Manny made history yesterday’s fight held at the MGM Grand Arena in a technical knockout victory against the Puerto Rican fighter, Miguel “Angel” Cotto.
Millions of Filipinos were glued to their TV sets just to witness the momentous event. For every punch that landed on Cotto’s face comes the deafening cheer of the crowd.
Pacquiao made history yesterday in boxing. Yes, he is a legend. Manny Pacquiao, the once poor boy from General Santos City, South Cotabato in the Philippines, got his seventh title after yesterday’s win (and he’s the first to do such feat).
Well, after-fight analyses were given by Filipino boxing analysts here and Pacquiao, according to them, was just amazing. He came into the ring very much prepared and was in his top shape.
On the first two rounds, Cotto was the one who bombarded Pacquiao with his signature left jabs little did he know that the challenger, Pacquiao, was just measuring his speed. It can be noted that Cotto was already releasing his bombs to the face of Pac-Man.
But the surprise came in the third round where a hook coming from nowhere landed to Cotto’s face which made him kneel to the canvas. Referee Kenny Bayless was alert for counting the fall as a knockdown, but ofcourse, the champion got up.
On the fourth round, Filipinos all over rejoiced on Cotto’s second knockdown. It can be noticed that Cotto already succumb to Pacquiao’s speed and power. Cotto’s face was badly cut and beaten but still he managed to continue the fight.
After the fifth and sixth round, it can be noticed that Manny does his version of “rope-a-dope” tactic which was used in the past by Muhammad Ali. He does this by just guarding his face with his arms while he curls his body for defense. This tactic was described by analysts as dangerous because it means that Pacquiao will be beaten and punched by Cotto at his will, yet, Pacquiao was unscathed not hurt by doing so which simply implied that he can take the Champion’s punches.
The demoralized Cotto switched stance in the seventh and eighth round, hoping to get his second wind, yet failed to do so because of the Pac-Man’s pressure. According to some news, it was noted that Cotto’s wife already left in between these rounds because she can’t stand to watch his hubby being beaten by the Filipino fighter.
Cotto then, “rode his bicycle” on the later rounds definitely, just to prevent Pacquiao from making his combinations and for him to just finish the match. Cotto was not responding to Pac-man’s punches anymore. Cotto’s cornermen were already telling him to stop and surrender the fight to prevent further beatings from the six-time world champion. But Cotto was hardheaded and just backpedaled and backpedaled until the twelfth round.
Fifty-five seconds after the twelfth round, Pacquiao once again tagged Cotto to the ropes. Seeing that Cotto was not responding already and just mere dodging the punches, Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight.
It was a glorious night for Manny and the Filipino people.
The Pac-Man is an example of strength, courage, and determination.
Congratulations, Manny! Mabuhay ka!
