Manny Pacquiao’s performance Saturday night was one for the ages. While many picked him to win (myself included), who expected him to bully the bully? One of the last things I thought I’d see was the aggressive Cotto running from Pacquiao.
• In dismantling another top tier fighter, Pacquiao once again displayed why he is the best in sport regardless of Floyd Mayweather’s perfect record. His ability to dominate bigger fighters is incredible and something I have never seen before. By claiming a championship in a record seventh division – over a fighter many considered unbeaten – with such ease, Pacquiao’s all time status skyrocketed.
• Props to the HBO broadcast team and Michael Buffer for not announcing the ridiculous WBC “Diamond Championship” that was supposedly on the line. Even though the bout was fought at a 145 lb catchweight, Cotto’s WBO welterweight title was up for grabs.
This “Diamond Championship”, which was created specially for catchweight fights, was of course approved unanimously by the WBC chairmen. Like there was any chance that the WBC was going to turn down the opportunity for future sanctioning fees? Although the inaugural title was reportedly “sanctioning fee free”, why would a promoter ever pay for this bogus belt?
• Speaking of belts being created in nonexistent weight classes, aren’t catchweight fights usually made to accommodate stars from different divisions, therefore a title is not necessary to create interest?
• Even though he is chastised by the media for fighting a handful inferior opponents and has the immense pressure of continuing the legacy of his father, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was taking steps in the right direction.
The once frail super featherweight developed into a notable prospect at 154, but after Saturday night, the popular Mexican took a step in the wrong direction. Chavez had yet another perfect opponent in front of him, but was unable to finish the job. Chavez had little enthusiasm and from early in the bout, seemed contempt with taking a decision. To make matters worse, Rowland had only two fights since 2005. Chavez will have to be a lot more energized to defeat the aggressive John Duddy, who is likely his next opponent.
• Congrats to newly crowned WBA Junior Middleweight champion Yuri Foreman. Foreman shook off the label as a featherfisted fighter, twice dropping three time titleholder Daniel Santos. With excellent ring smarts and solid quickness, Foreman will cause problems for any 154 lb fighter out there.
• Not to take away credit from Foreman, but what the heck happened to Santos? Quite honestly, he looked awful from the opening bell both physically and mentally. For years, Santos was a sleeper in the division, with inactivity and fights abroad keeping off the radar. Many considered him the favorite coming into the fight but after such a disastrous performance, Santos’ career could be over.
• Jesus Soto Karass-Alfonso Gomez turned out to be an ugly affair. The fight was intriguing on paper, with two Mexican warriors looking to get back into contention, but turned out to be a disaster. Headbutts and low blows from Soto Karass made the bout frustrating to watch. While a bloody Gomez picked up the victory with a technical decision, he did little to convince anyone he is worthy of a second title shot.
• Pacquiao-Mayweather is a fight that everyone and their grandmothers want to see. The demand is already at a level that has boxing insiders predicting record success in terms of pay per view buys. While Pacquiao-Mayweather will most likely happen in the near future, I wouldn’t be shocked if Pacquiao first took on Juan Manuel Marquez. Even with Mayweather by far the most lucrative option, imagine the story line of Pacquiao stops Marquez, making him the third fighter Mayweather beat but Pacquiao beat faster. That would make the promotion all the more interesting.
