MANILA, Philippines – WBA interim superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said yesterday Manny Pacquiao has nothing left to prove in boxing after cementing his Hall of Fame status by capturing his seventh world title in seven weight divisions with a convincing 12th round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.
Donaire watched Pacquiao bludgeon Cotto from his ringside seat at the House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino last Saturday night. And he described Pacquiao’s performance as “amazing” and “his best ever.”
“Manny can do what he wants, keep on fighting, get into politics or retire from the ring, and he’ll still be known as the one of the greatest boxers of all time,” said Donaire who turned 27 last Monday. “The decision is his to make. I think he just gets better and better. He’s in his prime. He’s the best in the world today and he proved it against Cotto who’s a heckuva fighter.”
If Pacquiao opts to continue fighting, Donaire said it will only add to his legacy.
“Manny can still make more money out of boxing if he wants to,” Donaire went on. “Fighting (Floyd) Mayweather would be interesting. I don’t think Manny’s ever fought anyone quite like Mayweather who’s fast, too. It’ll be a different fight for Manny. But Mayweather needs Manny more than Manny needs Mayweather who needs the money. If people are pushing for it, I’m sure they’ll make it happen with sponsors supporting the fight.”
Donaire said what Pacquiao did to beat Cotto was a display of guts.
“Manny took the hardest punches Cotto dished out and Cotto’s a tough guy, a real world champion,” said Donaire. “He hurt Manny for sure. But Manny had Cotto all figured out. He stood up to Cotto to make him come forward because that was the only way he could unload. Manny went to the ropes to take away Cotto’s left jab which is a killer.”
Not only did Pacquiao outsmart Cotto but he also outworked him.
“I’ve known Manny a long time now and conditioning has never been an issue with him,” he said. “You saw how he kept the pressure on Cotto from the start. Manny never got tired. An ordinary fighter would’ve slowed down by the fourth round at that pace. But Manny’s no ordinary fighter. He still looked strong in the 12th round.”
Donaire said Pacquiao was just too fast for Cotto.
“When they engaged in the middle of the ring, Manny shot off four, five to six punches and Cotto could only throw one or two,” he said. “Manny’s a thinking fighter. He knew how to deal with Cotto even if it meant taking some shots along the ropes. Manny created the angles for his punches and Cotto just couldn’t cope with his speed and power.”
As for Cotto running away down the stretch, Donaire said he didn’t take it against the Puerto Rican.
“He was only trying to survive,” said Donaire. “He wanted to try something different because nothing was working. So he tried to box Manny out. But as we saw, that didn’t work either. He was too tired and battered to keep Manny away. The referee (Kenny Bayless) did the right thing in stopping it.”
Regarding his own fight plans, Donaire said he’s booked to return to the ring on Feb. 13 in Las Vegas, probably at the Hilton.
“I still don’t know whom I’m fighting and at what weight,” said Donaire. “I have no preference. Even if I call out Vic Darchinyan or (IBF bantamweight champion) Yonnhy Perez or (WBO bantamweight titlist) Fernando Montiel, it won’t mean a thing. I don’t care whom I fight. For a lot of fighters, it’s a business. For me, it’s just boxing. I’ll fight whomever my promoter (Bob Arum) and my manager (Cameron Dunkin) put in front of me. I can fight at 115 or 118 pounds.”
Donaire began working out at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, near his home in San Mateo, last Sunday.
A possibility is for Donaire to take Z Gorres’ place as Montiel’s challenger in the Feb. 13 card.
“I’m just waiting for confirmation at this point,” he said. “If they make it happen, I’ll be there ready to go. We’re all praying for Gorres’ recovery. He’s one of us. He’s a great guy and a great fighter. If I take his place against Montiel, I’ll dedicate the fight to him. I’ve been told that my opponent will be known in a few days.”
