Miguel Cotto has lost battles physically and emotionally throughout the years. A scarred warrior who refused to give up or give in, this is what he is made of. This has been his way in going through all the pain…one fight at a time, one step closer to redemption.

Losing has slowly become his ally. It was through losing battles that he found a way to win a war. His first loss to Antonio Margarito ended in controversy, and his beating against the hands of Manny Pacquiao was life-threatening.

But it was a process that he has to go through in order to be what he is now. The pains of losing his biggest battles are the ones that mold him to be a great fighter.

And now Miguel is reaping the fruits of his labor, his reward—Floyd Mayweather Jr.

This is his definitive battle, and this would be his ultimate redemption. This is the part where he is nearing the finish line, one last push and one last dash before raising his arms in victory.

However, everybody knows that this is not an easy battle. His battered face and inflicted wounds are now gone, but it still left a scar to remind him of those wars. Floyd’s masterful mind certainly knows that one punch could bring back old memories.

On Cotto’s second defeat, he had a hard time adjusting after he was hit by Pacquiao’s left hook that made him back-pedal for most of the fight.

His first loss came in a brutal fashion against Antonio Margarito that brought Cotto’s invincibility cloak down, whether if it as due to loaded hands or not. Everything created a different kind of muscle memory that becomes the ghost in the past that will always come to haunt him.

That is why his TKO victory against Margarito last year was very crucial on his career path. However, he was battling a fighter who is a shadow of his former self, after Pacquiao battered Margarito in a fight that resulted in a broken orbital bone.

This has become the most important fight for Miguel Cotto. This would define his legacy—how well he bounces back after all his adversities.

Miguel’s calm demeanor can be attributed to a duck who swims peacefully on a pond. Tranquil on the outside but its foot is struggling on the inside. However, no matter the struggle, a duck will always stay afloat because it’s accustomed to fighting back.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. might have chosen the wrong opponent. Miguel Cotto is tired of being bullied; he is tired of being underestimated. This is his time, and after all the struggles…he is now fighting back.

Article also posted on Bleacher Report

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We all heard about a story of a young Filipino fighter who fought his way up and won titles in return. The unprecedented eight different weight division titles were a feat no one could ever replicate in this lifetime.

Manny Pacquiao has done it, and he has paved the way for aspiring fighters. He made it possible─ from the slums to the bright city lights of Las Vegas.

Nonito Donaire, who had recently won his fourth weight division title against the sturdy Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., is certainly on the right track. The Filipino flash had his eyes set on winning titles all the way to the light-weight division.

Four years before, people would laugh at the thought of a fighter in the lower weight, knocking out bigger oppositions and collecting belts on his way up. Pacquiao did it and Nonito with his skills and knockout power had followed Manny’s footsteps and had so far been successful in his quest.

Four down and hopefully four more to go, which means after his acid test in the super bantamweight division, he will move up to featherweight, super featherweight, light weight and light welterweight which is 20 pounds bigger than his fighting weight now.

So Nonito would be on collision course with Yuriorkis Gamboa, Juan Manuel Lopez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley and a lot more hard-hitting fighters.

You would have to think about how will Nonito handle everything? How would he handle the bigger fighters without injuring his hands again? Questions will have to be answered with more questions…

Will Nonito make his own unprecedented eight? Yes and no.

Manny Pacquiao is an anomaly, a fighter that fought in the minimum weight who had an 8-inch wrist similar to Mike Tyson and Joe Louis. (Pacquiao’s wrist) It just goes to show why he carried that power all the way to super welterweight without getting his hands injured.

Donaire on the other hand, generates so much power and force on his size that the impact usually leaves his hands getting injured. It needs to be corrected, but he also needs to fight smarter.

In his fight with Vazquez, he could have dominated him easily, but he was so keen on giving everybody a good fight that he always looks for a knockout. It did come in the ninth round, but his left hand was already injured and bloodied.

Going back to the question…would he make his own eight division world titles? Yes, if he fights smarter and no, if he doesn’t.

However, Nonito doesn’t have to follow Pacquiao. He doesn’t need to create his own pressure. He is equally great and he already made his own legacy.

Muhammad Ali says it better: “I know where I’m going, and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.”

Nonito Donaire’s legacy will always be his…we don’t create directions for other people. They are free to choose their own paths.

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Manny Pacquiao won a majority decision against Juan Manuel Marquez last Saturday night. However, the fight that dubbed as “the decision” still came out short on living up to its name. The fight still ended with a controversial conclusion and instead of ending with an answer to their two previous bouts it still ends up with many questions left unanswered.

Manny fought a controlled aggression and fought on Marquez’s game plan. Manny was fighting mainly on spurts while Marquez came out with a good battle plan. He was fighting Manny on a distance and once Manny goes in. Juanma counter punches his way out. It was a problem from their two previous bouts, and it seems Manny doesn’t have any solution to it.

He fought on a pace where a 38-year-old Marquez could easily cope with.

So I guess Marquez has already imprinted a clear blue print on how to defeat Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. who fought Marquez’s way back in 2009 with a clear unanimous decision, can clearly take advantaged on Pacquiao’s weaknesses.

Floyd, who is a master defensive artist and a good counter puncher, got the right tools to outpoint Manny. If Marquez can consistently land straight right hands to Pacquiao, then I don’t see Floyd having a problem in landing his own right hand.

The people and the world have been calling for a Floyd and Manny’s anticipated matchup. But for a million and one reasons all talks have been stalled because of differences on both camps. Maybe this time this would be an indication that this fight will really happen.

The ground work has already been laid down for Floyd and with a guaranteed $20 million or more; it’s a no-brainer.

Floyd can give Manny lots of problems. If Marquez is a jigsaw puzzle, then Floyd is a never-ending maze.

Many questioned Pacquiao’s win against Marquez. It was a close fight, and even though there were no knockdowns in the fight. It can still go either way. The difference is that Manny had the edge on power shots (117-100 according to CompuBox). However, I do think Marquez has done enough to win the fight.

Pacquiao escaped with a win. But I don’t think he can do a Houdini against Floyd. There is still enough room for improvement. The fighter with a good battle plan always goes to war confident and prepared. It’s time to go back to the drawing board.

When questions are left answered logically you look for good solutions. Marquez deserves a rematch with Pacquiao. However, with Marquez contemplating on retirement after his breaking loss with Pacquiao (http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/170141-marquez-mulls-retirement-after-another-controversial-loss-to-pacquiao) it looks like the battle between Floyd and Manny is looming to happen.

Will it ever happen? Questions… questions… I hope this time; there would be a definite answer.

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They say it comes in threes… And now Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will slug it out for the third and final time.
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They say it comes in threes… And now Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will slug it out for the third and final time.
Download now their HBO 24/7 initial episode in high definition

Episode 2: https://rapidshare.com/files/2253620928/24.7.Pacquiao.Marquez.2.avi

Episode 3: https://rapidshare.com/files/1655991174/24.7.Pacquiao.Marquez.3.avi

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The yin and yang of boxing, Manny Pacquiao’s best battle may have been against Juan Manuel Marquez.

But so many doubts and questions were left unanswered.
Manny took over boxing after his last rematch with Marquez. He conquered greater heights and has been boxing’s pound-for-pound king.
Marquez didn’t do badly, either, winning against Juan Diaz twice and Michael Katsidis.
However, it has been almost four years, since he fought Pacquiao. The gap is so wide, and Manny has slowly developed into a complete fighter.
The contrast in styles makes it still intriguing to watch their third encounter.
Expect all-out offense against slick counter-punching.

Pacquiao, who fights in the welterweight division, naturally becomes the bigger fighter compared to Marquez.
However, looking at the table, there aren’t extreme physical advantages to be had.

Juan Manuel Marquez has the bigger chest, biceps and fists compared to Pacquiao. However, Pacquiao’s wrists are Manny’s vital advantage, not just against Marquez but all his opponents.
He has the wrists of a heavyweight fighter.
Mike Tyson and Joe Louis, who were knockout punchers, were fighters in their prime. Both fighters had eight-inch wrists, the same as Manny.Wladimir Klitschko only has a 7.5-inch wrist, so basically Pacquiao is very unusual, especially as a former 105-pounder.

Juan Manuel Marquez Style

Jab
Juan Manuel Marquez’s jab may be underrated, but he throws a very good one. Even Freddie Roach has acknowledged Marquez is one of the best jabbers in the world (http://www.boxingscene.com/roach-pacquiao-style-changes-marquezs-jab–44251).
It’s clearly an element in Marquez’s arsenal.
Uppercut
We saw how Marquez dismantled Juan Diaz with a left uppercut that opened a bad cut on Diaz’s right eyelid. It was also a right uppercut that finished Diaz.The uppercut may not be Marquez’s bread and butter, but it can be equally effective as his jab.
Pacquiao’s chin will most likely withstand Marquez’s uppercut. If he knocks Pacquiao out, it definitely won’t be because of Manny’s chin.
Defense
Juan Manuel Marquez prides himself on counter-punching. It’s his best defense against opponents who move forward.
However, Manny Pacquiao’s movements are more calculated now. Marquez will have to do more than counter-punch.
He needs to up the ante. He needs to frustrate Manny, then go for the kill. He needs to fight a Josh Clottey-style defense until Manny opens up.

Manny Pacquiao Style

Jab
We all know this is not Manny’s top arsenal. He is not an outside fighter like Lennox Lewis, Felix Trinidad or the Klitschko brothers.
But this has become Manny’s unheralded weapon. Freddie Roach has done a superb job in refining Manny’s jab. The new Manny goes to attack with a jab, then follows with deadly combinations. Before, he would just brawl.
This was essential when he moved from one division to another. Expect a slightly conservative Pacquiao against Marquez, with lots of jabs and in-and-out combinations.
Uppercut
Manny’s uppercuts are more precise and are released from unorthodox angles. Usually, his uppercut comes after a series of combinations. Pacquiao unleashes his uppercut in tight situations, such as in a corner. But Marquez, when in a corner, dips his right knee to avoid punches, then counters while maintaining his stance. That is usually how he gets the best out of his opponents in a corner.
Defense
Manny’s offense is his best defense. Usually, Manny’s opponents go into defensive mode once they taste his power. Moving three divisions up since he last fought Marquez, Manny’s power has been increasingly dangerous. Marquez can counter well with Manny, but doubts will arise. How well can Marquez take Manny’s increased power?

Conclusion
Both fighters have their strengths and weaknesses. And all of those doubts and questions will be answered after November 12.
There won’t be any controversial decisions this time.
Manny has more advantages compared to Marquez, but we all know about Marquez’s counter-punching skills. When they say, “It comes in threes,” we all hope everything is settled in the third fight.

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They say it comes in threes… And now Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will slug it out for the third and final time.
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Beyond the comfort of the Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio City as the tiny drops of rain started to pour down gently on Manny Pacquiao’s shoulder. It brought him to a childhood memory that put a smile on his face as he continues to run in the high-altitude terrain. It was the rain that became their bonding time with his siblings as they played along mud holes in a small town in General Santos. There he threw punches in the air weaving and ducking the raindrops as if it was possible to do.

In just a split second, it was as if time stops and everything seems to be moving in slow motion. The young Manny unknowingly instilled on his mind that on impossible situations, everything becomes possible if you try.

The rain comes from a tiny drop of water then becomes bigger until it reaches the vast ocean.

Who would have thought that a drop that is barely visible to the naked eye becomes so big and so grand.

That is why Pacquiao always felt a connection with the rain. With over billions of people in the world he stood there on the top…the boxing icon and the reigning pound per pound king. Yet, humble on ways you cannot fathom. Manny knows all of these things shall pass. Nobody stays on top forever…even the mighty walls of Jericho crumbled down. Everything is a cycle… like the rain that has gone through the top and goes all the way down through the rivers and back.

As the former two-division champion Jorge Linares became Pacquiao’s sparring partner for his upcoming fight, Jorge knows it’s going to be a good experience; however, it won’t be a pretty one. One heated exchange that left Linares’ eyebrow bleeding and was lucky he got his head gear on. This is how Manny imparts his knowledge if you want to be on top, then you have to feel the pain… no shortcuts… hard work…hard work.

As the drizzle of rain stopped and the road’s slippery texture becomes completely dry…everything goes back to normal. We won’t see another Manny Pacquiao…not in this lifetime. But like nature’s cycle, there would be that someone who fills up the void, a one in a billion chance like a tiny drop of rain that becomes majestic.

Beyond the comfort of a four-cornered shelter…on a place where nobody seems to know…there would be that someone weaving and ducking and throwing punches in the rain…

Everything becomes possible if you try…

Article also found on my bleacher profile

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Juan Manuel Marquez knows that his November fight with Manny Pacquiao will be one of the biggest fights of his career.

It won’t be like the first encounter, when he salvaged a draw, or like the close split decision he lost three years ago.

This will be his ultimate battle, his swan song before hanging up his gloves for good.

For the first two fights, Juanma was always the underdog, but still came close to winning against Pacquiao. However, this time, he is truly the underdog, in every sense of the word.

At 38 years old, and with 59 total fights under his belt, Marquez is a step slower. His quick reflexes have sometimes betrayed him, and it’s slowly becoming more of a mind game for Juanma— when the mind is willing, but the body is not.

Push, push, push.

As he goes through another grueling session, he knows Manny Pacquiao won’t rest; he sustains his energy from the first round all the way to the 12th. Pacquiao always prepares to go to war for 20 or more rounds.

Never give him an opening. Counter…counter.

This is what made him successful in their last two fights─every Pacquiao onslaught countered with precise and calculated punches.

“Pak…pak,” as the sound of the gloves hitting the mitts echoes throughout the gym. “That’s it… that’s it,” as Nacho Beristain loudly applauds his prized pupil.

This is what Marquez has been craving for the past three years.

He has handled fighters far younger than Pacquiao, and he stood his ground against the much heavier Floyd Mayweather Jr. There is no such thing as impossible in boxing; as long as you’ve got two arms, you’ve got an equal chance of winning.

This has become the only thing that keeps Marquez going: chance.

Manny Pacquiao has been steadily improving after his fight with Marquez three years ago. He’s fought bigger and more powerful punchers, and almost knocked out every one of them.

Marquez will now be facing a two-fisted monster, who had been campaigning in the welterweight division and light middleweight for his last four fights. Juanma looked bloated when he fought Floyd, and he was slow on his punches.

It has become an improbable feat to conquer.

However, Marquez won’t listen, and he won’t doubt himself going into his third fight with Pacquiao. He simply doesn’t care when critics say he’s old; he is prepared to die in the ring.

Chances…chances…

It’s slowly becoming a mind game.

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An exuberant Floyd Mayweather Jr. was shown on HBO 24/7 working hard at 1 am in the morning. Then someone said that “while everybody is sleeping, we are working.” However, right across the Pacific, right along the small city in the islands of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao has just started his day working out, doing his usual routine.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are two different individuals but have been bonded by one common thing and one common trait… greatness.

They are the two best fighters in the world and the two biggest names in boxing. In a perfect world, we would love to watch the two fighters fight and square it all off in the ring. However, beyond the realms of the four cornered ring, there are repercussions in making this super fight. Both fighters got their demands and both fighters ego and pride needs to be met. It has been almost two years since the initial talks started and for the most part, it all ended with both parties in disagreement. This is seemingly normal with the fight this magnitude it needs enough time and some sacrifices for this to work. The world has been patiently waiting, lurking and anticipating. This has become the nurtured plant that is slowly growing its first fruit.

This needs to happen, boxing needs it and the people’s uproar is becoming to be deafening. Both fighter’s legacies depend on it.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. unceremoniously knocked Victor Ortiz out when Victor became too friendly and failed to protect himself on their fight last Saturday. It was a legit punch, but it shows Floyd’s true nature—he wants to win, and he will do anything to protect his immaculate record.

There is a big contrast on how Manny Pacquiao could have done if he were in Floyd’s shoes—there is always a room for an apologetic person.

Floyd and Manny are two very different persons. Floyd comes to the ring with bravado while Manny goes directly into a corner and pray. However, they have similarities when it comes to charisma and showmanship. They are connected with the same destiny… and if for some instance, this super fight won’t happen then each fighter leaves a stain on their legacy.

Amidst, all the talk about 2012 as the end of the world we anticipate the clash between the two best fighters in our generation. The winner takes it all, but the loser will still remain a legend.

As Floyd took care of Victor Ortiz, now Manny will have to take care of Juan Manuel Marquez this November. One good performance against another… like the day welcoming the night… both are connected and yet so different. This fight will happen… at least if the Mayans believed next year would be the end of the world, we die happy.

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