Manny and Miguel, just say no

Pacland Public Enemy #1 reporting from an undisclosed location while smoking a beef brisket, along with enjoying a few Shiner Bocks.

Seems as if some card carrying members of Pacquiao Nation have taken offense to my recent columns regarding their star, again. My life has been threatened, my intelligence insulted, and my so-called expertise in all things boxing questioned because I dared to argue that no championships are needed to make Pacquiao's bout with Miguel Cotto a battle for the ages and that Puerto Ricans are not enamoured with Cotto as much as Filipinos are with Pacquiao. Of course mentioning that Erik Morales' first fight with Manny Pacquiao is one of my all-time favorite scraps had many of Manny's Maniacs going wild and thirsty for violence.

Now a week following the official announcement of Cotto - Pacquiao, the loudest buzz surrounding the fight is that pesky WBO welterweight championship which is NOT at stake. Yes fight fans, the title is NOT at stake for now and it really should not matter to any of us.

First of all, in the current boxing scene sanctioned world championships are a joke. The organizations which control these trinkets twist and turn the rankings at the drop of an unmarked envelope with an undisclosed sum of money bursting at its seams. At their illogical discretion they make a championship, a super champion, an interim champion, a North American champion, and a Ricardo Lois' Backyard championship.

We should worry about the best fighters fighting the best available competition on a consistent basis, which is something both Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have done all of their careers. The reason why Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is a joy for boxing fans, is based that these two warriors will leave every ounce of their soul in between the ropes before taking a defeat. On November 15 boxing fans are in store for one of the best fights in the history of boxing, not just recent years.

So Miguel Cotto does not want to pay a $150,000 UDS sanctioning fee to defend a title. Can you blame him? Would you like to pay a single penny to step inside of a ring and put your life at stake? As far as I am concerned, the WBO and all other boxing organizations should be paying Cotto, Pacquiao, and other for being their champions. Why should they line the bank accounts of their "non-profit" boxing organisms on the blood of men?

And just to be clear, if Miguel Cotto is to put a welterweight title on the line, the weight limit should be the full 147 pounds.

Now the popular sentiment among some segments is that Pacquiao should have the opportunity to fight for his seventh championship. Now dear fans and pundits, when Manny Pacquiao is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame at the end of his career, will we remember him for championships or the thrilling moments he gave us against Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and others?

Just say no to sanctioning fees and bogus organizations and ask for the best fights from our fighters. Remember, even John Ruiz held a sanctioned world championship - twice.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2850-LA-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m7d28-Manny-and-Miguel-just-say-no