Manny Pacquiao wins 7th world title

November 14, 2009

MANILA – Pound-for-pound king and now WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao made boxing history after defeating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in their “Firepower” bout Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (Sunday in Manila).

Pacquiao defeated Cotto after referee Kenny Bayles stopped the already lopsided contest via technical knockout in Round 12.

The Filipino boxing superstar is the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. He also won the WBC diamond belt.

Pacquiao’s record improves to 50-3-2, with 37 knockouts while Cotto’s record slumps to 34-2, with 27 KOs.

Cotto started Round 1 by connecting a jab to Pacquiao but Pacman jabs back. Cotto connects with a left hook which threw Pacman back a bit. Cotto jabs again. Pacman tries to figure Cotto. Cotto seems to be jabbing effectively while Pacquiao seemed to be taking his time. Pacman then connects with 1-2. Pacman tries to slip, attacks, but Cotto holds. Cotto presses attack, Pacman lands left hook, wobbles Cotto a bit.

In Round 2 Pacman jabs then throw a left straight. Cotto fought back, seems to look faster than Pacman. Pacman keeps his hands up and defends self then he connects with left straight and then threw combinations. Cotto appeared to throw a low blow. Pacman rattles Cotto with big left hooks, explosive punches! Cotto seemed a bit hurt! Cotto tries to trap Pacman in the corner but Pacman escapes!

In Round 3 Cotto moves forward while Pacman positions himself at the center of the ring. Cotto connects with a left but then Pacman throws an explosive 1-2-3 combination and downs Cotto! Referee makes a standing count and resumed the fight. Cotto survives, Pacman attacks again. Pacman presses the fight, Cotto recovers. Both fighters unleash big bombs! Pacman jabs inside , connects with his left and darts out. Cotto told to keep punches high, Cotto pushes Pacman’s head down… bell rings! A big Round 3 for Pacman!

In Round 4, Cotto jabs and throws big left, Pacman retreats. Cotto threw body punches then Pacman throws 1-2, then upper cuts and cuts Cotto’s combo. Pacman assaults and Cotto knees seems to wobble. Referee separates them. Pacman on the ropes and waits for Cotto’s attacks then slips and escapes. Cotto is down again 20 seconds left in Round 4! Cotto is saved by the bell!

Cotto presses an attack in Round 5 but Pacman boxes from the distance, being careful. Pacman lands a combo again, forces Cotto to peek-a-boo defense. Pacman boxing beautifully, stays on the ropes. Pacman gets hit a bit, moves to the center, Pacman jabs and connects. Cotto holds, both fighters wrestle a bit and flurry of exchanges was made before the bell rings!

Cotto jabs to start Round 6 and moves forward, Pacman throws a hook, upper cut and connects with a big right hook! Cotto seemed affected but dances away while Pacman presses the action. Cotto, retreats but gets hit with 1-2. Pacman throws 1-2-3, Cotto holds. Cotto lands a jab, uses it effectively. Pacman attacks again! wobbles Cotto a bit. As the round ends, Cotto taps Pacman’s cheek and seemed to say: Good round!

Pacman throws a heavy right, Cotto reels a bit as Round 7 started. Cotto keeps his hands up, moves forward, throws a straight then a hook, Pacman seems unaffected. Pacman moves forward, dictating the pace. Cotto tries to dance away, Pacman hunts Cotto and connects 1-2 before the round ends.

As Round 8 started, Cotto now has bruises under the eyes while Pacquiao was getting confident. Cotto uses the ring to stay away from Pacman who was boxing beautifully. Cotto pecking away but Pacman traps him at the ropes. Cotto receives 1-2-3, before stepping away. Pacman stalks his prey, connects upper cut and hook and traps Cotto in the corner. Pacquiao was under control in Round 8. His combos were connecting as Cotto only counters once in a blue moon.

In Round 9, Cotto jabs again and Pacman hits his gloves together signaling: ‘Come on, fight!’ Cotto attacks with 1-2. Pacman fights back but Cotto holds! Cotto got trapped at the ropes. Cotto’s face is a mess, right eye swelling whle Pacman’s face remains clean. Pacman staks his prey again, Cotto retreats a bit.

Cotto attacks at the start of Round 10 and tries to control the fight. Pacman however keeps his defense and attacks again. Cotto tries to hold but Pacman stays away. Pacman walks forward to hunt Cotto down but Cotto seems always to retreat and uses the ring to stay away from Pacman. Pacman sighs, seems tired of chasing. Pacman picks the pace again. Cotto’s face is really a mess, nose bleeding, right eye puffed and has a small cut in the left brow. Cotto kept running around the ring in Round 10 like 20 times! Viewers ask if he’s trying to gather wind for one big one?

In Round 11 Cotto again continued to box away. The fight has shades of the Cotto-Margarito fight when the Puerto Rican was trying to stay away from Margarito. Pacman connected with 1-2-3-4 punches! Pacman tried to trap Cotto in the corner but Cotto moves away and jogs around. Cotto then jabbed with an apparent “stay away from me punch”. Cotto counter punches but gets boos from the crowd. Pacman was dominating Cotto, using ring generalship.

As Round 12 started, Pacman again hunts Cotto down. Cotto throws a left hook but Pacman catches Cotto with 1-2. Pacman was relentless, 1-2, 1-2! Referee Kenny Bayles steps in, waves off the fight just seconds over 2 minutes in Round 12!

Pacman is now the new WBO welterweight champ!

Cotto embraced and congatulated Pacquiao while officials draped the WBO belt and the WBC diamond belt on Pacman.

Bookmark to: