The Pacman still has the hand and foot speed and the left big swing to grab another belt –his seventh world title across several weight classes. He proves once again that he is the best pound for pound fighter of his time.
The MGM Grand was packed to the roof, with seats all sold-out; the anticipating crowd inside the arena watched one of the best matches of Pacquiao as of late (Pacquiao supposedly got a 13 million dollar purse. Add the endorsements to that and you have the richest Filipino boxer of all time…).
Round 1 appeared to be Cotto’s round throwing more punches and with them landing on Pacman’s head and body.
Round 2 was clearly Pacquiao’s round scoring a knockdown from Cotto. Cotto showed ferocious counterpunches. The Pacman was too quick to sustain serious damage. When Pacquiao unleashed a leftie, Cotto fell to the floor, dazed. Since then Cotto didn’t look like he was the same fighter that stepped in the ring barely 5 minutes that passed.
Rounds 3-7 were all in Pacquiao’s favor marking another knockdown from Cotto in Round 4. Everyone held their breath predicting that the bout will end soon with Pacquiao unleashing the deadliest that will bring Cotto down for the third time –and for good.
However, the 29-year old underdog from Puerto Rico didn’t relent so easily. He got pumped up with his second wind and worked the ring, letting Pacquiao run after him. He released a few jabs and body shots that connected. It seems like he was back on his strategy of attacking Pacquiao’s body.
Judging from Pacquiao’s cauliflower ear and minor cuts under his eyes along with some bruises, Cotto did land some heavy shots of his own. It was definitely a toe-to-toe match than Pacquiao versus Hatton or Dela Hoya. You definitely got your money’s worth watching the fight.
Despite a puffed and brutally bruised face and spitting blood, Cotto stayed in the game, unyielding, hanging on to every round, surviving. He earned my respect with his athleticism -I heard he’s also loved like Pacquiao because he’s really a very nice guy outside the ring. Rounds 9 and 10, he looked hopeful to land a devastating left hook that can knock Pacquiao out. But Pacquiao just wouldn’t have it –and he also didn’t want the fight to go to scorecards even if it was clearly his arm the referee would raise at the end of the day. He wanted a knockout that his coach, Freddie Roach predicted.
Referee Kenny Bayless stepped in for the boxer’s safety and waved his hands to put an end to the fight after Cotto received a big left to the head and looked like he couldn’t defend himself intelligently. The end came in the 55-second mark of the final round.
Pacquiao has successfully stripped off Cotto his WBO welterweight belt. Pacquiao’s speed coupled with throwing many punches from different angles is a firepower that is tough to extinguish -plus the fact that he has the unwavering heart of a champion.
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