Last night in Las Vegas, Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao further solidified his status as an all-time great, as he brutalised an incredibly brave Miguel Cotto on the way to a 12th-round TKO victory. Managing to turn a fight that, going in was pretty much deemed close to a 50-50 affair, Pacquiao dominated, busted up, knocked down and eventually TKO'd the gutsy Puerto Rican with just less than a minute gone in the 12th and final round.
In so doing, the amazing Filipino southpaw, who turned pro down at 106-pounds, once again made us talk of him as a modern day Henry Armstrong. In fact, as high praise as it may be, maybe Pacquiao is even better than that. Winning virtually every round last night, the 30-year-old dynamo looked better than ever. Indeed, phenomenal is a word that has to be used when describing the fistic talents of "Pac-Man.."
Blurring and fast, even up at welterweight, a weight where Pacquiao has also retained his crunching punching power, Manny had way too much for the natural 147-pounder (who, of course, had to come in at 145 for the bout). Now the holder of the WBO welterweight crown, Pacquiao also remains firmly positioned atop the pound-for-pound lists.
The fight, as great as Manny's performance was, was tough to watch at times, as the sustained beating Cotto took was fierce. Dropped twice in the earlier rounds, the Puerto Rican favourite took one helluva hammering. Busted up, cut and swollen, the younger man may well have taken so much punishment he will never be the same fighter again. Antonio Margarito punished Cotto, and Pacquiao did even more damage.
Should Cotto, as brave as he was, have been pulled out - say around the 7th or 8th round? I think so. Instead, his corner allowing him to continue, and Cotto soaked up more punches, even though he was largely on the back foot in the last couple of rounds. Cotto deserves immense credit for the courage he showed, but will he ever want to fight again now? Only time will tell.
As for superstar Pacquiao, he will fight again, probably in March. And we all know who we want him to get it on with. But will Floyd Mayweather Junior be able to agree to terms to take the fight - a fight that would be the biggest match-up fought at 147 since the days of Leonard and Hearns. We can only hope so.
As to who would win if the two greats met at welterweight - going by last night's superb performance, Pacquiao would have to be given an excellent chance. Showing he can take a good shot from a welterweight, as he was tagged a number of times by the strong-punching Cotto, Pacquiao was never wobbled or visibly hurt.
Yes, "Money" is a better pure boxer than both Pacquiao and Cotto, but would he be able to hurt or discourage the lethal southpaw? It's too early to talk predictions with regards to "Pac-Man Vs. Money," but fans everywhere will now be calling for this natural of a mega-fight.
Is Manny Pacquiao the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of his generation? There is only one more fighter who needs to be beaten before "Pac-Man" can claim such a distinction.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
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