We all love Bob Arum. Venerable promoter in boxing. But steady on, Bob. Already talking about Manny Pacquiao versus Miguel Cotto ? Yes, it may be a mouth-watering match-up, but of course we are a long way from it happening, and both have fights to get through, first.
It would be a huge upset if Cotto were to be beaten by Englishman Michael Jennings at Madison Square Garden, New York, this weekend. Michael has a good record, but has not been in against the calibre of opponent he faces in the powerful Puerto Rican, whose last 13 fights have been world title bouts. Jennings will be brave, but could be stopped between the sixth and ninth rounds.
One of the major disappointments for this writer is that Ricky Hatton never met Cotto in a ring. That would have been a great world title unification in 2006. Sadly, that will never be, either.
Can I point all reading this column to an excellent essay from Gene Ramirez, on ringsidereport.com, on what might have happened if Manny Pacquiao and Pernell Whitaker – the great defensive boxer – had met in the ring in their prime.
Here’s the link: http://www.ringsidereport.com/rsr/news.php?readmore=1631
Obviously it is all conjecture, but for my money, a prime Pacman may have been able to wear ‘Sweet Pea’ down in the very late rounds, and snatch an improbable points win. If Pacman beats Hatton, then Cotto, I would certainly be more convinced a win over Whitaker could have been his.
