Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2) maintained his claim to the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world with dominating performance against former champion Miguel Cotto (34-2) on Saturday night in Las Vegas, NV. Pacquiao delivered punishing blows from the onset of the fight, leaving referee Kenny Bayless no choice but to throw in the towel and end the abuse being delivered to Cotto. The victory sets up for perhaps the biggest welterweight fight off all-time between Pacquiao and undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquaio Score TKO Victory over Cotto (ESPN.com)
The fight started out with a very confident Cotto attacking Pacquiao during the first round with a stiff jab that was clearly affecting Pacquiao’s ability to counter-attack. The momentum shifted in Round 3, as Pacquiao began to deliver shot from a range of angles, catching Cotto by surprise with a right hook that dropped him to the floor. Cotto was unphased and finished the round strong.
The tide of the fight turned in Round 4, as Pacquiao continued to press the fight and flatted Cotto with a combination of punches near the end of the round. Cotto was able to pull himself off the canvas, but the damage was done. Pacquiao stepped up the attack in Rounds 6 and 7, putting Cotto on the full defensive just trying to survive.
The savage beating continued into the later round. Between Rounds 9 and 10, Cotto’s corner asked him if he wanted to continue and Cotto proceeded forward. Not able to withstand watching the fight further, Cotto’s wife and son left ringside to return to the locker room. Before Round 12, Cotto’s father came to the corner begging for the fight to be stopped, but was turned away. Cotto continued to be beaten badly by Pacquiao until referee Kenny Bayless displayed the mercy that Cotto’s corner would not provide.
With this victory, Pacquiao has clearly placed his stamp onto the title of best pound-for-pound. In post-fight interviews, Pacquiao displayed his usual humbleness at victory when asked about making a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. While Pacquiao maintained his silence, trainer Freddie Roach expressed their desire to make the fight happen with Mayweather Jr. to prove once-and-for-all who holds the crown.
The following is our play-by-play call of this evening’s fight:
Round 1
Cotto kicks off the fight with a snapping left jab the connect solidly. Pacquiao connects with a combination as he darts in at Cotto. Pacquiao is showing respect to Cotto’s power, continuing to dash in and out with punches. Cotto stick with his jabbing, landing consistently and leaving no openings for Pacquiao’s counter punching.
Round goes to Cotto.
Round 2
Cotto start the round leading with the jab. Pacquiao continues to fight on the fringe, landing darting combination. Cotto lands a sharp jab and Pacquiao counters with a right-left combination. Cotto responds with a left hook that backs off Pacquiao. The speed of Pacquiao is beginning to take over, as he begins landing a series of shots to Cotto. It appears that the punches are having little impact as Cotto keeps moving forward as the round comes to and end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 3
Cotto comes back out with a series of jabs as he hunts down Pacquiao. Cotte lands a counter punches that straightens out Pacquiao. Cotto comes aggressively at Pacquiao and is floored by a counter punch by Pacquiao. Cotto takes the 8 count and appears unhurt. The fighters begin trading blows, with Cotto going to the body and landing some jabs. Pacquiao continues the aggressive counter punching attack. Cotto lands solid shots that snap Pacquiao’s head back and the fighter clinch as the round comes the end.
Round goes to Pacquiao 10-8
Round 4
Cotto start off sticking the jab again. Cotto unleashes a combination of shots along the ropes. Pacquiao works of the ropes and counters back. Pacquiao is now center ring unleashing a flurry, but Cotto fires back. Cotto backs Pacquiao into ropes and bgins to deliver some punishing shots. Pacquiao works off the ropes back into the center, Cotto is chasing and is nailed with a fiery-fast combination by Pacquiao that floors Cotto again. This time Cotto appears a little dazed but is able to get back to his feet as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao 10-8
Round 5
Cotto comes out tracking Pacquiao again and is struggling to land the jab. Pacquiao scores against with a series of combinations, delivering more pinishment to Cotto. The speed of Cotto’s punches are clearly slowing down. Pacquiao is darting in and out again with scoring punches. Cotto backs Pacquiao into the ropes and land an uppercut follwoed by a left hook, stunning Pacquiao. Pacquiao darts in again with a combination as the round comes to a close.
Round goes to Cotto.
Round 6
The boxers feel each other out as both appear to be slowing a little. Pacquiao scores with a combination of punches. Cotto sticks his jab to stave off the darting Pacquiao. It appears that Cotto is in trouble again as Pacquiao lands a range of shot. Cotto works off the ropes and gets himself ground, sticking the jab. As the round comes to a close, Pacquiao unleashes another series of shots, buckling Cotto into the ropes. Cotto is hurt and Pacquiao attacks. Cotto lands a hard left to stave off Pacquiao again as the bell rings
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 7
Pacquiao comes out the aggressor, landing a combination of blows from different angles. Cotto is not responding, absorbing the shot. Pacquiao pulls back giving Cotto breathing room. Cotto looks to stick his jab again. Pacquiao darts in and lands again and moves ito hunting mode and Cotto begin to circle around the ring rather than continuing to come forward. Pacquiao tracks Cotto down and lands shot effortlessly. Cotto is running around the ring as the round comes to a close.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 8
Cotto starts the round again with a stinging left jab. Cotto lands a few body blows and another snapping jab. Cotto has changed his approach to circling and defendeing the Pacquiao assault, doing a good job defending. Pacquiao catches up to Cotto and lands along the ropes. Cotto continues to circle. Pacquiao gets Cotto along the ropes and lands more scoring shot as they clinch. Pacquiao appears fearless of Cotto’s power. Pacquiao comes after Cotto again, unleashing a combination in the corner as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 9
The fighters trade shots to the head and body to start the round. Cotto lands a few jabs as he continues to circle around Pacquiao. Pacquiao lands a left, stunning Cotto. Pacquiao gets Cotto along the ropes and has him in trouble. The fighters clinch. Pacquiao gets Cotto against the ropes and he is struggling to survive. Another clinch. Cotto lands a stinging jab, but Pacquiao continues forward. Pacquaio unleashes along the ropes again and Cotto circles away as the round comes to an end. Pacquiao is now dominanting the fight.
Round goes to Pacquaio
Round 10
Cotto’s corner asks him if he wants to continue between rounds and Cotto says he wants to go. Ringside, Cotto’s wife and son leave ringside. Cotto lands a few jabs and Pacquiao appears to be taking a breather. Cotto is circling the ring and Pacquiao begins to pick up the pace. Pacquiao lands a right cross. Pacquiao calls on Cotto to bring it forward. Pacquiao lands another combination and Cotto continues to circle to survice. Pacquiao lands a hard right as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 11
Cotto comes out jabbing then moves back to his defensive circling. Pacquiao is taking another breather as Cotto refuses to engage. Pacquiao picks up the pace and goes in for the kill. Pacquiao lands a series of combination and has Cotto in trouble again. Cotto scrambles to survive, but Pacquiao won’t let up. Cotto looks up at the clock to see how much time he has left. Cotto continues the defensive circling to close the round as boos rains down from the crowd.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 12
The fighters touch gloves in the center. Cotto begins to circle immediately with Pacquiao on the hunt. Pacquiao lands a cobination and Cotto circles away defensively. Cotto refuses to engage and the referee Kenny Bayless steps in to end the fight.
Tags: boxing, manny pacquaio, miguel cotto
