Manny Pacquiao TKO Win Over Miguel Cotto / Image: Zuma Press

Cotto managed to win the first round or two, depending on how you looked at the fight. I would say he definitely won the first round. He looked confident and seemed to be living up to the billing that he was the bigger, stronger fighter. But that was as close as he got to success in this fight. It was a war for the first 4-5 rounds (and Pacman has the scars to prove that), but Cotto was knocked down in rounds three and four and never really got the brief mojo he experienced early back again. I do give him credit for continuing to fight and for not giving up as the wheels began to fall off. But throwing in the towel by the 9th round would’ve been the thing to do as he was no longer competitive with Pacman. In fact, things looked so bleak that Cotto’s wife and son had to leave the arena because they were so distraught. Cotto was a bloody mess from the pummeling he was taking.

Pacman continued his dominance in a sport where he is widely considered to be the pound-for-pound best. He just wore Cotto down and broke his will to survive. Pacman is relentless like that, attacking and punishing his opponent into submission with furious speed and energy. He sliced and diced Cotto’s face until there was nothing left for Cotto to do but try to cover himself and protect his badly swollen right eye. It was almost uncomfortable to watch as the fight progressed. And as Pacman has become more comfortable with his added weight, he almost appears faster than ever. It’s frightening.

This now brings us back to the conversation of a potential Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. brawl. It’s clearly the fight boxing fans want to see, but how it happens or if it happens remains to be seen. If the fight takes place—and I believe that it will—I think it has chance to be one of, if not the best, boxing match-up of all-time. There was a time when I would pick Floyd Mayweather over any other boxer in his weight class. But I’m forced to seriously rethink that after watching Manny Pacquiao dispose of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in his last three fights.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Manny Pacquiao TKO Win Over Miguel Cotto

There are unanswered questions for both fighters. Miguel has only lost once. That was a little over a year ago when Antonio Margarito beat him in what would eventually be looked at as a controversial outcome. Why? Well, Margarito would later beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley with illegal, hardened inserts in his hand-wraps. Makes you wonder if he wasn’t similarly outfitted when he beat Miguel. So, I’m wondering how good Miguel really is. Should he be currently undefeated? And even so, is he past his prime? He will be making a huge statement with a win over Manny Pacquiao.

As for Manny, I wonder if he’ll be able to take the punches from a bigger, arguably tougher fighter? Sure, he is quick and fierce. He’s like lightning in a bottle. But can he withstand the power of Miguel Cotto? Of course, if you look at the way Manny destroyed Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds, I don’t doubt he’ll be ready to knock Miguel out and prepare for what would be one of the most anticipated fights of all-time—Pacquiao vs. Mayweather—next year. Until then, I’m going to enjoy this one. It should be a great fight.

Source: HBO.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Countdown to Pacquiao-Cotto Begins Tonight

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton / Photo: Newscom

There is little doubt that Manny is the pound-for-pound champion at this point. But what about all-time? Manny has compiled a 49-3-2 record in six different weight classes. Yes, six different weight classes. But under the tutelage of legendary trainer Freddie Roach, he has become quite possibly the most feared fighter in boxing today. Translation: he’s getting better with each fight.

I had little doubt that Manny would win this fight. Even with all the bravado of Ricky and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. leading up to the main event on HBO’s 24/7 series, I felt Manny was the faster, more technical fighter. But even Manny was surprised with the ease in which he disposed of his opponent:

“I’m surprised this fight was so easy but I did work hard since the beginning of March in training camp. Nothing personal. I am just doing my job, but this is as big a victory for me as when I beat Oscar De La Hoya.”

All the talk about Ricky being a bigger, stronger man — c’mon. He was a shade taller and a few pounds heavier. I did not, however, predict a second-round knockout for Manny. I thought Ricky had enough to possibly go the distance with him. After three months of training (to Manny’s two months), Ricky barely showed up for this fight.

Manny’s win sets up what I feel is an inevitable matchup with undefeated and unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what could be one of the best fights of all-time. Sure, Floyd needs to get past Juan Manuel Marquez (July 18) in his first bout since “retirement.” And that could be a heck of a fight in it’s own right. But Pacquiao/Mayweather Jr. is what every boxing fan wants to see.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Manny Pacquiao Knocks Out Ricky Hatton

http://www.filipinasoul.com/open-mic-this-weekend-the-pacquiao-de-la-hoya-dream-match/

Post from: EveryJoe

Catch Live Coverage Of Oscar De La Hoya Vs. Manny Pacquiao At Filipina Soul Tonight

Imagine you are Antonio Margarito. Your impressive July beat down of Miguel Cotto was a rousing success both in pulling pay-per-view buys and in garnering media attention. Casual sports fans have started recognizing your name and maybe even your face.

The sky is the limit. Right? Well, not so much. There are so few people out there for you to fight for your deserved huge payday. Shane Mosley? Yawn, that guy never caught the public’s eye. Paul Williams? Nobody knows him and maybe he’s a little too dangerous. Zab Judah? I’d have a good time at least. Ricky Hatton? Um, maybe? Manny Pacquiao? Not for a while, but maybe. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.? He ain’t coming out of retirement for me. He’s scared of the Tijuana Tornado.

No, the guy I really want is Oscar De La Hoya and he says he’s done on December 6th. You then continue your daily morning routine, open your computer and check your boxing RSS feeds. Lo and behold there’s a new article from Dan Rafael about the Golden Boy.

Its headline is intriguing enough, “De La Hoya shies away from retirement talk.” You start to get really excited. Does he want to fight me? Please Oscar, please. I could retire after the money made from that fight. You scan down the page. Still no mention. But wait. Here it is:

“My dream is to fight at Estadio Azteca,” De La Hoya said at the news conference. “I want a big farewell fight to leave a lasting impression all over the world with a huge event…fighting there would be a dream come true, and that’s why I don’t rule out the possibility of having another fight next year.”

“Oh my heavens,” your inner Antonio must be thinking, “he must be talking about me! Who else would he fight at the Azteca? It ain’t gonna be Sergio Mora or Ricky Hatton I guarantee you that! I need to start training right now. It doesn’t matter if he wins or loses to Manny; everyone in Mexico will want to see that fight. I’ll be avenging my hero Julio Cesar Chavez. I can’t wait.”

Neither can we Antonio, neither can we.

Post from: EveryJoe

De La Hoya Not Set on Retirement; Magarito Ecstatic

The wooing is over, the coy glances have stopped, the contractual bickering has been worked out and the most anticipated fight since Larry Merchant suggested it to ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael in October 2007 is on!

That same Dan Rafael reports that at a 2:00 p.m. press conference today Oscar De La Hoya will his December 6, 2008 opponent in what he claims will be his last fight. That adversary is expected to be the popular pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

There are so many stories, plots, and intrigues with this super fight. Most pressing to me is: will Larry Merchant get to work the HBO PPV fight he imagined or will the slick Gen X media starlet Max Kellerman get the nod?

OK, that’s not really our first thought. The basic string of early questions? What weight will the fight be fought at? Is it really going to be at welterweight? Will the Filipino have enough power in this incredible step up in weight class? Will Manny’s speed be too much for Oscar? Will Oscar’s power be too much for Manny? Did Oscar get his 70-30 pay split? Is this really going to be Oscar’s last fight. Where will a win by either fighter put them in boxing’s pantheon?

The basic point is that at this early stage De La Hoya – Pacquiao ranks a megafight. It’s one that has me looking forward to December, will mark and end to another terrific year of boxing, and might stand as a touchstone in a new classic era of pugilism

Post from: EveryJoe

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao is On!

Tonight Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2), arguably the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, is stepping up a weight class to fight Ring Magazine’s #3 ranked lightweight David Diaz (34-4-1). It should be a great action fight and a lot of fun. The undercard features the great junior lightweight Humberto Soto (Ring’s #4; 44-6-2) who faces Francisco Lorenzo (32-4) and the skilled featherweight Steven Luevano (Ring’s #3, 35-1) who faces Mario Santiago (19-1).

Tomorrow the WWE Night of Champions is sure to see either a change in the WWE Heavyweight Title or the WWE Championship. Truthfully though the only match I’m interested in is the climax to the Batista vs. La Familia saga: Edge vs. The Animal. I’m really not too thrilled about John Cena vs. HHH (again), whichever lumbering big men are fighting and, c’mon, Miz and Morrison vs. Finlay and Hornswaggle(!).

If I had won Vince McMahon’s Million Dollar Giveaway I would be buying both events. But I didn’t and I’m buying neither.

If I were choosing between the two I’d buy the Pacquiao fight but then I’d be giving up three hours of my Saturday night to watch an event not broadcasted (at least via Comcast Harrisburg, Pa.) in high definition. That ain’t gonna happen.

I may find a way to watch these events but until then I got the Pay-Per-View blues.

Post from: EveryJoe

I Got the Pay-Per-View Blues

Although there will be no live television coverage the week also is the 2008 International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Canastota, New York. I’ve never been to an induction weekend but I’ll talk later in the week about my 2003 trip to the Hall of Fame.

This week’s action begins tonight with ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights headlined by a 10-round light heavyweight bout pitting Philadelphia’s Yusef Mack (24-2-2) against Brooklyn’s Daniel Judah (22-2-3). This is a must win fight for the once-promising Mack who is moving up from super middleweight to face the former cruiserweight Judah.

Mack is looking to rebound from his 7th round TKO against Mexican Librado Andrade, a fight that took place on nine months ago on the undercard of Pacquiao-Barrera. Judah is returning to his customary 175 lbs. after an unconvincing foray against lightly regarding cruiserweights.

Zab’s southpaw brother’s most notable accomplishments are two draws. One against Glen Johnson the other against the greatly missed Julian Letterlough, the boxing pride of my hometown of Harrisburg, Pa. Judah will be buoyed by the presumably partisan crowd at Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports Arena and that could be enough to make this fight interesting.

Below is a Kristal Hart Show preview of the event:

Post from: EveryJoe

Wednesday Night Fights Preview