Breaking down each fight, I think Manny could take Joshua’s best blows same as he did against Miguel Cotto. And Pacquiao’s speed, footwork and ring generalship will be too much for Clottey to handle. The only question that makes sense is if Pacquiao can knock Clottey out.

Meanwhile, the Mosley – Mayweather fight has long been overdue. As what I’ve mentioned in my previous post dated January 10 that this bout is a decade long in the making. At least, finally it becomes a reality.  In this fight, I pick Mosley to win over Mayweather in a Split Decision or a Majority Decision fashion. Mosley can equalize the speed of Mayweather  but Mayweather can not match Mosley’s power.

It’s still February but I bet that the best fight that we’ll most likely see is the Pacquiao vs. Mosley and not Pacquiao vs. Mayweather.  Manny – Floyd megashowdown may not happen at all

Photo Courtesy: Boxnews.com.ua

I am concerned with the mental state of Juan Manuel Marquez after reading the reports yesterday about a proposed third bout with Manny Pacquiao. As reported, Marquez would agree to take on Pacquiao on two conditions: Olympic-style drug testing and a 50-50 Purse split. Whew! What do you think?

Well, Marquez has already been into 56 fights in 16 years. Maybe, boxing has taken its toll on him especially on the mental aspect. Head trainer Nacho Beristain should take notice about the condition of his prized fighter after making unbelievable demands. Again, Marquez will take on Pacquiao if Olympic-style drug testing will  be used and a 50-50 purse split! To refresh our memory, let’s take a look at their routes after their second encounter last March 2008. Pacquiao took David Diaz to the canvass in the 9^th round in June 2008, retired the legendary Oscar dela Hoya on his stool on December of the same year. As if it was not enough, Manny sent Ricky Hatton to the dreamland in two rounds and brutally defeated Miguel Cotto in 2009. That’s four straight victories, all in convincing manners.

JMM, on the other hand, took on the old Joel Casamayor in September 2008 and the over rated Juan Diaz in February 2009. He scored KOs in those two fights. Come September 2009, he was turned upside down by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. all the way to an embarrassing defeat. In fact he never won even a single round against the loud mouth Floyd Jr. in all the Judges’ scorecards.

Ok, let’s rate it. Pacquiao went 4-0, all by way of KOs and Marquez 2-1, including his last fight which was an embarrassing loss. Now, there must be something wrong with JMM.

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/boxing%e2%80%99s-best/ http://benjsports.com/boxing/boxing%e2%80%99s-best/#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:22:49 +0000 Benjie http://benjsports.com/?p=880

Photo Courtesy: Boxnews.com.ua

Wheeew! ……….  The excitement is over. All those questions are already answered. No question, Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s best. The fighting pride of the Philippines outclassed the champion from  Puerto Rico in a stunning fashion.

In my previous post ‘Who’s corner will come to rescue?’ dated November 6, I wrote that i had a feeling that the fight would not last the distance. That the only thing I did not know was who between the two would go down kissing the canvass. I based my prediction based on their records prior to the bout as well as their fighting  styles. As they say, styles make fights. Both Pacquiao and Cotto like to come forward and engage in exchanges of furious blows.

In the end, the smarter fighter in Manny Pacquiao emerged victorious. Now, is there any doubt who is boxing’s best?

Photo Courtesy: Boxnews.com.ua

Miguel Cotto repeatedly said that all is well now after his brutal loss to Antonio Margarito last year. As they say, there’s always a first time for everything. It was the first time that Miguel Cotto lost and got knocked out in his pro career.

While the biggest fight of his life is just a few ticks away, there have been a lot of rumors and all these talk that Cotto is still hounded by the not so distant past. Freddie Roach publicly cited that it’s really difficult to get over that first loss and first knock out. It’s a tough pill to swallow, he added.

In contrast, Joe Santiago, Cotto’s trainer, insisted that Miguel Cotto’s past two performances against Michael Jennings and Joshua Clottey are indications that his prized ward has totally recovered from it.

On fight night, we will all know the answers of these careless whispers.

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?

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.

Photo Courtesy: Bing.com

Here’s the part II of my previous post Boxing’s 1^st half highlights…

4. Gerry Peñalosa vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (April 25)

It’s a fight I wouldn’t like to watch again. CompuBox had it all.  Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lopez landed 444 out of 1020 total punches thrown thru Round 9 compared to the ‘Fearless’ Gerry Peñalosa’s 99 out of 392. Obviously, Coach Freddie didn’t want Gerry to take on more punishment that’s why he called it a halt at the beginning of Round 10.

5. Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton (May 2)

I know everybody watched this one. Should I say I was shortchanged watching this fight? I think not at all. After driving for an hour to go to Gaisano Mall Cinema with my brother , we watched a fight of less than six minutes! Nonetheless, it was all about fun, excitement and everything I could have wished for.  Manny Pacquiao, once again, proved why he is called ‘pound for pound’ king as he finished off Ricky Hatton in 2.

6. Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey (June 13)

Cotto vs. Clottey fight ended in a controversial split decision. It was a close one and it could have gone either way. I must confess that I am a Miguel Cotto fan but that victory was far from being conclusive in his favor.

I hope the second half of the year will bring us more exciting fights to watch and fewer controversies in boxing. By the end of the year I’ll be doing my Boxing’s 2^nd half highlights….