Pacquiao knocked Cotto down once in the third round and again in the fourth, pummeled him repeatedly and easily lifted the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt from the Puerto Rican with a 12th-round stoppage. The time was 55 seconds into the final round, as referee Kenny Bayless leaped between the fighters to save Cotto a more savage beating and ignominious end.
Cotto came out strong and landed some hard punches, but Cotto couldn’t deal with the speed. Pacquiao was landing three shots for every two Cotto did early. After the knockdown in the fourth, Cotto’s offense was nonexistent as he spent most of the last two thirds of the fight fending off Pacquiao’s onslaught.
Cotto landed in single digits in power shots in every round from the fifth forward.
Pacquiao nearly had the stoppage after the 11th when Cotto trainer Joe Santiago walked onto the ring apron and waved his hand at Bayless.
It appeared he was going to stop the fight, but then Bayless and ringside physician James Game spoke and allowed it to continue. It was only extending the misery as Pacquiao poured it on in the 12th.
When the fight ended, the crowd began to chant, “We want Floyd!” It was a reference to Floyd Mayweather Jr., the other man with a claim to the top of the boxing pound-for-pound list.
Pacquiao, who has won championship belts in five divisions and beat the linear champion in two others, can no longer be knocked as a small man who was beating washed up fighters.
In Cotto, he took on an elite and powerful welterweight whose only loss came under suspicious circumstances to Antonio Margarito last year. There is suspicion that Margarito’s gloves were loaded for that fight, though it has never been proven.
But Pacquiao proved he was able to not only take a welterweight punch, but rock him repeatedly. It was a magnificent performance and will create public demand for a fight with Mayweather.
“I want to see him fight Mayweather,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said.
Santiago said Pacquiao hit harder and was stronger than expected. Cotto injured his left shoulder in the eighth.
Below are some pictures from the fight:
Manny Pacquiao reaches with a left at Miguel Cotto.
Manny Pacquiao connects with a right to the head of Miguel Cotto
Miguel Cotto throws a right to the head of Manny Pacquiao
Miguel Cotto is knocked down in the third round by Manny Pacquiao
Miguel Cotto takes a count from referee Kenny Bayless after being knocked down in the second round
Referee Kenny Bayless directs Manny Pacquiao to his corner after Miguel Cotto was knocked down in the fourth round
Manny Pacquiao lands a right to the head of Miguel Cotto
Manny Pacquiao is worked on in his corner
Miguel Cotto takes a breath in his corner
Manny Pacquiao hammers Miguel Cotto against the ropes
The face of Miguel Cotto shows the effect of the punches of Manny Pacquiao
Referee Kenny Bayless stops the fight in the 12th round
Manny Pacquiao celebrates his WBO welterweight boxing title win against Miguel Cotto
Manny Pacquiao celebrates at the finish of his WBO welterweight boxing title fight against Miguel Cotto
Here's a recap of Saturday's action.
Pacquiao comes out to "Eye of the Tiger" with a big grin on his face. Cotto looks far more measured, entering to a rap song. His face tells the story of a man who knows he's in the biggest fight of his life.
Crowd seems to be evenly split of supporters for each fighter.
Round 1
Both fighters were pretty cautious. Cotto is landing his jab effectively and so far Pacquiao's speed isn't a problem for Cotto.
Pacquiao's swarming style didn't bother Cotto and Cotto is clearly the stronger fighter.
Round 2
Pacquiao opens up the offense, landing plenty of combinations. Cotto's jab is still effective, but he didn't throw enough. However, Cotto was able to handle Pacquiao's power, walking through clean shots.
Round 3
Pacquiao continues landing combinations, and knocks Cotto down early as Cotto's gloves touch the canvas.
But, Cotto rallies well, landing big shots on Pacquiao. I wonder if Pacquiao can continue to take Cotto's best shots as the fight wears on.
Round 4
Cotto applies the pressure, trying to avenge the knock down. He works over Pacquiao on the ropes for much of the round.
Pacquiao escapes and flurries. He lands a big left that knocks Cotto down again. This time Cotto's whole body hits the canvas. Cotto is lucky there were less than 10 seconds left as he gets up and survives the round.
Round 5
Pacquiao's movement is giving him plenty of opportunities to land. However, Cotto is still landing hard, clean shots -- driving Pacquiao into the ropes as well.
Even though Pacquiao's ahead, there's still a sense that one big punch can turn this around.
Round 6
Now Pacquiao is stalking Cotto. I can't believe it. Pacquiao is landing power punches at will.
Cotto just is not throwing his jab enough to keep Pacquiao off him. Late in the round Pacquiao hurts Cotto with another big left. But, Cotto flurries to end the round. Pacquiao has now taken over the fight.
Round 7
Cotto looks like a beaten fighter. He isn't throwing enough and Pacquiao is landing some big shots.
Instead of using the jab that won him the first round, Cotto is looking to counter. But, there aren't many opportunities for good counter shots.
Cotto isn't even landing the hard shots he was earlier.
Round 8
Cotto is now being chased to the ropes. He looks fatigued. Pacquiao is hurting him now.
Pacquiao doesn't even appear to be worried about Cotto's strength. Pacquiao is putting on a spectacular performance.
Round 9
Pacquiao appears to be on the verge of a KO. Cotto is now holding Pacquiao after every big shot. I can't believe Pacquiao's strength at 145.
Cotto's face is bloodied and his will looks to be equally as damaged.
Round 10
A better effort from Cotto in this round. He threw more jabs and actually used some footwork.
However, Pacquiao seemed to take much of the round off. Still, he looked like he still won the round with his controlled frenzies.
Round 11
Cotto just wants to finish the fight. Pacquiao is landing big shots in the corner midway through the round, but Cotto escapes.
Cotto gets on his bicycle and the crowd boos. I think they don't know he's in the ring with perhaps the best fighter of his generation.
Round 12
Cotto doesn't look inclined to fight and Pacquiao is frustrated. However, Pacquiao chases him down and after a big flurry, the referee steps in and stops the fight.
Pacquiao wins by TKO.
Source: sports.yahoo.com, FOXSports.com
