Photo courtesy: Imontvbitch.com

“Firepower”  just caught everybody’s attention. The thing is, people from all walks of life are getting into it. Last Wednesday, I’ve read from Examiner.com thru Mannypacquiao.ph about what the celebrities have said with regards to the upcoming fight. Here are some….

PHOTO COURTESY: STORMHOEK.COM

Donald Trump (business mogul): “While both fighters possess tremendous punching power and heart, I believe that the speed of Pacquiao will earn him the WBO welterweight belt. If Pacquiao is victorious, Mayweather would be the next fight that I and all fans would want to see.” (scrapetv.com)

PHOTO COURTESY: GETOUTAMARILLO.COM

George Lopez (comedian): “Manny Pacquiao’s nickname is ‘The Mexicutioner.’ He’s beaten more Latinos than the police. Pacquiao. . .unanimous decision.” (LA Times)

PHOTO COURTESY: PICTURES.GI.ZIMBIO.COM

Tyrese Gibson (singer / actor): “”Pacquiao is my guy, we’ve hung out before. He’s the kind of guy you’d want with you if a bar fight broke out, I will be there to support him!” (pr.com)

I know this is an exciting fight and a classic in the making. Having watched Pacquiao’s last two fights in Gaisano Mall Cinema here in Davao City, i’m itching to do the same thing. Among other options I’m also considering are SM City Cinema with friends Jeff and Junjun, in a hotel serving a lunch buffet or simply here at home on live stream video.

I have had some negative feedbacks on watching in a hotel served with lunch. So I might drop that off from my list. With regards to SM City, both Jeff and Junjun have already their tickets. So, the possibility is that we won’t be seated next to each other. Again, I’m dropping that off. So I’m down to two -at Gaisano Mall Cinema or on live streaming here at home?

So, it’s three days to go, two options in one mega fight!

Manny Pacquiao, who has an impressive record of 49-3-2 win-loss-draw record, has scored 37 KOs in his victories. That’s close to 76% in KO percentages. Miguel Angel Cotto, on the other hand, scores an equally impressive 34-1-0 record with 27 KOs, meaning 79% KO percentage.

On fight night, one may ask, who’s corner will throw in the towel first? Who’s corner will come to rescue?

For one, two typhoons have caught him while training in Baguio City. Team Pacquiao resorted to indoor training for a while instead of Manny running around the mountainous city. Furthermore, the in-fighting among the members of his team might have a bearing on his training camp. His conditioning coach Alex Ariza was reportedly having a physical altercation with his adviser Michael Koncz, though Pacquiao refused to comment on the incident. Besides, politicians have lured the ‘Pacman’ to join them in their ranks as election fever has started to go its full swing. And recently, while in the United States, Manny went to attend the rehearsals of his concert scheduled after his fight with Cotto.

In contrast, Miguel Cotto has been preparing this match dubbed as ‘Firepower’ with full concentration. With his former trainer and uncle Evangelista gone from the team, Cotto’s training camp has been doing fairly well without distractions.

With the fight in sight, the issue on the importance of focus might play a vital role. I just hope that Manny can withstand all the distractions surrounding his training camp and emerge victorious come November 14.

Photo Courtesy: Boxylucha.com

On November 14, we will be watching probably the biggest fight of the year. Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will go up against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.  Obviously, we are referring to Miguel Angel Cotto, the current WBO welterweight champion. However, not so many people know that there is another Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico who is also a professional boxer. He is Miguel Angel’s elder brother Jose Miguel.

Photo Courtesy:  Fightnews.com and Promociones Miguel Cotto

Jose Miguel Cotto was born on June 22, 1977 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He represented his native country in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics but was ousted in the first round. On that same year, he turned pro with fights in Puerto Rico and later in the United States.  For most of his career, he has boxed under the shadows of his younger brother Miguel Angel.

Jose Miguel’s professional record is as impressive as his younger brother. As of the moment, he commands a 30-1-1 win-loss-draw record with 22 KOs. His only defeat came from a Unanimous Decision loss to highly regarded Juan Diaz of Houston, Texas back in 2006. A year later, he ended up in a draw with Thai boxer Prawet Singwancha in Salinas, Puerto Rico. One thing that separates him from his younger brother however is the fact that he has never fought a marquee boxer in any weight category other than Juan Diaz. This could be the reason why until now he continues to be under the shadows of Miguel Angel.

On fight night dubbed as ‘Firepower’, expect the elder Miguel Cotto not in the ring, but on the stands cheering for his younger brother.

PHOTO COURTESY: GOOGLE.COM & ALLVOICES.COM

The much anticipated battle between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto overexcites everybody.  Tickets are almost sold out on its first day in the market as reported.  Philboxing.com claimed that all of the 9,000 tickets priced at $150, $350 and $500 were all sold out right on the opening day. Only those priced at $750 and up are available as of the moment but in limited number.

The megafight dubbed as ‘Firepower’ can be this year’s biggest boxing event. I expect a toe-to-toe battle between the two ring gladiators.  Our very own Manny Pacquiao is up against a normally bigger Miguel Cotto.  The pride of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto is to Puerto Rico what Manny Pacquiao is to the Philippines. With this event larger than life, it is not surprising that tickets are selling like hotcakes.