Funny thing this past weekend. I am sitting in my living room winding down from my son?s 2nd birthday party. And I happen to catch the tail of Tiger Woods coming back and winning the Memorial Golf Tournament. Then I quickly turn to ESPN news then I see that Roger Federer just won his 14th major in Tennis. Now I am far from a big Golf or Tennis fan. In fact the last time I golfed, I was soundly beaten by my 84 year grandpa. And the last time I hit a tennis ball was in High School trying to impress a girl, but needless to say it didn?t work. But I came to realization, greatness comes in 3?s like most things. And Manny Pacquiao belongs in that elite class with Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.
I thought about his wins over Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. He triumphs over Ricky Hatton, and Oscar De La Hoya. Heck I remember watching him crushing Lehlo Ledwaba. To me those wins go right up there with anything Tiger Woods and Roger Federer did in their individual sports. And neither of them had Juan Manual Marquez trying to take their heads off.
I know some people are getting sick and tired of people talking about Manny Pacquiao. But we need to enjoy this stuff while it is still here. You see folk these Manny?s Pacquiaos that don?t grow on trees. They are once and a generation athletes that we need to appreciate. I remember back when I was in college, when I saw Michael Jordan make his final jumpshot to win an NBA title for the Chicago Bulls. I thought to myself, man does it get any better then that. Probably not, but when it is that good. We need to appreciate while it lasts. Enjoy Manny while he is here.
Cotto-Clottey
I hope to have a more in-depth piece this week on this fight. But I am very intereted in this match-up. I am a big Miguel Cotto fan. He is very exciting and very technically sound in the ring. That being said he is in tough with Joshua Clottey. To me Clottey is a right handed version of Winky Wright. Highguard, not too much power. But great skills and excellent strength. So Cotto is in tough. But I see him winning a close decision holding on to his watered down WBO belt.
Pacquiao going for 7
Anybody who has been reading what I talked about this past weekend, knows I want to see Pacquiao make history. I want to see him go for 7 titles in 7 divisions. But I will be greatly disappointed if he chooses Miguel Cotto to attempt to do that. The reason why is, with all due respect to Cotto, he is not the Welterweight Champion. If you can get a belt by beating up Michael Jennings, you should probably just throw it in the trash. Cotto is a fantastic fighter and a great technician, but he is not the Welterweight Champion, Shane Mosley is. Yes Cotto beat Mosley in 2007, in a close fight. But as the saying goes. It is not what you have done before, it is what have you done for me lately. And Mosley?s destruction of Margarito puts him above Cotto right now.
Recommended Reading
Boxing writers are the best in the business of sports writing. And I am not one of them. Hahaha. But these writers below are all worth reading when you get the chance. In no particular order.
Doug Fischer?Ringonline.com Steve Kim?Maxboxing.com T.K. Stewart?Boxingscene.com David Avila?thesweetscience.com Eric Raskin?Ring Magazine Nigel Collins?Ring Magazine Ivan Goldman?Ring Magazine Coyote Duran?Doghouseboxing.com Jake Donovan?Boxingscene.com
Also don?t forget to sign on to Pacquiao-Mosley 7 in 7 Match-up. Looking for a 1,000 signatures.
