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KING OF THE RING |
By RON MILLER
of TheColumnists.com
Anybody who saw Manny Pacquiao totally outclass and fiercely dismantle Miguel Cotto in slightly less than 12 rounds of boxing Saturday night should realize why he's the undisputed king of the boxing ring today.
All the evidence was there on view in the colorful HBO pay-per-view telecast.
For the record, Pacquiao won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight (147 pound) title when the fight was stopped after 55 seconds of the 12th and final round to prevent Cotto from taking any further punishment. Cotto was badly cut up, his eyes were swollen and he was no longer able to offer any serious competition to Pacquiao.
Also for the record, Pacquiao won his seventh world title in seven different weight classes. He began his career at 106 pounds and weighed 144 for Saturday's bout, which was set by contract for a maximum of 145 pounds, even though the official limit in the division is 147.
This further cements the Filipino slugger's unofficial claim to be the best fighter in the world, pound for pound. That means he's the best there is, no matter what weight he happens to be fighting at. After this sensational performance, the word "unofficial" means nothing. Who's better at any weight? Nobody.
Here are the assets the PacMan brings to each contest:
. He's a powerful puncher with either hand and can fire punches from almost any angle without being off balance. He dropped Cotto twice on his way to victory Saturday night and Cotto never saw either punch coming.
. He's incredibly intense, putting constant pressure on any opponent. He comes right at you and starts hurting you immediately. Combined with his uncanny ability to throw combinations of different punches, the effect is that of a buzzsaw bearing down on you.
. He can take a punch without even blinking. Cotto hit him solidly several times in the early rounds Saturday night and Pacquiao walked right through them. That was supposed to be the big question in that fight: How would Pacquiao react to being hit by a much bigger man, a full-fledged welterweight with geniune power? The answer: He can slip most punches or take them on his gloves, but when really hit square, he can take it. And then some.
. He's supremely confident in his own ability, but not cocky. Before the fight began, Pacquiao was all smiles, as if he hadn't a care in the world. He gets serious when the bell rings and is all-business. In contrast, Cotto appeared worried from the moment you saw him approaching the ring. For good reason, as it turned out.
. He has benefitted from his wide experience against some of the world's best fighters. He totally demolished Oscar de la Hoya, one of the smoothest, hardest-punching fighters in welterweight history, proving he could overwhelm even a ringwise veteran in top condition. He ruined Ricky Hatton with ease, proving he's got too much firepower for even a cyclone-style brawler like Hatton. He has devastated slick boxers and picture punchers. He's fought every kind of fighter and always fared well.
. He's superbly conditioned and trains for long, brutal contests. He's not likely to run out of gas against anyone I can imagine him facing these days.
The next big fight that loom for Pacquiao would be against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., who was the unofficial "pound for pound" champ before retiring, giving Pacquiao the chance to seize the honor. Mayweather has now returned to the ring and wants the "pound for pound" crown back. Pacquiao told HBO's Larry Merchant in Saturday night's post-fight interview that he'll not be fighting at any heavier weight, but intends to remain a welterweight. He seems eager to fight Mayweather, probably next year.
Mayweather is quick and punches hard. He's also a superb boxer with an exceptional left jab. Early in Saturday's fight, Cotto scored easily with his own heavy left jab, but was not able to sustain that jab attack well enough to keep Pacquiao off him. Mayweather may be able to do that, which could set Manny up for Mayweather's knockout punch.
But somehow I have this picture in my mind of Pacquiao walking through those jabs and planting some serious pain punches on Floyd's kisser. We've never seen Mayweather really rocked by anybody. They can't seem to lay a hand on him. I'm thinking Pacquiao will find a way. If that happens, Mayweather may finally know what it feels like to try punching a hurricane bent on tearing his house down.
Whatever the future brings, one thing is certain today, though: Manny Pacquiao is the king of the welterweight division and all weight classes below it.
©2009 by Ron Miller. This column first posted Nov. 16, 2009.
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