By now it has sunk in.
Manny Pacquiao is the greatest boxer on the planet not named Floyd Mayweather Jr. He also might be the worst singer ever to put out an album and sing in a band. Here are ten other thoughts to ponder after Pacquiao’s dismantling of Miguel Cotto.
1. Pacquiao can take a welterweight’s punch.
For me, this was the most important question coming in. How would Pacquiao react when Cotto hit him with clean shots to the head and body? Well Pacquiao laid those questions to rest in the first round when by his own admission, he set out to “feel Cotto’s power”.
Come to find out, he wasn’t all that impressed with Cotto’s power, and preceded to thump him for it. In a potential upcoming fight with Mayweather, whether or not Pacquiao can take a welterweight punch is not a question anymore.
2. Cotto was ruined by Margarito, or at least his face was.
There are two ways to look at this. The first is that Margarito ruined Cotto forever, and Cotto will never be the same physically. He took something from Cotto that night that Cotto will never get back, no matter how long he takes off or rests.
The second is that Margarito’s plaster wraps(allegedly) ruined Cotto’s face. I have watched Cotto fight for many years now, and the only times I can remember his face looking as swollen as it did Saturday night was against Margarito. His face now shows the toll of the beating he took that night. He cuts easily, and swells often. No matter the future course of his career, it seems this is a problem he will have to live, or fight with, so to speak.
3. Mayweather is backed into a corner now, he must face Pacquiao.
If you are a true fan of boxing, you have to love this. Mayweather Jr. has finally run out of options. He has to fight Pacquiao now. The public demand will be too great. The money offered will be too much. His ego won’t allow him to duck this one.
Now if it were up to him, I’m sure Mayweather would gladly fly to England to give Ricky Hatton a rematch. I’m sure he is dying to get into the ring with Chavez Jr., preferably in Mexico City. It could be billed as battle of the undefeated. Somebody’s O must go.
Good thing for fans, and perhaps for Mayweather’s legacy, he really only has two serious options now. Either he fights Pacquiao next, or fights the winner of Berto/Mosley.
4. Is Shane Mosley ever going to get a break?
After waiting a whole year to land a big fight, Mosley will have to wait probably another year to get a crack at Mayweather or Pacquiao. If he gets by Berto, and he should; he will still have to wait for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather to come together. Assuming this fight comes off in April or May, the winner most likely wouldn’t fight for another four to six months. That’s Oct. or Nov. Another year for Mosley to get older, and more tired chasing the big one.
5. Mayweather needs Pacquiao more than Pacquiao needs him.
Pacquiao is definitely in the drivers seat. He could fight any number of guys next and the world would watch. He could retire now, his legacy is secure. No one will accuse him of ducking anyone, or dodging big fights. He has taken on all comers. In many cases he has fought bigger guys. He has challenged himself on the highest levels. If he retires now, he will still be an icon and national hero in his country. He could run for office or become a movie star, and make money for years to come. Mayweather, on the other hand, has Philthy Rich Records. ‘Nuff said.
6. Pacquiao; How merciful art thou?
In two of his last three fights, Pacquiao has appeared to show mercy to his opponent. Against De La Hoya, Pacquiao seemed to back off several times and allow De La Hoya to escape the pounding he was giving him against the ropes. Saturday night, he seemed to tire of chasing Cotto around the ring and took his foot off the gas pedal late in the fight. The only reason he couldn’t show Hatton mercy was Hatton’s need to ram his head into Pacquiao’s fists repeatedly with his hands down.
7. Might Pacquiao’s next fight be his last?
If you are a fan of Pacquiao you need to really take this into consideration. Pacquiao is running out of ways to challenge himself. After a Mayweather showdown there really is little left for him to do in boxing. Maybe he fights Shane Mosley, maybe not. Even so, he is very likely only going to fight a few more times. Appreciate him now, it will be too late later.
8. What really is next for Cotto?
Did anybody else feel bad watching Cotto’s family on TV Saturday night? Seemed like every time they showed them they were cringing or turning away. I felt like cringing myself after about the seventh round. Everything after round seven was unnecessary punishment. If Cotto doesn’t retire lets hope he takes a long vacation and lets his body and mind heal from this loss.
9. Can somebody please get rid of Chavez Jr. for me?
If I could pinpoint one of the things that helps MMA take away boxing fans, its fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He is the worst 42-0 fighter I have ever seen since Brian Nielson. If I might, let me suggest some possible challengers for the young man. Let me see, Paul Williams, Kelly Pavlik, Shane Mosley, Kermit Cintron, any of those will do for his next fight.
10. Pacquaio vs. Mayweather Jr. is the most significant fight of our generation.
It really is hard to state this any more plain than that. This fight will be the most significant fight in boxing today, and for a long time. You could say since De La Hoya vs. Trinidad, but I think this fight will be much bigger. I think this truly is the one fight you have to see. This is the Leonard vs. Hearns of our generation. This is boxing’s version of Fedor vs. Lesnar. The undefeated all-time great vs. the unstoppable force.
