Manny Trounces Cotto; Is Mayweather Next?

Las Vegas, Nevada – Living legend Manny Pacquiao continued his meteoric ascension into boxing history with a thorough annihilation of WBO Welterweight titlist, Miguel Cotto, in the MGM Grand Arena Saturday night.

Appearing undersized and even out-muscled in the early going, the Filipino south-paw dropped the champion in both the third and forth rounds before systematically demolishing the Puerto Rican superstar, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to call a halt to the bout in first minute of the twelfth and final round.

Though legions of Cotto supporters in attendance voiced their displeasure at what could be considered an arbitrary and early stoppage, the crimsoned and swollen face of an utterly defeated Cotto seemed only to lend credence to Bayless’ decision. During the explosive early rounds both men traded shots with reckless abandon, producing what will likely be viewed as some of the best rounds of the year. However, after Pacquiao floored Cotto for second time, the fight’s tempo changed with Cotto attempting to retreat and survive in manner reminiscent of his losing effort against Antonio Margarito while the challenger stalked his wounded prey in search of a knockout.

With this victory the reigning RING Junior Welterweight World Champion claimed a title in a record seventh weight class, but more importantly solidified his status as the best fighter pound-for-pound in the world, subsequently creating greater speculation regarding his ever-improving station among the sport’s all-time elite. Though Pacquiao’s landmark victory will assuredly guarantee larger paydays and greater opponents in the near future, Miguel Cotto’s valiant-but-losing effort did little to diminish the considerable respect that his willingness to engage in exciting exchanges has garnered him throughout his career. Now faced with the burden of assessing a stellar career punctuated with a second brutal defeat, Cotto’s future in the sport seems less lucrative for the moment; however Miguel’s game effort against the legendary Pacquiao should ensure a steady stream of offers to face other such action-minded opponents with an ever-willing HBO ready to provide the funding to ensure such opportunities come to fruition.

Is “Money” Up Next for Pac Man?

While at the post-fight press conference a victorious Manny Pacquiao jokingly plugged his celebratory concert performance at the Mandalay Bay, the bandaged crooner’s impending set list drew little interest in comparison to the prospect of Floyd Mayweather becoming his next opponent.

Before his sudden and short-lived retirement from the sport in late 2008, the undefeated Mayweather was considered the best fighter on the planet. Since then Manny Pacquiao has not only beaten, but emphatically stopped Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and now, Miguel Cotto, propelling him past “Pretty Boy Floyd” in the mind of many as boxing’s ultimate participant.

A Pacquiao bout with Mayweather would be compelling on many levels. Not only is Floyd generally regarded as the second best fighter in the game, his skill level, speed and impenetrable defensive style would prove vastly more difficult than those of De La Hoya, Hatton or Cotto for Pacquiao, possibly making Mayweather the early betting favorite. Furthermore, the potential money split between the two fighters could rival, if not shatter, previous figures taken home for a single night’s work in the ring. The likelihood of record setting pay-per-view buys and the lure of greatness attached to a victory over either man seem only to clinch the validity of both parties finding a way to make the bout happen in 2010.

While both Pacquiao’s and Mayweather’s promoters have expressed immediate interest in making the bout, the usual hurdles of boxing politics and money-hungry egos have yet to be cleared, rendering this impending super bout a mere wish on millions of boxing fan’s lists this Christmas. In an era where boxing’s every success is measured against the considerable attention commandeered by the UFC/MMA, there is no reason why the Sweet Science shouldn’t see its two best fighters of the last decade square off. Or in the in sage the words of the always candid Floyd “Money” Mayweather, “if it makes dollars, it makes sense.” Indeed it does.

Posted by chaz