Firstly I want to start by congratulating Manny Pacquiao. I am a massive fan of the fab 4 but was unfortunate not to be alive to see their almost round robin fights so being able to tell my kids in the future that I got to see a prime Manny Pacquiao goes some way to making up for it.
As expected the fight did not fail to impress as Manny Pacquiao was his normal fast and furious self whilst when he did box, Cotto had success.
Pacquiao was the favourite and duly won stopping Cotto in the 12th after knocking him down twice early but maybe in bias I reserve my ultimate praise for Miguel Cotto. He showed last night that he is a true warrior and has a warrior's heart. He was roundly criticised for 'quitting' against Antonio Margarito (who in all likelihood did have plaster of paris in his hand wraps) but against Clottey and last night he erased that memory. Even with blood streaming from his nose, mouth and a cut near his eye Cotto carried on. Many would have been wilted under Pacquiao's pressure, or would have taken the easy way out by quitting on their stool but Cotto stayed in there, as a Cotto fan I'm annoyed Kenny Bayless robbed him of the chance of finishing the fight but the result will not tarnish what we saw in the ring.
You will be hard pressed to find a fighter better than Pacquiao, who is now a 7 weight champion, from the past decade or even ever but also you will be hard pressed to find a fighter who has shown such extreme courage under fire like Miguel Cotto. There is no shame in his loss, and after a hard career fighting the best, no one would begrudge him a rest.
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