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Pacquiao Overwhelms Cotto and Gets TKO

By Pete Allman

Manny Pacquiao proved once again, that speed conquers in the ring, as the young Filipino idol out boxed Miguel Cotto on Saturday at The MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Pacquiao - whose early-on basketball and martial arts skills helped him in his boxing career- envisioned Cotto coming out strong in the early rounds.

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. Photo by Chris Farina

It didn't take long though for Pacquiao to strategize his combinations to execute those power punches, knocking Cotto down in the third and again in the fourth round. He repeatedly overwhelmed the powerful but slow Cotto, garnering him the World Boxing Title Organization Belt.

In the twelfth round, referee Kenny Bayless stepped in between the two fighters and stopped the fight in fifty five seconds of round twelve. Pacquiao, through his speed and power doubled the number of punches compared to Cotto's. It was all Cotto could do stop Pacquiao's ongoing barrage of punches.

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao(R), General Santos, Philippines stops Miguel Cotto, Caguas, Puerto Rico in the 12th round Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Photo by Chris Farina

In fact, in the eleventh round Pacquiao almost stopped Cotto, when Cotto's trainer, Joe Santiago walked into the ring apron and waved his hand to Bayless to stop the fight. But Bayless and the ringside physician Jame Garne allowed the fight to continue. After the announcement of Pacquiao as the victor, the capacity filled arena of boxing fans started chanting "We want Floyd"

That looks promising for next year when Floyd Mayweather Jr. said "I want to take boxing to the next level."

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao(R), General Santos, Philippines celebrates with Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum(ctr) and trainer Freddie Roach(L) Photo by Chris Farina 2009

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach stated, "I want to see him fight Mayweather."

The Pacquiao versus Cotto championship fight has added another chapter in the history of boxing. Pacquiao thus far, is the only fighter to have won seven titles in seven different weight categories.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com