With Mayweather-Marquez in the rearview, the Cotto-Pacquiao countdown begins

Last night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather made his return to the ring against respected veteran Juan Manuel Marquez. Despite not having fought for a whopping 21 months, Mayweather looked sharp throughout the contest and went on to capture a wide unanimous decision against the ever hopeful Mexico City fighter. Scores of 120-107, 119-108, and 118-109 were all read in favor of the Grand Rapids native as ‘Money’ Mayweather was simply too big and skilled for the former champion.
Highlights of the fight were few and far between and outside of a second round knockdown of Marquez, courtesy of a Mayweather left hook, the action itself wasn’t worthy of prolonged mention. Despite the great build up to the fight, it was a rather ho-hum affair and many even suggested that Mayweather was carrying Marquez to make things interesting. With the win Mayweather moves to 40-0 with 25 knockouts and just like the rest of the world he will surely turn his attention to one date in particular: November 14th.


On this day the boxing world will sink it’s teeth into one of the year’s most anticipated clashes as proud Puerto Rican WBO Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto defends his belt against the whirlwind attack of Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao. Despite the fight being nearly two months away there’s little doubt that this contest will be the talk of the town until the first bell rings.


Pacquiao has been in the headlines recently for a bit of negative press regarded some alleged rumors from Floyd Mayweather Sr. that the Filipino fighter was guilty of taking illegal substances to enhance his performances. People on the inside have also said that perhaps Pacquiao is looking past Cotto, considering the Puerto Rican to be damaged goods following his brutal knockout loss to Antonio Margarito over a year ago. Freddie Roach denies all of this and just a few days ago the trainer was to set flight for the Philippines to start camp with his fighter, eventually returning to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles near mid-October.


Cotto himself was said to have started light training at the Abner “Pin” Cotto Boxing Gym in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico before recently relocating to Tampa, Florida for the final phase of his camp. The two division champion is coming off of a split decision victory over rugged Joshua Clottey in June. The bout was full of wild momentum shifts and for much of the fight Cotto had to fight through a nasty cut by way of accidental head butt that lead to blood streaming down his face. It was a win that may not have answered whether Cotto is still in his prime form but it did shed light into the fighting heart of the Caguas native.


When analyzing a Pacquiao-Cotto fight, the possibilities are both endless and intriguing. Both men have an offensive attack that is sound, proficient, and at times explosive. In the past Cotto has had trouble with southpaws, as both DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley and Zab Judah had him buzzed early in their fights, and if he is caught early against Pacquiao he could be in trouble.


Pacquiao himself will be dealing with most likely the strongest fighter physically that he has encountered. Possessing a wicked body attack and a champion’s poise, Cotto very well could present some trying moments to Pacquiao if he is able to get through the early rounds and get into his comfort zone. Hatton attempted to physically manhandle Pacquiao and he was subsequently bulldozed, but Cotto possesses far more skill than the Manchester fighter and he will go about his business with much more tact and patience.


Still almost two months away, the fight will surely pick up steam and the always interesting pre fight debate will surely be plentiful from both sides. In the coming weeks the Examiner will be touching base with a wide range of people in the sport in an effort towards gathering a conscious pulse on what the boxing nation is feeling about Cotto-Pacquiao. Without question this is one of the biggest fights of the year and the countdown has officially begun…

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-22973-Miami-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d20-With-MayweatherMarquez-in-the-rearview-the-CottoPacquiao-countdown-begins?cid=examiner-email