Pacquiao-Cotto: Boxing’s Super Bowl
November 11th, 2009
By Kevin Pasquale: Watch Manny Pacquiao as he straps on his skin-tight red suit, flying across the sound-stage, filming his upcoming movie in his homeland, portraying the ultra-mighty superhero.
Watch the photogenic, ever-smiling Pacquiao strut onto Jay Leno’s stage, to be interviewed by the host, the audience laughing at his every remark…
His smile is infectious, his personality is warm, and it’s damn hard not to like him. Even as his frustrated trainer, Freddie Roach, reprimands Manny for his out of the ring endeavors, Manny smiles it off, steps into the ring, amazes and astounds with his raw explosiveness and speed, and all is forgiven.
He has compiled a recent threesome of fights that have propelled him from a top P4P contender, to 2009’s Golden Boy. He Is the face and glamour of boxing right now, the equivalent of a rockstar
at the peak of his popularity. And, for good reason. His explosive, fast, dynamic style is unique in the sport, and every time he steps into the ring, we, the viewing public, are promised a show.
On the other side of the ring, or fence, is the sullen, seemingly emotionless, serious, Miguel Cotto. No glittering lights, tv shows, movies, just the panoramic body art, and the quiet, dogged devotion to his craft. As HBO’s 24/7 series documents, Miguel conducts himself quietly, and for the most part, unspectacularly. His serious and/or intimidating facial expressions bely a very kind, classy person, who has long been a dominant champion, the Margarito debacle aside. (It must be mentioned that PacMan has lost 2 of his fights by KO, but those were long ago.)
There have been more predictions and opinions on this clash than I can count. So now, as millions across the world debate on who will win this potentially fantastic fight, the time has come for all of us to shut up, and let the fighters fight. I did predict that Margarito would KO Cotto, but had NO idea he MAY have had bricks packed in his gloves during that fight. Then came Clottey, and say what you want, but Cotto fought hard against a strong and destructive fighter, and prevailed, albeit narrowly, and without much spectacular action, though he did send Clottey to the canvas with a short left jab in the 2nd round. The Margarito ghosts had officially disappeared. And, PacMan came out tornado-style, and obliterated Oscar and Ricky much like Popeye has walloped Brutus in their epic battles.
Some say Manny is too small, some say Cotto is too slow. Some say Manny is too quick, some say Cotto is too strong. What makes a blockbuster fight? The kind that can generate 1-2 million PPV buys, without either DeLa Hoya or Mayweather on the fight card? A fight with so many questions, and no clear answers, but so much promise. This fight.
I think Cotto will prevail, but anything can happen. And I’ll bet my bottom dollar that anything and everything WILL happen on November 14th. These 2 guys won’t have it any other way.
Tags: 39 Responses to “Pacquiao-Cotto: Boxing’s Super Bowl”
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good article, but the biggest superbowl fight will be the pacman vs moneymay ever in boxing history.
marquez tried to get in the way, there is no way pacman will let cotto ruin that date with floyd for the biggest payday in boxing history.
so cotto going down inside less than five rounds.
there will be blood.
lots of it……………ringside seats beware!
I have to say I hope cotto wins but I recently gained so much respect for manny he’s finally made people respect boxing again I hope when he loses he does get a chance at mayweather and watever happens he can rematch cotto hell I wouldn’t mind some crazy trilogy I repect cotto for everything he does the only guy that has never hand picked an opponent or duck anyone the only thing idont like is the catch weight and how his belt is on the line seems wrong to me cotto has a hell of alot to lose no belt plus he’s still dangerous too risky for anyone. And good article but one correction clottey went down in round one his first time in his career off a jab. COTTO!!!!!!!!!
some of u on this website(mainly the writers) are freaking out about the weight manny has to put on for this fight. please chill, its only a few pounds here or there. u wud think its a flyweight moving up to middleweight by the way ur all going on like
quality writing kevin, im going with cotto myself.
Im sure pacquiao will win!Ü
coz we filipino’s has a natural amulet in blood!
go pinoy! go manny!Ü
a year and a half ago this fight would not have been considered. A jr LW against a WW champ. Based on this you cant give Pac much of a chance. But a lot has happened in 18 months. If Pac pulls this off everyone should be amazed.
nice read-I am looking forward to seeing what MP has at this weight. Cotto will be one of the most skilled fighters that MP has faced, add to that the size and strength of Cotto and it is easy to see this as his hardest bout to date. I would like to wish both men well and I hope we see a great fight. I also hope that both men are as healthy after this fight as they were before before it. Good Day.
This should be a great fight. I would not want to be pac Man on fight night. Cotto looks like a man on a mission.
BTW, if you are really RA The Rugged Man, posting here, my hats off to you. Mayweather deserved the tongue lashing he got.
Awesome article! I read an article that compared this fight to Ali and Frazier 3,where they hope that the fight ends quick for fear of both fighters really getting hurt. There is no quiting on those two guys. I hope this fight will be EPIC! I hope It Goes all twelve Rounds, back and forth. May the one with the biggest heart win…
no doubt manny is going to win,pacman is to quick than cotto,pacman speed gives cotto trouble.
yeah Can’t wait for the fight
Go Manny!
Good article should be great with cotto blastin out manny by the 10th at the lattest.
I havnt been this excited about a fight since mayweather hatton. Im a big cotto fan particularly so i think and hope he can do it. But if manny wins then definatly u have to say he is one of the best ever
manuel perez, u r an angry man. go get help essay
For reasons I’d said before, speed,stamina,ability,heart,better trainer/corner,….I think Paqciao will be the winner on points or by KO. But anything can happend in the ring. Just hope their bgoth at the top of their abilities so thier is no excuse to who ever losses on the nov. 14,………And if it does go to the judges cards…..to have a “FAIR” decision!!!!
great article! My bulb is creaming up for this fight, cant wait. Really dont know who is going to win. xxxx
… but not all Flips believe Pac can beat Cotto. I, for one, think that Pac will kiss the canvas before 8. Possibly much earlier. I must say though, that I am sad thinking so.
This article is obviously from a Pac fanatic.
Boxers themselves don’t believe Pac can beat Cotto. Here are the trainers & boxers who favor Cotto : Angelo Dundee, Emmanuel Steward, Shane
Mosely, Oscar DeLaHoya, Mayweather Sr., Jr. & Roger, Felix Trinidad Jr.&Sr., Julio Chavez, Jr, Stewart and the lists goes on and on.
Those who said Pac can win are his trainer, his buddies in wild card gym and adoring filo fans, LOL!
According to Arum, Fil-americans bet Manny so much which overwhelms the tiny Puerto Rican fans. That’s why the betting odds favors Pac. LOL.
Never seen a good fight in years when boxers are both gentlemen at their own right. My money is for Manny but I do respect Cotto for being a great fighter. I hope many fighters will try to become like them, people who lets their performance inside the ring do the talking.
Good luck to both fighters. Hope everyone’s happy come the 14th.
Go Manny! =p
two words… body shots. cotto wins ko. inless the fight ends by cut.
nice article. it generates sense of respect for both fighters. who ever wins this fight, the fans still are the sure winners. i go for manny but i have a lot of respect for cotto. looking forward to witness this fight. go manny!
great article! i cant wait for this fight! i too predict a cotto win but with lots of fireworks.
Both boxers are humble. You rarely see both on a boxing match like this. Who ever wins the fight, I give credit to the winner and no excuses to the loser. Let us all enjoy this fight and may the best well deserved and prepared man win.
NOVEMBER 14th.. WITNESS IMMORTALITY!!!!!
Both are my favorite fighters,I believe is is going to be a interesting fight,but at the end I believe that being Cotto the bigger and stronger fighter it will win by a ko.Cotto have to start the fight very aggressive attacking Manny’s body and putting constant pressure but beign cautious because Manny have show that it has good punching power.Manny to win have to attack Cotto and used alot of lateral movements used the jab and the uppercut because after analizing Cottos different fights he is very vulnerable to the uppercuts.
its gonna be a great fight
refreshing to read a good unbiased article like this, thanks
nice article… everything was considered… but the sense that everything is measured not by strength alone but also by strategy. pacman maybe fast but come to think of it when cotto blows a good one, will speed matter??? cotto might be quite and strong, but will it matter if pacman develops or find a good strategy??? anything can happen so good luck to both fighters… mabuhay ang lahat…
I really hope Manny will win, because boxing will be boring for me if he loses. Manny Pacquiao is like Micheal Jordan on boxing. Always exciting to watch.
this single article has made me decide to start writing on here again.
it seems there is a shining light of sense somewhere out there after all.
great article, impartial and considered. thank you.
well done. what ever the result of this fight? i will not be bitter cuz i know both are good champions.we should consider our self lucky to witness such event. this fight reminds me of leonard vs hagler and im goimg for pacman to win on points.
Good Article, I also think Cotto will win this fight, My respect to pac but cotto is not morales, marquez or hatton, Cotto is the top welter right now and even younger than pac, Regardless of speed, power, strenght, ect.. I think cotto is just a better fighter. we all see nov14.
Superb article. Though I go for Manny on this fight, anything CAN and MAY happen. Cotto may disappoint the million PACMAN fans, or Pacquiao may come out with flying colors.
All of us have the right to speak out our preferences, but come FIGHT NIGHT, it is both Manny & Cotto’s hands who will be doing the talking.
Good luck to both!
It seems the least likely superfight for years that can possibly turn out not to live up to expectations. Hagler Hearns, Ali Foreman, Trinidad De la Hoya, Lewis Tyson, Barerra Morales, Castillo Corrales, Cotto Pacquiao. Got to be.
FINALLY SOMEONE RIGHTS A GOOD ARTICLE ON THIS FIGHT,UNLIKE PEREZ THE BUM.THIS GONNA BE A GREAT FIGHT BUT I THINK THE PACMAN WILL PREVAIL.IT CAN DEFINITLEY GO EITHER WAY BUT THE PACMAN IS GETTING BETTER FIGHT AFTER FIGHT AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS ONE.
what a great article. i am hoping Cotto wins, but what a fight it will be… if Manny wins i will not be as disappointed, he is a great boxer as well as a great kind hearted guy. best of luck and may the guy with the best strategy win
good article but my money is on manny to win on points
great article.Its gonna be a great fight