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Puerto Rico vs. the Philippines Final Round:
Pacquiao vs. Cotto!
By Luis Torres (11-Nov-2009)

Luis Torres takes a look at the last installment of title fights between Puerto Rico and the Philippines this year, which is capped off with the mega bout between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto!

A highly unusual string of three championship fights in a period of three months, matching high caliber fighters from both nations, started last September. After splitting victories with Sonsona over Lopez and Calderon over Mayol, Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao, the third and final round of this unofficial championship series, will be the tie breaker, and a tie breaker between each nation’s top fighter at that.

When I first heard about the possibility of a match between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao I took it as just a rumor; a lot of hot air. I remember thinking, “Roach knows better than that.” Nevertheless, this Saturday we get the chance to see the rumor become history. How was that possible? The answer is simple — that Roach is a wise cat!

The acclaimed trainer and architect of the masterpiece that has become the Filipino idol’s career scandalized the boxing world when he not only announced that his pupil would fight Oscar De La Hoya but that he would knock him out. There were many people both within and outside boxing, including Miguel Cotto, who questioned the seriousness of the matchup. “Pacquiao is too small; that fight is no good for boxing” some said. “That fight is too dangerous for Manny,” said others. The result is now well known and it was followed by another demolishing victory this time against Britain’s Ricky Hatton at 140 pounds.

The next “victim” is Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto whom the vast majority of the boxing world has tagged as the underdog. Without taking anything away from the 122 to 135 pounds Manny Pacquiao, I invite you to take a look behind the smoke and mirrors so we can have a clearer idea of what we can expect come November 14.

There were many reasons why Roach decided it was a good idea to challenge De la Hoya, weight being the obvious factor. De la Hoya probably thought that his physical advantages would be enough to get by the ‘Pacman’ even knowing it would take a miracle for him to perform at 100 percent at a weight he hadn’t visited in years. Pacquiao hit the ‘Golden Boy’ with everything but the stool and De la Hoya himself has said that during the fight he got to a point where all he wanted was for Pacquiao to land a finishing blow that would put him out of his misery. After the fight, Roach declared that they would campaign at junior welter; that the welterweight venture was a one night stand.

As planned, the ‘Pacman’ returned to junior welter, scoring an impressive knock-out victory over Ricky Hatton.

It should be noted that Hatton had been knocked out impressively by Mayweather before. Not only that, he had been put on queer street by Juan Lazcano and Luis Collazo, whom with 15 ko’s in 30 fights seems to go shopping for boxing gloves with Ivan Calderon.

With two perfect wins above the lightweight division limit, Pacquiao established himself as the top junior welterweight with no sign of a welterweight move. Until Roach found another window of opportunity.

Then reports of the violent split between Cotto and his uncle/trainer/manager and Cotto’s unhealthy love of Puerto Rican nightlife went international. Next, he looks vulnerable against Joshua Clottey in a fight that brought back too many memories of Antonio Margarito. So maybe the prey looks wounded? Recognizing that 147 pounds is still dangerous turf, Roach managed to negotiate a title fight while forcing the defending champ to fight below the welter limit.

With this in mind, the fight reminds me a lot of Trinidad-Hopkins. The boxing world is still in awe of Pacquiao’s recent victories and he has a fan base that has elevated him to heroic proportions. Much like Trinidad fans did with Hopkins, Pacquiao fans seem to be overlooking the fact that Miguel Cotto isn’t just any titlist. Trinidad’s train came to a sudden stop when it entered the domain of a great fighter; reality struck in such a way that there are people who still haven’t dealt with it.

I understand Roach’s motivation. The odds seem good, and a victory would elevate team Pacquiao to historic boxing heights. Nevertheless, after analyzing both fighters performances at or near the weight limit at which they will fight, I find nothing to indicate that Manny Pacquiao is near Miguel Cotto’s level as a welter. The weight issue could once again be a factor in Pacquiao’s favour, but we understand team Cotto has taken the necessary measures to minimize its effect. Despite the change of trainers, reports from the training camp in Tampa allude to the pleasant chemistry among the group members as opposed to previous camps, so what many assumed would be a negative may actually have turned into a strength.

Reminiscent of 2001, after this one a nation will see that their hero is not invincible. But this time it’s not Puerto Rico’s turn. For our Filipino friends the post-Pacquiao loss era begins. I see a great little fighter being dominated by a great big fighter — Cotto wins before the sixth round.

56 Responses to “Puerto Rico vs. the Philippines Final Round:
Pacquiao vs. Cotto!”

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the expert Says:

noted one of the skeptics see yah after 4 days let me hear your sorry….

^_^ bet then
November 11th, 2009 at 1:45 am
rob Says:

cotto wins by ko in the 7 rd
November 11th, 2009 at 1:57 am
danury Says:

let us see what will happen, I am going to pacquio
November 11th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Melvin Says:

I just hope no one will get hurt on that night Mr. Writer. Brain damage after you get hit so hard, and might led to death. Pacquiao will unleash his strongest punch because Cotto is too big for him and he think his punch might not be enough so he will put extra power you’ve never seen before, it will generate so much power, twice as hard when he put Hatton to sleep. That’s so scarry for Cotto. I don’t think Manny will hurt him that way intentionally, but The magnitude and the importance of this fight for Manny is huge for him (7th belt) and for the filipinos that got hit from typhoon, and the responsibility of being the pound4pound best. Manny is bigger now, and power is derive from speed w/ mass on it. I don’t think Manny hates Cotto though, it’s because this is too big for Manny to lost. There might be some tragedy after this fight…hopefully after the knockout they will get up and hug each other.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:31 am
reynante t. bitas Says:

I ll try to read your right up after the fight mr. false prophet. You know, there were many boxing writers lost their credibility because of Pacquiao. They all predict that Pacquiao gonna loss but everybody knows what happened. After that , nobody reads their articles anymore and you know what, they have alibis after that. I think you better prepare your alibi so that you will not lost your rotten credibility.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:17 am
ramon Says:

Hey senor luis torres. You better stop writing after you have proven yourself dead wrong on Nov 14th! Baseless and bias predictions like yours are rubbish. Be a man and acknowledge you are wrong by writing an apology after Pacman destroys Cotto. That’s damn sure – Cotto will be knocked out ala David Diaz!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:36 am
eric32 Says:

pacquiao win via TKO round 9…
November 11th, 2009 at 4:39 am
DareDevilCaloy Says:

pacman by a brutal K.O round 7.. that’s for sure
November 11th, 2009 at 5:06 am
Nightwatch Says:

Yes, Pacquio is not invincible. Proving that is just an event waiting to happen. So what if Pacquio losses to Cotto? Pacquio is already part of boxing greatest. But, what if Pacquio flattens
Cotto just like Hatton? Drop Cotto because he’s drained? because it’s not the same Cotto -Margarito already waisted him? because etc.. etc.

Oh man! why don’t you guys just get a piece of 2X2 wood and whacked PACMAN! Then tell the whole world ‘See he’s not invincible!’
November 11th, 2009 at 5:46 am
joel Says:

I think i’ve heard this from others before. you have to hate manny. he keeps proving people like you are full of s**t. Thanks for the commentary. Sucks if everyone were right. Someone has to be wrong.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Adoremus Says:

Senor Luis, I’ll bet you have lost a lot already for betting against THE PACMAN every time he fights. Come on man, don’t be too stubborn. A true boxing analyst should know when one of the greatest is coming, not after he’s done it and about to leave.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:17 am
pak siw Says:

to all boxing panatic, pacman KO cotto 1:06 of round one.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
badboy24 Says:

i respect your choice.. may the best man win.. go pac man!!! :D
November 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
blue4cor Says:

“you have lost a lot of money after betting against the pacman”….LOL.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:08 am
JACK Says:

Well, I just hope youre right about your analysis. Coz if not you better retire from writing. You will become like a fortune teller who cant predict well. “)
November 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Guest Says:

Wow nice one. Degrade Manny’s victories while giving Cotto advance excuses in case he loses. So when is Manny’s opponent ever be good to you. In that case Manny should only fight: undefeated boxers, boxers who Manny is not a level with, at a disadvantage weight, boxers who has not been knockout impressively or put to queer street, fighters who has no trouble in their camp, those that have same speed or higher than Manny. To think that all time greats fought a variety of opponents.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:05 am
dakogBULI Says:

Luis, we will re-visit this article after the fight.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
leonardo Says:

you have to be there early at the MGM grand or else you will miss the fight.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
kimo sabe mo Says:

Mr. Luis Torres , I think you’re in denial. You plainly do not have the “huevos” to admit to the facts that Pacquiao possess the necessary arsenal to beat the crap up of your guy Miguel Cotto. I wonder what you will write for your next column after 11/14 when Pacquiao demolished Cotto. I can’t wait, must be interesting.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
sabongero Says:

This fight will be too hard for Cotto.
Cotto moves slow, easy target, forehead sticking out means easy to cut eyebrow, very low stamina after the ninth round, and doesn’t do well against southpaw fighters.
Also, Cotto’s vulnerable on his right side that’s his weak side because he’s a natural lefty like Manny.
Manny will pulverize Cotto’s right side by alot of straight lefts.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:59 am
bullegies Says:

the question is ” can cotto able to land punches in combi? if he does it just make the fight more interesting.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Lanski Says:

BRACE YOUSELF UP MR. TORRES, BE THE FIRST TO WITNESS THAT SIZE DOESNT COUNT THAT MUCH! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO IF THOSE BIG PUNCH OF COTTO’S NOT LANDING DUE TO MANNY’S SPEED? WHAT IF ITS RAINING WITH PUNCHES FROM THE PACMAN IN DIFFERENT ANGLE? I WONDER HOW COTTO CAN CATCH UP WITH PACMAN.. YOU’LL SEE IT, ON YOR VERY EYE! AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN WRITE AFTER THE FIGHT.. YOU’RE ON MY BOOKMARK.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Anonymous Says:

Go Pacman, bring home the 7th world title! yehey!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Ladyspy Says:

We will pay you a visit after the fight and hit you with a knock out punch! :-)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Ladyspy Says:

abd yes, i really want you to stop writing if Cotto loses! you retire and watch TV the whole time of your pathetic life :-)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Treva Says:

I completely agree with Luis Torres. And I like both fighters but want Pacquio to spaked cos he’s trying to cheat his way to a welter weight title. It ain’t even at 147!

And to Melvin, Boxing is a great sport and they both great sportsmen, but there is always intent in every left hand pac man throws, this is boxing!

Finally, don’t gang up on this great writer for having the balls to make a formal prediction.
November 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
eric brun Says:

Cotto is vulnerable to uppercuts. Id like to see Pacquiao do his nasty left uppercut again that sent 3K battery of Thailand to dreamland with feet lifted high.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
prmale Says:

look,look,look! Pacquiao fan’s are hurt over this writter comment. jajajaja. babys dnt cry. I bet it would all right if he had Pacquiao winning, would’nt be? WELL NOT EVERYONE IS CHOOSING MANNY T WIN!!!!!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
new era Says:

LUIS TORRES…. I will save your name in my memory. And may I asked you to come out with your article just after Pacquiao-Cotto fight. I pick Pacquiao to win in convincing fashion… even at the turf of Cotto in welterweight division.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
daddy jake Says:

this two fighters are very tough. cotto can beat manny. that’s for sure. but it’s not that easy. cotto doesn’t move like manny. very quick. and for manny. yes! he can give cotto a big blow! and can send cotto into the grave. for this fight, I feels that manny will win in 6-8 round.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
puerto policia Says:

prmale –
Cotto is overweight and he’ll be a slow poke that night. Everybody knows but you!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Treva Says:

New Era, it’s NOT at welterweight! the weight is Pacquio’s choosing, not cotto’s.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Luis Torres Says:

Thank you for reading my friends. I am also a fan of Manny and I will be here after the fight regardless of the result. If Manny wins he deserves all the credit. No excuses, fight camp is part of the fight itself so if Cotto is overtrained, weight drained etc. then its his loss and not an excuse.

As for Manny’s oponents, hes had a GREAT career and hes had big wins up to 140 pounds. Eventhought Hatton had his flaws it was a legit win at 140 but its not a clear sign that he can be as effective against a fellow great while moving up.

We will see after nov 14. Hopefully we all enjoy a great fight and Manny moves back to his best weight where hes still has great matches waiting.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:15 am
prmale Says:

PUERTO POLICIA-
YOU SEEM A LITTLE UPSET OVER MY COMMENT. WHY? DO YOU THINK PACQUIAO WILL LOOSE? DOES IT MATTER TO YOU WHAT I THINK? WHY? COTTO IS NOT OVERWEIGHT I THINK HE’S FIT. IS IT BECAUSE HE’S NOT AS SKINNY AS PAC? WELL, HIS BODY STRUCTURED IS DIFFERENT THAN PAC’S AND NO IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS THAT. I ALSO THINK THAT MANNY IS OVERRATED FOR THIS FIGHT. MANNY IS A GREAT FIGHTER BUT HE DOES’NT BELONGS THERE. MY OPINION IS THAT TO BE THE POUND 4 POUND KING YOU HAVE TO MEET YOU’RE OPPONENTS AT THE ACTUAL WEIGHTCLASS. LIKE TRINIDAD, DeLAHOYA, MOSLEY AND OTHERS. THEY MET ALL OF THEY’RE OPPONENTS AT THEY’RE ACTUAL WEIGHT AND MANNY IS NOT DOING THAT. ROACH IS THE ONE TO BLAME, HE’S A SNAKE! HE WANTS TO FIGHT WEAKER FIGHTERS BY MAKING THEM COME DOWN. I THINK HE’S GONNA FIND OUT THE HARDWAY BECAUSE COTTO IS ONLY COMING DOWN 2LBS THATS NOT ENOUGH FOR HIM TO WEAKEN. COTTO IS TOO STRONG FOR PACQUIAO AND SPEED IS DOMINATED WITH STRENGHT. COTTO’S SPEED IS UNDER ESTIMATED AND FOR PAC TO PUNCH HARD HE WILL HAVE TOO EXTEND AND WHEN YOU EXTEND YOU LEAVE YOU’RE SELF OPEN AND BEFORE HE COMES TO HIS DEFENSE HE’S GONNA RECEIVE A BODYSHOT AND THATS WHERE YOU, I AND EVERY ONEELSE WILL SEE THAT COTTO’S SPEED IS ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB NOT TO MENTIONED HIS POWERFUL FAST JAB THAT CAN SEND ANYONE TO THE CANVES.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
prmale Says:

CANVAS
November 12th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
shawtywayne@cebupeoplecoopmandaue Says:

Watapak…1:71 round 1 manny pacquiao K.O. cotto..wheew…the beuaty of boxing…
November 12th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
shawtywayne@cebupeoplecoopmandaue Says:

sumbody col 911…manny is burning cotto with punches from all angles on the dance floor..oh whoah…come night of nov 14, see how the little giant of the philippines take that giant cotto of puerto rico…then the god of boxing will be born… hehe..more beer…
November 12th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
shawtywayne@cebupeoplecoopmandaue Says:

hey prmale ur talking to much boy .. manny’s done PUNICHING mexicans and the preky boy “mama” mayweather is having trouble looking for alibi to keep away from the hands of manny “the real money” pacquiao..think twice man…ur take a hammer to ur head and wake up coz ur sein nothin but a fat hard butt in your mouth…cotto is good but not too good for my lil boy pacman..i’ll put my money and my mama’s money where my mouth is..haha…..ewwww
November 12th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
shawtywayne@cebupeoplecoopmandaue Says:

y? y is y? y x y…go to ur bukid prmale and plant kamote! hahaha
November 12th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
pinoy pride 09 Says:

pacman
wl k.o cotto by 7
November 14th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Melvin Says:

Now What you gonna say Mr. Writer!!! What Cotto’s power? I did not see any power.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Melvin Says:

Manny kick Cotto’s ass Mr Torres. I mean, Pacquiao is not even using his in and out style against Cotto. He let Cotto punches him and Cotto got killed.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:12 am
LaGUNaMAN Says:

How you like our boy teh Pacman now Mr.Luis Torres. LOL.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:15 am
radar Says:

“For our Filipino friends the post-Pacquiao loss era begins. I see a great little fighter being dominated by a great big fighter — Cotto wins before the sixth round.”

Hahaha! what do you have to say now Luis Torres? come on, bring on your “reasons”…
November 15th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Melvin Says:

Pacquiao is just toying Cotto’s power. Unbelievable!!!!
November 15th, 2009 at 1:46 am
inusenting bugoy Says:

TANGGAL ANG DANDRUFF TANGGAL DIN ANG COTTO..
November 15th, 2009 at 3:55 am
joel Says:

Say what again?
November 15th, 2009 at 4:04 am
joel Says:

You can be stubborn or you can be with us. Even Miguel is with us now.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Ms Pinay Says:

Well well well, Cotto’s face looked like a bruised tomato while Pacquiao went off to his mini concert after the fight. Talk about staying power, on and off the ring.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Ms Pinay Says:

I guess what really irked Filipinos in this article is that the writer had to address the nation as a whole and saying their hero’s gonna lose. He should’ve just omitted the Filipino friends line. It was like he was really sporting for a fight.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:20 am
TheRunningMan Says:

Post-Pacman loss era? please….

NEVER BET AGAINST THE PACMAN.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:09 am
rodel Says:

SO THERE YOU ARE…..! EVERYBODY KNOWS BY NOW!!!!
November 15th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Luis Torres Says:

ouch!

No excuses here my friends. Cotto looked in great shape at the weight in so wether or not those 2 pounds took too much out of him shouldnt be an issue.

While beating a drained DLH and the chinny Hattonlooked good, it was nowhere near a world class welterweight performance.

Now we have seen Pacquiao do something really impressive above 140 and we should take him serious at that weight. Like i said before im also a fan of Manny and ide love to see him fight Floyd. I just hope they get rid of the catch weight thing now that hes proven he can hang with the top guys.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Ms Pinay Says:

Now that you admit you’re a Pacquiao fan yourself you should’ve put GLOBAL PACMAN FRIENDS instead of FILIPINO FRIENDS. Let’s say, you were politically incorrect, thus the barrage of reactions, including mine.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Manuel Menendez Says:

http://boxeo.suite101.net/article.cfm/pacquiao_contra_gamboa_utopia_o_realidad
December 4th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
pac-roids is guilty! Says:

bernabe cocepcion vs mario santiago
in feb 2010
February 9th, 2010 at 12:06 pm

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Pacquiao vs. Cotto!”

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56 Responses to “Puerto Rico vs. the Philippines Final Round:
Pacquiao vs. Cotto!”