Philippines, 18 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


The Historic Firepower Championship


PhilBoxing.com


Today's historic battle between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and the "Boricua bomber" Miguel Angel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, is just what the Sweet Science needs to revive its former glory. The Firepower outcome will rearrange the current pound for pound ranking in boxing. Pacquiao, being on top as the pound for pound King, has a lot more to lose than Cotto. On Cotto's part, he will be putting his WBO welterweight title on the line against the very dangerous Pacman. A victory for Pacquiao will elevate him to another level of greatness, perhaps matching the elite statuses of Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and many other all time greats. But should Cotto win, he will be recognized as the man who conquers the best fighter in the planet in his prime.

Pacquiao, in this fight, aims to keep his lofty pound for pound lordship, but most importantly to secure a seventh title in seven different weight divisions: a feat never achieved by any pugilist of past and present, all throughout the glorious years of boxing. Oscar De La Hoya reached six titles but he stopped there, but not King Pacman: He may even fight at 154 to attain yet another championship diadem in that weight class and transcend to boxing immortality. For his fight with Cotto today, he must utilise all the craft and techniques that his master trainer Freddie Roach taught him in their camp in the Philippines and in Los Angeles. Cotto is one tough customer that will not go down easy so Pacquiao must be patient and careful when charging in. But then again, we may be in for a surprise once the bell rings to see another Pacquiao's virtuoso performance against the pride and favorite son of Puerto Rico: Miguel Angel Cotto.

After Margarito's brutal destruction of Cotto in their epic battle last July 26, 2008, a few boxing experts pronounced him as damaged goods. That is not necessarily true because after that forgettable loss, Cotto faced two difficult opponents in Michael Jennings and Joshua Clottey and defeated both of them. If Cotto steals a win over Pacquiao, he will regain the trust and adulation of boxing fans around the globe and his destructive loss against Margarito will just become a thing of the past, buried deeply in the forgotten memories of prize fighting. But Cotto must impose his power on Pacquiao, which is very difficult to do for any fighter because of Pacquiao's agility and swift footwork.

The Firepower battle will be a clash of raw power and amazing speed. Whoever goes down first will be in a great disadvantage throughout the fight. It will not last the distance due to the potent knock out power possess by both protagonists so you should keep focus on your television screen and do not blink so you will not miss a single moment of this classic duel between the two most prominent welterweights in our generation. It's time for war so let us all brace for shock!


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joey Liam.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.