1. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III

Manny Pacquiao has been on a roll since escaping a narrow split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008. Both have given boxing fans their money’s worth in two exciting bouts in 2004 and 2008. And there’s only one reason why I’d like to see this fight happening. I want to see Marquez brutally KOed by Pacquiao to stop his loud mouth from talking.

2. Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik

In 2009, the proposed fight for these two was nearly sealed. In 2010, I hope to see them face to face to determine who’s the real king in the 154-160 weight categories.

3. Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Angel Cotto II

Antonio Margarito hopes to have his license back this year after he was suspended for the ‘loaded gloves’ he had for the Mosley fight last year. Miguel Cotto, on the other hand hopes for redemption after a devastating defeat to Manny Pacquiao last November. The two have a ‘not so good past’ as Margarito pounded Miguel Cotto en route to a 11^th round TKO victory in July 2008. But Margarito’s win has become questionable because of the ‘loaded gloves’ incident. Now, I’d like to see if Margarito can do the same thing in a level playing field.

4. Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight talks has been around for almost a decade. I think it’s time to make it a reality. Mosley says that it’s Mayweather who doesn’t want to fight him. Mayweather says otherwise. Now, I want to see their fists do the talking in the ring. I would rather see a Mosley-Mayweather clash than Pacquiao taking on Mayweather. It’s because a Mayweather fight for Pacquiao might be too risky for the phenomenal Filipino.

5. Carl Froch vs. Bernard Hopkins

The first time I saw Bernard Hopkins in the ring was when he fought Felix Trinidad of Puerto Rico. At that time, I was a die hard Trinidad fan because of his boxing skills and ring generalship. To my dismay, Hopkins gave Trinidad a brutal beating. Since then, I have been rooting for every opponent Hopkins is facing. I think Carl Froch has more than enough to knock Hopkins out.

Photo Courtesy: Boxnews.com.ua

As what I’ve promised last July, I am going to share my own picks for the best fights for the second half of the year. Unfortunately however, second half of 2009 did not have much exciting bouts like the first six months. I could only cite three electrifying battles that I could retain in my memory lane. Like my previous post, I’ll do it chronologically.

1. Chris John vs. Rocky Juarez (September 19)

This was supposed to be a supporting bout to the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Floyd Mayweather main event but it turned out to be the most exciting fight of the night. In the fight, Chris John of Indonesia was clearly ahead on the early rounds until he appeared to be fading in the later rounds. In fact, he was nearly knocked down in the last round.  John escaped with a Unanimous Decision though.

2. David Haye vs. Nikolay Valuev (November 7)

Briton David Haye is 6-foot-3 while the Russian Nikolay Valuev is a 7-footer. With that, this fight really made sense. Seldom you see in boxing two gigantic figures square off the ring. Nikolay Valuev is one among the most feared boxers because of his size. David Haye, however, displayed not just his heart but also skills and ring generalship to outpoint via Majority Decision Nikolay Valuev. Haye, in turn, became just the second boxer after Ruslan Chagaev to defeat Valuev in 52 fights.

3. Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Angel Cotto (November 14)

I witnessed how history unfolded. This was Pacquiao’s 55^th career fight as he ascended to the 147 division throne – the seventh division he conquered. As expected, Pacquiao and Cotto went toe-to-toe in the early going but Cotto could not bear the punishment Pacquiao inflicted. Cotto was knocked down in round 3 and in round 4. The fight was practically over halfway but Cotto’s big heart pushed him until the 12^th round when Referee Kenny Bayless finally put an end to Cotto’s agony. Manny Pacquiao is simply the best in this era.

So, this is it! 2009 has become a year that was. Most likely, I share the same thoughts as you when it comes to fights we want to see in 2010. Happy new year everyone!

Cotto displays his counterpunching skills

Both fighters exchange furious blows

Each one connects his own

Cotto knocked down in the 4^th; His second

The referee takes a close look at the exchanges

Pacquiao with his exceptional foot and hand speed

Pacquiao connects to Cotto’s  head

Manny continues to punish the Puerto Rican

Manny in between rounds

Miguel Cotto fights for survival

Referee Kenny Bayless finally puts an end to Cotto’s agony

Assistant Trainer Buboy Fernandez about to carry the new welterweight champion

Defeated but unbowed

Manny gets a victory ride

]]> http://benjsports.com/boxing/pacquiao-cotto-fight-photos/feed/ 0 http://benjsports.com/boxing/pacquiao-vs-cotto-a-fight-to-remember/ http://benjsports.com/boxing/pacquiao-vs-cotto-a-fight-to-remember/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:03:28 +0000 Benjie http://benjsports.com/?p=812

Photo Courtesy: AP and Boxnews.com.ua

There have been a handful of great boxing matches so far this year. These include Shane Mosley-Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez – Juan Diaz, Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton to name a few. But this coming weekend’s bout featuring Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is extra special for boxing and for both Philippines and Puerto Rico.

For one, Manny Pacquiao quests for his record setting 7^th title in as many divisions that would cement his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time. Secondly, Miguel Angel Cotto wants a piece of history too as he would like to put an end to Pacquiao’s string of victories. Besides, Cotto has something to prove that all is well after his brutal defeat to Antonio Margarito last year. And on top of it all, it’s the pride and glory of the Philippines and Puerto Rico that rest on the shoulders of Pacquiao and Cotto that make this match, a fight to remember.

As a diehard Manny Pacquiao fan, I’m a bit worried with his, should I say ‘hectic’ schedule for that night. His fight with the Puerto Rican boxing hero would probably the toughest in his illustrious career. By winning a crown in his 7th weight division on Saturday night will make Pacquiao arguably the greatest boxer of all time. But he will never be a great singer no matter what. Now, where are those Pacquiao advisers?  Why engage in a “‘second”  show that same night? It doesn’t make sense after all.

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: Boxnews.com.ua

As the Pacquiao – Cotto megafight in Las Vegas, Nevada approaches, many boxing gurus express their views regarding this duel. At one time, Nacho Beristain, the legendary trainer who has worked on the opposite corner of Pacquiao for three fights, said that the “Pacman” will prevail over the Puerto Rican boxing hero.

One thing that Beristain pointed out would be the edge of Manny Pacquiao is the horror that still hounds Miguel Angel Cotto of his brutal loss to Antonio Margarito of Mexico back in July 26, 2008. I’m one of those who share the same belief with the legendary trainer.

Photo Courtesy: Boxnews.com.ua

Prior to Cotto’s fight against Margarito, I was so impressed with the former as he commanded a 32-0-0 record with 26 KOs. In fact, I was rooting for him in his fight against the “Tijuana Tornado”. He was already looking forward to share the same status with the likes of Wilfred Benitez, Hector Camacho, Felix Trinidad and other great Puerto Rican boxers. On fight night, however, Cotto could not withstand the relentless pressure of Margarito in the later rounds. Cotto was clearly ahead on points in the early going but lost steam towards the end that led to his devastating TKO defeat in the 11^th round. It was one of the most brutal fights I ever watched with Cotto on the losing end.

With that, I think Margarito took something out Cotto that until now the horror of that devastating defeat still hounds Miguel Angel.