Another One Bites the Dust

With his usual assortment of fast, powerful punches, Manny Pacquiao gradually wore down a very game Miguel Cotto, winning by TKO in the 12th round. While Cotto scored well in the early going, the fight turned in the 3rd round when Pacquiao scored a flash knockdown with a short right hook. Cotto rallied in the 4th, only to be floored again by a crushing left uppercut from Pacquiao. By round 6, the fight had become rather one-sided and by round 8, Cotto's face was turning into a swollen, bloody mess. The ending was rather anti-climactic, as the viewing audience waited for several rounds to see exactly how the stoppage would occur. The Doctor? Cotto's corner? The referee? Finally, it was Referee Kenny Bayless who stopped the fight early in the 12th after a huge left from Pacquiao landed flush on Cotto's damaged face. Pacquiao makes his case as the game's greatest fighter with this impressive win and the stage has certainly been set for a potentially epic match-up between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Most importantly, the win gives Joel M's Hurricane Candlebox Option A: 2, Option B: 3 and Option C: 20!

Pacquiao's Greatest Test

Although some might argue that Pacquiao's previous fights against the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton were his biggest tests, I have to disagree. Miguel Cotto, at 29 years old with record of 34-1, has been at or near the top of the welterweight division for 3 years. He has wins over 4 welterweight champions (Quintana, Judah, Mosley and Clottey) with his only loss coming to the heavy-handed Antonio Margarito. In hindsight, there is ample reason to believe that Margarito's hands that night were especially heavy, given his trainer's history of adding plaster to his gloves. Perhaps Cotto's only defeat would have been another victory if the fight had taken place on a level playing field.

Therefore, I believe that Miguel Cotto will greatly test Manny Pacquiao tonight. Pacquiao's other fights at or above 140 lbs were the De La Hoya and Hatton matches. One could arguably say that both fighters were past their prime and way too easily hit. Hatton looked completely outclassed within the first round. De La Hoya's greatest accomplishment was staying off of the canvas. Cotto is younger, faster and better than both Hatton and De La Hoya. What will this mean for the fight?

For weeks I have been thinking that Pacquiao is going to win by stoppage sometime around the 6th round. But as the fight draws closer, I'm starting to think that I've underestimated what Cotto is going to be throwing at the Pac man. Manny was able to tee off on Hatton because there wasn't very much coming back at him. Cotto will be throwing, and he'll be landing. Both fighters are capable of knocking each other down in my opinion. There exists the possibility that Cotto will simply be too strong and too comparable in speed for Pacquiao to win. Cotto's best chance for victory would seem to involve using a powerful body attack and sharp boxing skills. Is he capable of this? Yes.

At the end of the day, however, it's not just about Cotto and what he's capable of. Pacquiao will be bringing his best as well. So far, there has been no rival for Pacquiao's speed. There have really only been 3 fights where Pacquiao has been hit a lot - the 2 fights with Marquez and the first fight with Morales. Pacquiao is usually able to overwhelm opponents with fast combinations and great foot movement while avoiding punishment himself. I believe he will be able to do this again. The deciding factor in the fight, I believe, will be Cotto's defensive problems. Cotto has been hit a lot in several fights, including his last one against Joshua Clottey. I believe Pacquiao will hit Cotto even more tonight. For entertainment purposes, I hope Cotto can win some rounds, but I'm still picking Pacquiao, by 9th round stoppage.

The Giant gets outpointed; Bad Chad wins; STANDINGS

In a compelling heavyweight title matchup, former Cruiserweight (200 lb) champion David Haye bulked up to 218 lbs to face WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolay Valuev. Although the 7-foot, 316 lb Valuev was occasionally successful with jabs, according to reports it was Haye who controlled the fight and even rocked Valuev in the final round. The fight was mostly non-combative and difficult to score. The judges' verdict read 114-114, 116-112 Haye and 116-112 Haye. Valuev, of Jay's Head Hunters, suffers a loss.

BWhit's Death is Forming sent Chad Dawson into the ring with Glen Johnson for a 2nd time last night. Johnson, at 40 years old, finally showed some slowness and timing problems as he ineffectively stalked Dawson for 12 rounds. Dawson's boxing performance was solid but unspectacular. Dawson earns: Option A: 1, Option B: 2 and Option C: 16 with the win.

STANDINGS

1. JoelB- Ready to Rumble (5-0, 4 KOs)

2. BWhit- Death is Forming (3-0, 1 KO)

3. Mark - Knuckle Sandwich (3-0, 1 KO)

4. Jay- Head Hunters (3-1, 2 KOs)

5. JoelM- Hurricane Candlebox (2-1, 1 KO)

6. Andrew-Sweet Chin Music (1-0-1, 0 KO)

The Head Hunters add a victory

In a somewhat unusual match-up, Undisputed Cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek (38-1) battled his Polish countryman Andrew Golota (41-7) in a heavyweight bout. According to reports, Adamek started strong, dropping Golota in the 1st. Golota rallied in the 3rd, but was floored again in the 5th with the fight stopped moments later. Jay's Head Hunters move to 3-0 with 2 KOs and Adamek gains Option A: 2, Option B: 1.5 and Option C: 19.

So far, the combined record of all fighters drafted in our fantasy boxing league is 16-1-1.

Arthur Abraham KOs Jermain Taylor; Joel visits Canastota

In weekend action, Arthur Abraham (of BWhit's Death is Forming stable) KO'd Jermain Taylor in the waning moments of the 12th round. Abraham earns Option A: 2, Option B: 3, and Option C: 19 with the victory. Death is Forming moves to 2-0.

In a battle of free agents, Carl Froch edged Andre Dirrell by split decision. Fans and pundits are divided on the results although most seemed to favor Dirrell. I have yet to see the fight so my opinion will wait. Froch moves to 26-0 and is a quality waiver wire option, as is Dirrell who moved to 18-1.

But the main story of the weekend was perhaps yours truly's unplanned visit to the boxing hall of fame in Canastota NY, where I struck an unthreatening southpaw pose and saw some cool stuff, including the actual ring from Madison Square Garden. Go boxing.

League Update; Standings and Schedule

In featherweight action last night, Yuriorkis Gamboa easily dispatched of Whyber Garcia in the 4th round. The lack of opponent quality hurts Joel's Ready to Rumble squad a bit in the scoring, but Gamboa picks up Option A: 2, Option B: 1.5 and Option C: 17.

In the evening's main event, Juan Manuel Lopez (27-0) of Puerto Rico had a difficult time with the rugged Rogers Mtagwa. Lopez prevailed by unanimous decision, but one judge had it 114-113. Lopez earns Option A: 1, Option B: 0.5 and Option C: 16

Current Standings:

1st.......Ready to Rumble (5-0, 4 KOs) Option A: 9, Option B: 8, Option C: 85

2nd......Sweet Scientist (3-0, 1 KO) Option A: 4, Option B: 4.5, Option C: 46

3rd.......Head Hunters (2-0, 1 KO) Option A: 3, Option B: 2.5, Option C: 32

4th....Hurricane Candlebox (2-1, 1 KO), Option A: 2, Option B: 0, Option C: 34

5th......Sweet Chin Music (1-0-1, 0 KO), Option A: 1, Option B: 1, Option C: 19

6th......Death is Forming (1-0, 0 KO) Option A: 1, Option B: 1, Option C: 16

*************UPCOMING FIGHTS**********************

Arthur Abraham vs Jermain Taylor........Oct 17 (BWhit looks for a win)

Carl Froch vs Andre Dirrell.....................Oct 17

Tomasz Adamek vs Andrew Golota........Oct 24 (Jay looking for a win)

Nikolay Valuev vs David Haye.................Nov 7 (Jay looking for a win)

Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson.................Nov 7 (BWhit looks for a win)

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto.........Nov 14 (Mesiti looks for a win)

Mikkel Kessler vs Andre Ward...............Nov 21 (JoelB vs Mesiti HIGH STAKES)

Roy Jones vs Danny Green.......................Dec 2

Bernard Hopkins vs Enrique Ornelas.......Dec 2

Paul Williams vs Kelly Pavlik...................Dec 5 (BWhit looking for a huge win)

December 5 - IT'S ON