Two of boxing's brightest stars clash
Ken Woods
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Sports
The most anticipated fight in boxing this year will pit the pound-for-pound best Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto against one another tomorrow.
These are two of the brightest stars boxing has to offer, and the bout will take place at a catch weight of 145 pounds for Cotto's belt.
Both fighters are coming off victories; however, they are in much different fashions. Cotto's (34-1, 27 KOs) last bout was a split decision win over Joshua Clottey. He did not impress but showed courage and heart as he lasted nine rounds with a severe cut over his eye and still managed to outpoint the tough fighter.
In Pacquiao's (49-3-2, 37 KOs) last bout he utterly destroyed an overmatched Ricky Hatton with a second round knockout. The Philippine superhero has made a name for himself in the welterweight division after dominating the lighter weight classes.
Both fighters come into this bout with a lot to prove. For Cotto he has to prove he deserves to be mentioned with the elites in this sport, and he also has to prove that he is not damaged goods since his brutal TKO loss to Antonio Margarito. That loss is controversial as Margarito has since been accused of putting foreign substances in his hand wraps.
Pacquiao must prove that he is indeed the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. He also has to prove that he can hang with one of the best welterweights. Oscar De La Hoya was a drained fighter when Pacquiao beat him and Hatton was on the verge of declining. Cotto will prove to be a different challenge.
Cotto's dilemma
Many sports writers have made the claim that Cotto is not the same fighter since his first professional loss to Margarito. However, Cotto's main issue is not whether he is mentally ready, but how can his corner manage his cuts?
In his last two bouts, Cotto has been cut badly one by an accidental head butt and one from the continuous onslaught of punches he was taking. His cutman in the corner needs to keep his fighter clean.
These are two of the brightest stars boxing has to offer, and the bout will take place at a catch weight of 145 pounds for Cotto's belt.
Both fighters are coming off victories; however, they are in much different fashions. Cotto's (34-1, 27 KOs) last bout was a split decision win over Joshua Clottey. He did not impress but showed courage and heart as he lasted nine rounds with a severe cut over his eye and still managed to outpoint the tough fighter.
In Pacquiao's (49-3-2, 37 KOs) last bout he utterly destroyed an overmatched Ricky Hatton with a second round knockout. The Philippine superhero has made a name for himself in the welterweight division after dominating the lighter weight classes.
Both fighters come into this bout with a lot to prove. For Cotto he has to prove he deserves to be mentioned with the elites in this sport, and he also has to prove that he is not damaged goods since his brutal TKO loss to Antonio Margarito. That loss is controversial as Margarito has since been accused of putting foreign substances in his hand wraps.
Pacquiao must prove that he is indeed the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. He also has to prove that he can hang with one of the best welterweights. Oscar De La Hoya was a drained fighter when Pacquiao beat him and Hatton was on the verge of declining. Cotto will prove to be a different challenge.
Cotto's dilemma
Many sports writers have made the claim that Cotto is not the same fighter since his first professional loss to Margarito. However, Cotto's main issue is not whether he is mentally ready, but how can his corner manage his cuts?
In his last two bouts, Cotto has been cut badly one by an accidental head butt and one from the continuous onslaught of punches he was taking. His cutman in the corner needs to keep his fighter clean.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Puerto Rican
posted 11/13/09 @ 5:00 PM CST
No way Cotto will destroy Manny and bring the pride back to Puerto Ricans everywhere. Go Cotto
boxerfanwhenIcan
posted 11/17/09 @ 4:11 PM CST
This is going to be a good one- I don't know about Destroy, I haven't seen Manny Destroyed since Ive been back into boxing.
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