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by:

Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan


We are more than two weeks away from arguably the most anticipated boxing event of the year. The title "Firepower" suggests that the encounter between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto and six division champion Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao has "Fight of the Year" written all over it. Most people believe this fight will indicate if Pacquiao has a chance in defeating the once pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Most pundits recognize Manny Pacquiao as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. However, Pacquiao detractors believe the 12 round drubbing of Juan Manuel Marquez, by the hands of former pound-for-pound champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather, should be enough to catapult the undefeated welterweight back to the top spot.

Manny Pacquiao (49 - 3 - 2, 37KOs) has been one of the most celebrated fighters of the last decade. He immediately took the world by storm when brutally stopping Legendary Marco Antonio Barrera within 12 rounds to take the universal distinction as the Lineal Featherweight Champion of the World. Most Barrera supporters felt he took Pacquiao lightly in their first encounter. However, after Pacquiao began making short work of Legendary Erik Morales (twice), Hector Velasquez, Jorge Solis, and Oscar Larios, he would be the betting favorite when decisively beating Barrera in their highly anticipated rematch.

Pacquiao is a southpaw boxer-puncher with the fastest hands I've seen since the prime days of Meldrick Taylor. He also has one-punch power in either hand, which makes him one of the most dangerous fighters south of 154lbs. Since Pacquiao undertook the services of Hall of Famer Trainer Freddie Roach, he has been on a tear by virtually knocking out 90% of the fighters he's faced thereafter. Roach has added many intangibles to the Pacquiao repertoire, which has turned him into one of the best fighters of this era. The increasing use of the right hand, firing precise counter shots from odds angles, and displaying the ability to circle right, behind the jab, has been the biggest additions in Manny Pacquiao's fight game.

Manny Pacquiao began his professional career as a light flyweight, which is roughly 108lbs. Recently, the national hero of the Philippines scored a sensational knockout of Ricky Hatton to win the junior welterweight title on May 2 at the MGM Grand. The victory gave Pacquiao a world championship in a record-tying sixth weight division. In this fight, he will face the strongest man he's ever fought in his professional career, at the heaviest weight of his career (145lbs).

The Cotto vs Pacquiao match represents an interesting clash of styles. Miguel Cotto (34 - 1, 27KOs) is a rugged, tough, and strong fighter whose versatility stems from his ability to box behind a good jab, or brawl in close quarters in attempt to bully his opponent around the ring. Miguel Cotto has beaten some of the best welterweights of this era, which includes the likes of Shane Mosley, Carlos Quintana, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, with a lone disputed loss at the hands of recently suspended Antonio Margarito. Margarito was suspended for a year due to using Plaster of Paris in his hand wraps, which was caught by trainer Nazim Richardson prior to the Margarito vs Mosley fight. Cotto supporters believe with certitude that Margarito used those illegal hand wraps in their fight, 6 months prior in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cotto would take the early lead in the fight by decisively out boxing the larger Margarito, but would ultimately lose, brutally, by stoppage in the ninth round.

Miguel Cotto is currently the pride of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has a boxing rich heritage, and Cotto proudly carries the country on his back every time out as he fights with all of his heart. Cotto detractors believe the fight with Margarito has taken the best out of the Puerto Rican champion, and that now he is simply a sacrificial lamb for the Pac Monster to slaughter leading into the biggest fight in boxing, the Mayweather vs Pacquiao event. Cotto is coming off of a disputed twelve round decision victory against Joshua "The Hitter" Clottey where he fought nine rounds with a huge gash over his left eye. "Firepower" is scheduled to take place at a catchweight of 145lbs, which is 2lbs south of the welterweight limit. Knowing the importance of this fight Cotto began camp several weeks early in Tampa, Florida, and again without his once trainer/uncle Evangelista Cotto. Although facing the fastest fighter to date, Cotto seems relatively unphased by the celebrity of Manny Pacquiao.

"He's just another boxer. He's weaknesses are very obvious to me. I'm going to do my work, train hard, and get the victory," said Cotto prior to entering training camp.

The Cotto vs Pacquiao bout isn't just a fight for pundits, purists, and hardcore boxing fans, it's a fight that everyone can enjoy. The styles of both fighters guarantee the night of November 14th to be explosive, hence the name "Firepower." There are many intangibles to be considered in this fight. Will the blazing speed and punching power of Pacquiao simply overwhelm the much bigger champion, Miguel Cotto? Or will the brute strength, sheer size, and determination be more than Pacquiao bargained for when considering Cotto as his next opponent? Many more factors can be taken into consideration when predicting a winner in this fight, which is why it's an intriguing matchup. Both camps are very confident in victory, as Freddie Roach has gone on record to predict a first round knockout. While its remains a difficult process to predict a winner in this fight, fight fans worldwide will be the true winner on the night of November 14th.

The fight can be seen on HBO PPV. To find out more about services available in your area please contact your cable provider.

This fight is being promoted by:


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