For those that don’t know, Manny Pacquiao is starring in movie in the Philippines where he is playing a superhero. He doesn’t need a costume as far as I’m concerned.
It’s a day later, and I’m still marveling at what Pacquiao did in 12 rounds to Miguel Cotto to win a title in his seventh different weight class.
Some more random thoughts
– Pacquiao’s right hook is devastating. For years, he was a one-handed fighter. But adding that right to his left, he’s close to unbeatable. The right started the damage against Ricky Hatton, and a right dropped Cotto in the third round.
– The undercard was pathetic. Brutal, sleep-inducing. If ever an event was saved by its main event, this is it. Let’s never talk about those fights again.
– Not only does Pacquiao have speed and power, he’s got some stones, too. He covered up and let Cotto take the best whacks he could at him. Nothing. Free shots, and Miguel couldn’t mount anything.
– Laughed at Manny Steward when he said he was happy this was on TV because if it was on radio, it would be the biggest mess ever with everyone talking over each other. It was so true at that point.
– Furious at Jim Lampley in this one. No. 1, if Cotto had won the third round, it would have been 10-9 Cotto. Not 9-9. You get knocked down and win the round, the other guy doesn’t get deducted a point – you earn that point back. For the record, I had the third round 10-8 Pacquiao.
No. 2 – “That punch was comically slow by Cotto.” Comically? Here is one of the best fighters in the world, and he’s leaving every inch of his soul out there, and this is what you’re saying? Wow. Yea, Cotto doesn’t have the speed of PacMan. Nobody does. Unnecessary comment.
No. 3 – But nothing tops this. The insistence on showing Cotto’s wife and son when Cotto was taking a beating. Real classy move there. That took away from my enjoyment of a beautiful performance by Pacquiao. I’m still angered by this.
– If Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are going to fight, it’s going to be because of Freddie Roach. PacMan won’t press it and say something. If Roach is outspoken enough to start getting to Floyd’s pride, book it, this will happen. And give ‘em each $30 million while you’re at it. That’s how bad I want to see this fight.
– There is nothing like seeing a big fight like this live. I’m wondering how rounds 2-4 are going to come off the second time around when I watch it next week on HBO. Will it still be as great? That’s thing about Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns. Those three rounds NEVER ever get old. EVER.
– How comfortable must Cotto be in his own skin to be so gracious afterward? I don’t know if I would have been able to do that. I hope he can bounce back from this. I don’t know how you can, but here’s to hoping.
