Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is the undisputed 140 pound champion and P4P King. Six time champion in five divisions and winning a record breaking four lineal championship in the process.
Awarded two time Boxer of the Year by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America. He was included in the Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People and in the Top six Sports Money Earner of Forbes.
Recently he was chosen as the Best Fighter at the ESPYs.
He practically ended the career of future Hall-of-Famers, boxing greats, and box office kings: Oscar dela Hoya, Eric Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Ricky Hatton. He was involved in two of the most memorable and controversial bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez.
A date in the ring with Pacquiao would be the ultimate dream of almost any boxer today.
However, Pacman's current negotiation with WBO Welterweight Champion, Miguel Cotto, for their upcoming November fight earned an unprecedented criticism from Pachaters and Pacfans alike.
Here's what they're saying about the 143 catch weight that Team Pacqiao is insisting:
"What would beating-up a reluctant and drained Cotto at 143 do? He's already the Pound-For-Pound king, why would he want to be called the Drain-Your-Pounds King?"—Dennis Guillermo
"If Pacquiao is really the one insisting that he won’t fight Miguel Cotto above 143 pounds, then he should be ashamed. If he’s the force behind this silly argument, then he is taking the “Man” out of “Manny.”...It demeans Pacquiao, especially his well earned status as the world’s best pound for fighter, to be quibbling over two measly pounds concerning this Nov. 14 bout. Does Pacman wish to look like a bully outside of the ring? Methinks not but he is."—Michael Marley
"First thing's first, Miguel Cotto , at 143 pounds, could be no better than a scarecrow. The next question is what does Pacquiao achieve if he crushes a slow, hollow foe?"—Recah Trinidad
"One pound difference will benefit Pacquiao a whole lot more than it will Cotto. The whole issue of the catch weight is Roach trying to kill Cotto as much as possible for the fight."—Lord Hughey Windsor-Sanchez
..."Cotto is predisposed to have special problems if he forces his body to reduce its weight beyond what is acceptable (and he believes it's 145 lbs). Perhaps, other boxers could do it. But not Cotto. Let us leave it at that and Pacman should look for other boxers."—dragonslayerGH
"A catch weight is definitely designed to help Pacquiao. That's the entire issue...the only purpose is to make it hard for Cotto. Drain him down in training, so he is weaker in the fight."—Capt. Fantabulous
"As for the 143 lbs. catch weight stance, I don't think it's all promotional, unless the real intention is to make Pacquiao look like a weight-draining coward cause it's working on me already. I think 145lbs. is even enough for Pacquiao. He shouldn't be demanding any more lower than that."—Victor
All of these comments point to one thing—Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto is a mismatch at a catch weight of 143 lbs. They are one in saying that the said catch weight will favor the P4P King and drain all of the energy of Cotto come fight night.
Then my question is—Why make the fight in the first place?
Manny Pacquiao, lest we forget, is the current Biggest Box Office draw. Boxers are lining up to have a shot of him. He is legit with or without the Cotto fight. Cotto needs Pacman rather than the King of the Ring needs Cotto.
Why the above writers insist that they should fight at 145 lbs. to make it fair? Make it fair with whom? You want to force the 140 lbs. champ to fight plus-five lbs. to the 147 lbs. champ's minus-two lbs...and you call it fair?
Fact is, Pacman can rule the 140 division for a long time and make his millions (billions in pesos) without forcing anyone to go down in weight. A Pacquiao fight with anybody will pack any Las Vegas venue and is a guaranteed one million-plus PPV buys.
Can Cotto match that?
Bob Arum is the culprit in insisting this mismatch to happen. Uncle Bob is protecting his interest by offering Miguel Cotto his biggest payday for him to remain in his stable.
From this writer's end, Manny Pacquiao, is not too eager in fighting Cotto at all. What will it prove anyway?
All boxing experts know that this fight is nothing but a tune up for the most awaited boxing match of our time—Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. That's the real deal. That's the negotiation that matters.
As a tune up, Pacquiao should fight legit 140 champions or up-and-coming great warriors such as Amir Khan, Valero, Juan Manuel Lopez, Maidana, or even Kingkong Agbeko; instead of the ungrateful Miguel Cotto.
Source: bleacherreport.com
well, well said.
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