Pacquiao about the promotional tour being lined up just before Pacquiao reports for training camp under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

To maximize the earning potential of the bout on pay-per-view, Arum will bring the boxers on a press tour of key US cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cotto’s territory of San Juan in Puerto Rico and even Mexico City.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/210486/pacquiao-cotto-fight-done-deal

10 reasons why boxing is better than the UFC

My last top 10 list described why, in my view, the UFC is better than boxing. Here are my top 10 reasons why boxing is better than the UFC:

Number 10. The Olympics. It doesn't really matter that mixed martial arts is not an Olympic sport, it's the amateur program to get there. Fighters who make an Olympic team are a big deal. Some of them become successful professionals, some don't. Regardless, the guy at number 9 below would not have been "golden" without the Olympics.

Number 9. Oscar De La Hoya. I know he's number 9 on the other list; however, he was a one-man pay-per-view wrecking crew for this decade and last--years of amazing growth for the UFC. Oscar alone proved that boxing is not dead, dying, or critically injured.

Number 8. The legends. Out of fairness to the UFC, I'm only looking at boxing legends from 1993 through today, which includes Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Felix Trinidad, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Manny Pacquiao, and countless others. Can you name a UFC fighter who has had a similar impact? I can see arguing for Dan Severn, but nobody else. Mark Coleman is in the UFC Hall of Fame and his MMA record is 15 wins, 9 losses. Ken Shamrock is in as well with a 26-11-2 record. Randy Couture? Yeah, he's in with a 16-9 record. A lot to becoming a legend is exposure. UFC guys simply aren't around long enough and don't win enough.

Number 7. "The sweet science." I cringe every time a UFC announcer describes a fighter as having a "boxing background" because I have yet to see any of them display any boxing ability. Can they punch? Sure, in a Ricardo Mayorga sort of way. The better question is can UFC fighters defend against a punch? Sure, in a Ricky Hatton sort of way. Box, wrestle, monkey kung fu, who cares, just show some sweetness.

Number 6. The champions. UFC championships seem to trade hands on a daily basis. Bernard Hopkins was middleweight champion for a decade. His successor, Jermain Taylor, was champion for over two years. The main who took the belts from Taylor, Kelly Pavlik, has been champion since 207. I get it that UFC fighters go to war more often, but that's to be expected in a sport that only has 5 rounds.

Number 5. The history. Joe Louis v Max Schmeling, Sugar Ray Robinson v Jake LaMotta, Evander Holyfield v Riddick Bowe, Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, Thomas Hearns v Sugar Ray Leonard, Gerry Cooney v Larry Holmes, Manny Pacquiao v Juan Manuel Marquez. I think you get my point.

Number 4. Earth. If the sport of boxing depended on the United States for survival, then I would send flowers to its grave site. Thankfully, we have champions and top contenders from all over the globe. By comparison, the UFC is predominately an American sport that has hosted just a handful of events outside of the States.

Number 3. HBO, Showtime, and ESPN. I fully understand that I am critical of them most of the time; however, I recognize the need for all three. HBO's coverage is normally superb with Showtime keeping pace. ESPN's Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas are the best commentators in the business. Argue with any point on my top 10 list, but the three networks destroy the UFC's commentators. Who are they again?

Number 2. The fans. I rate boxing fans higher than UFC fans for one simple reason--most of them inherited the sport. The UFC has not been around long enough to see it pass from one generation to another and, frankly, it may not be.

Number 1. Manny Pacquiao. I rewrote this paragraph more times than I refill my glass of Jack Daniels on a daily basis. Disclaimer: Manny Pacquiao would not be number 1 on my list without Gerry Penalosa--his idol. Disclaimer: Manny Pacquiao would not be number 1 on my list without Freddie Roach. Now that I've given credit where it is due, Manny Pacquiao IS number 1 because he is not only a future hall-of-famer, but he is on the cusp of history. I'm not talking financial history and I'm not talking about PPV buy records. I am talking boxing history, sports history. Above all else, and perhaps because of everything else, the UFC will never have its version of Manny Pacquiao.

The bottom line is that boxing and mixed martial arts are two different sports with very few similarities. To suggest that one is better than the other, as I have done on purpose, misses the point. A boxer can win by knocking his opponent down. A UFC fighter may only be able to win by voluntarily going to the canvas--apples and oranges. Above all else, however, survival equates to money and money equates to fans. Something both sports need to always remember.

Pacquiao over Mayweather in fantasy fight

Pacquiao over Mayweather in fantasy fight. The fight may happen. Then again it may not. Freddie Roach said that Floyd Mayweather wants a 60 / 40 split his way. That will never happen. Roach said his man is the the reason tickets would be sold. Mayweather contends he is the reason tickets will be sold. Experts agree that Pacquiao is in fact the hottest commodity in boxing right now. Either way , Roach says everything is negotiable.

So lets jump to spring of 2010. Mayweather has beat Juan Manuel Marquez and Pacquiao has beat Miguel Cotto. These could be two highly competitive fights. But , for the sake of argument and my article , Mayweather and Pacquiao come out winners. How does the fight shape up? You have two extremely skilled boxers. Both are quick. We have the former and present pound for pound kings facing off. Different styles , different personas and very different trainers. What happens on fight night?

The closest thing Mayweather has faced to an opponent that resembles Pacquiao is a combination of Zab Judah and Jose Luis Castillo. A concoction of Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez is what we need to create a suitable , if thats possible , Mayweather clone.

The counter punching of Marquez gave Pacman trouble. Manny was leary of jumping on Marquez and when he hesitated he lost the round. Morales did basically the same thing. Erik's philosophy was to take ten punches to land two punches.

Mayweather had trouble with Judah. At least for the first four rounds. Judah used his speed to give Mayweather angles. It was effective until Judah had his usual meltdown. His loss of focus turned a good fight into an easy Mayweather victory.

Many thought that Castillo beat Mayweather in their first fight. He did this with constant pressure.  Mayweather likes to be on the ropes and look for openings as his opponent commits to his punches. Castillo took this advantage away by staying close and throwing an assortment of punches.

Roach said De La Hoya won every round against Mayweather when he used his jab. This kept the defensive minded Mayweather in an even more defensive posture. But Mayweather is smart and has a habit of figuring out opponents.

So what happens? Pacquiao's aura of invincibility shows in the first round. He starts strong and immediately attacks Mayweather. Mayweather grins , but you can tell he isn't comfortable. Mayweather's quickness allows him to roll with and away from some punches. Still , Mayweather cannot land any telling blows as Pacquiao's speed is amazing.

Round two also goes to Pacquiao. But , you can see Mayweather becoming a little more offensive minded.

The two split rounds three to six. Pacquiao raises his hands after the two exchange. He is in his element. Whenever there is a lull Mayweather grabs the opportunity to potshot his opponent.

Rounds seven through ten see more of the same. The difference is that Mayweather continues to head hunt while Pacquiao has focused on Mayweather's body. Pacquiao seems to be ahead six rounds to four. Some may even see him ahead seven to three.

Rounds eleven and twelve are usually Floyd's rounds , but the bodyshots have definitely taken their toll. Knowing he probably needs a knockout doesn't matter. Mayweather believes he is ahead and goes defensive again. Round twelve sees Mayweather back on the ropes. He appears hurt from the body attack. Manny attacks like a hungry lion and tries to stop his prey , but Mayweather survives the round.

Manny Pacquiao is announced as the clear cut winner. Manny says the jab and body punching were the key to his victory. The only one in disbelief is Floyd Mayweather. He sprouts off about boxing politics and Larry Merchant ends the interview by saying , "Floyd , you finally lost , get over it".