Manny Pacquiao in 2009: A Short Glance

December 15th, 2009

As the year winds down to its last days, let us take a look back at the road Manny Pacquiao took en route in this year towards his much anticipated career-defining fight (and perhaps his last) opposite former Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather.

May 2, 2009 – Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton (140lbs)

In his second bout above 135, Pacquiao easily dismantled the top dog of the junior welterweight division. Coming off an impressive win against boxing legend and future Hall of Famer Oscar dela Hoya (who retired shortly after their fight), many predicted Pacquiao to be on the losing end in this bout, saying that he is going up against an elite fighter in the division where he is still untested.

Pacquiao proved his doubters wrong when he decked Hatton twice in the first round and completely sent him to dreamland in the next, wringing from the Manchester-native the IBO junior welterweight and Ring light welterweight titles.

Memorable quotes

                “Same move every time.” – Ricky Hatton

                “I am the greatest trainer of all time. Not this time, not that time, but of all time.” –Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

November 13, 2009 – Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto (147lbs)

In a fight billed as Firepower, both men literally let their hands ablaze and pummeled each other with everything they got in the first four rounds. That is until Cotto got knocked down in the third and the fourth stanzas by sneaky punches coming from weird angles.

Significant number of analysts and boxing figures, including Emmanuel Steward, Paulie Malignaggi, and Roger Mayweather, said Pacquiao will be chomping more than he could chew here. A true welter, Cotto is known as a power puncher. His shots do have some pop as he managed to bust Pacquiao’s eardrum.

However, it was Pacquiao who prevailed in this fight, forcing Cotto to retreat rather than engage the smaller man. Using his speed and superior boxing skills, Pacquiao dominated the Puerto Rican for majority of the fight, Battered and bruised, Cotto was handed his defeat after referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to the bout 55 seconds into the final round, giving Pacquiao the WBO welterweight championship.

In the process, Pacquiao became the first and only boxer to win seven titles in seven different weight classes.

Memorable quotes

                “I don’t know where his punches are coming from.” – Miguel Cotto

                “We want Floyd!” – MGM audience

Pacquiao’s victory over Cotto has finally forced the young Mayweather in a position where he can’t refuse to face the Filipino. With their match still in the oven, fight fans can only hope and pray that we get a fight we have been wanting for so long.

More of my boxing ramblings at Boxers’ Camp.