HE DOESN’T WISH FOR ONE, but Bob Arum says it may not be easy to prevent a bloodbath at the Las Vegas MGM Grand on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
They call it a boxing bout, a world championship, but what’s sure to erupt at the first bell, when Manny Pacquiao goes for a conquest of Miguel Cotto and his WBO welterweight crown, is a full-scale war.
Arum himself has predicted a brutal ending. But does Arum also foresee the Pacquiao-Cotto firepower encounter rising to mythic heights, like the one he witnessed at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 1, 1975?
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Arum was at ringside when Ali stopped Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila.
Ali also called that championship one that “felt like death.”
Despite ending up victorious, Ali was himself savaged beyond repair during that fight.
The aftermath was both damning and gory, one that Arum would not wish on either Pacquiao or Cotto.
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For a peek into one of boxing’s grim aftermaths, let’s lift from this report by the great Mark Kram on the third and last Ali-Frazier fight, which was included among the greatest sports stories compiled by Sports Illustrated (1954-2004).
“Ali had never before appeared so vulnerable and fragile, so pitiably unmajestic, so far from the universe he claims as his alone. He could barely hold his fork, and he lifted the food slowly up to his bottom lip, which had been scraped pink. The skin on his face was dull and blotched, his eyes drained of that familiar childlike wonder. His right eye was a deep purple, beginning to close. He chewed his food painfully, and then he suddenly moved away from the candles as if he had become aware of the mask he was wearing as if an inner voice were laughing at him.”
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“In the bedroom of a villa, Joe Frazier lay in semidarkness. Only his heavy breathing disturbed the quiet as an old friend walked to within two feet of him. “Who is it?” asked Frazier, lifting himself to look around. “Who is it? I can’t see. I can’t see. Turn the lights on!” Another light was turned on but Frazier still could not see. The scene cannot be forgotten; this good and gallant man lying there, embodying the remains of a will never before seen in a ring, a will that carried him so far—and now surely too far.”
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Well, one thing that could save either Pacquiao or Cotto from undue damage is a swift ending.
With the great credentials and stoic buildup of the combatants, Pacquiao-Cotto could also develop into one short but great bout.
Experts said it has the makings of a classic like the Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns world middleweight championship in 1984.
Hagler stopped Hearns in the third round, but the fight continues to be ranked as the most exciting 10 minutes in world boxing.
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But don’t the awesome odds-3-1 in Pacquiao’s favor augur well for a sweet and swift ending for the Pacman, like that one he essayed against Ricky Hatton?
Not too fast, warned the boxing sage Larry Merchant.
No, Mr. Merchant did not try to sound popish. But he seemed quite certain that it won’t be an easy outing for the Pacman.
In fact, he said the odds reflect Pacquiao’s popularity more than his overall boxing know-how.
Merchant, who said he’s giving Cotto a serious chance, did not speak of a grim or bloody ending.
But he was obviously certain there will be no punching picnic at the Las Vegas MGM Grand.
