STILL ON the subject of the Cotto-Pacquiao bout, Last Rounder Joel Echavez shot me a very lengthy e-mail pointing out that while our “Pambansang Kamao” was his usual sensational self, Cotto should also be given credit for putting up a hell of a fight and for displaying true sportsmanship:
“Every newspaper I read, it’s all about how Manny demolished Miguel Cotto. But what really got my attention was when the ref stopped the fight, Cotto just listened to the ref’s explanation. While Manny knelt in prayer, he was approached by Miguel and both fighters hugged and congratulated each other.
“It was a perfect display of sportsmanship and I was truly impressed with Cotto. Other fighters make excuses and throw all kinds of hissy fits to deflect a loss, but Miguel was very humble in defeat. Even before the fight, he gave Manny a lot of respect and never talked trash.
I hope you guys could write about Miguel being a great welterweight warrior and a humble sportsman. There are people out there, who continue to make fun of him. Miguel needs to get the respect he deserves as well. Those people who call themselves ‘boxing devotees’ and ‘boxing experts,’ really need to know who Miguel Cotto is.”
Most definitely, Joel. Miguel made a strong statement in that fight-and by virtue of that exemplary performance and sterling display of showmanship–people who do not respect Miguel Cotto have no business referring to themselves as boxing experts.
Boxing is a dangerous sport and the person who makes fun of a losing fighter does not know whereof he speaks.
COMPARISON. Manny had to dig down deep in order to pull out that win. In his sojourn through several weight classes, the Pacman had never truly been tested enough.
Unlike the David Diaz and the Oscar de la Hoya fights where you could already predict the pattern by the third round, this time around, the outcome was still in doubt in the middle rounds, despite Manny scoring knockdowns in the third and fourth.
The Ricky Hatton fight? Nah. Even now, I have a hard time referring to that as a fight. Ricky fell down like he had been shot in the second round.
Cotto lived up to a proud Puerto Rican boxing tradition. He fell down but he got up. The fight ended with him on his feet. Yes, he was defeated but he was unbowed.
DAMAGE. Truth be told, if we were to use damage as our metric, to date he will be regarded as Manny’s toughest opponent.
After the fight, they had to drain fluid from Manny’s left ear to prevent what is referred to mixed martial arts as the “cauliflower ear effect.” The areas around his eyes were swollen and he had a visible cut on his lips
Sure, Erik Morales defeated Manny fair and square, but Manny still looked fresh after the fight and the cut was caused by a headbutt.
Juan Manuel Marquez may have given Manny fits, but the record books will forever attest that he has yet to score a win. And Manny looked none the worse for wear in both fights.
OFFENSE BEATS DEFENSE. Speaking of Marquez, my esteemed compa?ero Atty. Emmanuel Gimarino, who is currently the Regional Register of Deeds of the Land Registration Authority in Cebu City, graciously showed to this writer a scrapbook containing memoirs of the Pacquiao-Marquez II fight which he saw live at Las Vegas in March last year.
I had to excuse myself several times as I drooled over the pictures he showed me.
Regarding the proposed Mayweather-Pacquiao match-up, “Butch” as he is fondly called by friends and family predicts a Pacquiao win if the fight goes to the judges.
Offense beats defense, in terms of appreciating one’s performance, Butch rationalizes.
LAST ROUND. It’s on Atty. Ferdinand “Bobong” Pepito who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
