Cotto vs. Pacquiao – Three Reasons the Fight Won’t Disappoint

By Will Cruz: Much has been said about the upcoming clash between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Many predictions, many analysis, and many heated debates among fans of both. All boxing fans are looking forward to this instant classic and all can agree that it will be an electrifying night of boxing action. If you were still planning to get tickets to Vegas for this one, sorry my friend, it’s probably too late.

Only hours after the tickets went on sale last week, all except the pricier tickets had already been sold out. Those that were lucky enough to get tickets will have the experience of a lifetime. I have written several articles about this fight in the last few weeks, and it’s because there is no other fight right now that can bring the kind of excitement, buzz, and international attention that this fight has to offer. The event is labeled “Firepower”; I could not think of a better title.
Aside from what most fans already know about the kind of fighters Cotto and Pacquiao are, there are three main reasons why I can say with assurance that this fight will live up to all of its expectations.

1. Passion- We know both fighters have more heart than most, but they also have a passion for what they do, unlike many other boxers who are self proclaimed greats. They truly love the sport, and respect it so much, that they are willing to put their lives on the line to face off against each other. Many people know that this will be Pacquiao’s biggest challenge of his career, but the same can be said of Cotto. He has never faced someone with the perfect combination of speed and power that Manny has. A lethal combination, that has produced excellent results. That along with Manny’s punching angles, will surely give Cotto trouble. The passion that both guys have for winning, will be shown on November 14.

2. Pride- It’s no secret that both Manny and Miguel are very proud fighters. I admire both because they are as real as they come. They fight for their pride first, but also for the pride of an entire country. I can only imagine what the buzz will be like on the streets of Philippines and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has always been a special place for boxing. Boxing has given the Puerto Rican fans many, many great champions. If you sit down with any Puerto Rican and begin a conversation about boxing, it’s a conversation that can go on for a long time. These guys don’t like to lose, they don’t want t let themselves down, and surely don’t want to let down the thousands of fans that hold them to such high standards.

3. Legacy- Both these guys have put themselves in a position to determine what their legacy will be after they hang up the gloves. Both have had great careers thus far, but this will be a defining moment for both. The winner of this fight will not only set himself up for a potential fight with the “Pretty Boy”, but will solidify himself as the best P4P fighter in the sport. No excuses. Both guys have lost before, and both have had to deal with doubt after loses that could have derailed their careers. However, both of these champions have fought back to what potentially can be their best performance.

When both fighters face off for the referee instructions, fans of both fighters will be as passionate as these two guys. When the bell rings, all of these questions will begin to be answered. Who has more passion? How has more pride? And who will establish their legacy as one of the greatest?

Questions that I don’t mind answered all on that night. No more waiting around for big mouths to claim how great they are, and not more waiting for promoters to make the best fights happen in spite of their own agendas. This is it, a fight that I believe fans will be talking about for a long time. And if it comes down to a war where these questions are still unanswered, then I think we will see part two of what will become an instant rivalry. Stay tuned, these three months couldn’t go by any faster.

Source: boxingnews24.com