Pacquiao Lifts Boxing off the Canvas

Many highbrows have been standing over boxing and counting it out these days. But as the figures of Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and others attest, pugilism has had an enormous impact on American history. And rightfully so. If sports are ritualized enactments of the struggle that is human life, what more pure form of the struggle could there be than the sweet science?

If boxing was down, it got off the canvas this weekend. On Saturday night, Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao won the WBO welterweight title in an epic struggle with Miguel Angel Cotto. Pacquiao, who began boxing at 106 pounds, has now set a record by winning titles in 7 weight divisions. But never mind the records, his performance was absolutely jaw dropping, a fistic work of art.

Cotto is an inch taller and naturally ten to fifteen pounds heavier. Up until Saturday, he had only one loss and that was a questionable defeat at the hands of Antonio Margarito, whose gloves were found to be juiced in his later fight with Shane Mosley. Cotto is a left-hook artist and arguably the best body puncher in the bruising business. Still, Mr. Pacquiao simply dissected his foe by his speedy in-and-out movements, feints, and howitzer-like straight lefts and right hooks.

Unlike many elite boxers, Pacquiao, under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach, has continued to learn new boxing techniques. He told me, "I consider myself a student of boxing, a philosopher so to speak, and my philosophy is to keep learning."

One of his new tricks of the trade was at work against the gritty Cotto. As a southpaw who always depended on his straight and incredibly explosive left, Pacquiao has now added a mighty right hook to his arsenal. Many times during the bout, Pacquiao would slide right, get an angle, and clobber Cotto with a right hook that Cotto could not see coming. In boxing, it's the punches that you are blind to that take you out, because your body cannot prepare itself for their impact.

As a boxing trainer, I could easily carry on about the marvel of Pacquiao's speed, technique and power, but there were other more important virtues on display in this contest. The courage of Miguel Cotto was astounding. Though the Puerto Rican champion was very competitive in the early going, he was starting to lose badly by the seventh stanza. With blood flowing from his eyes and mouth, he fought on until the referee stopped the contest just before the 12th round. Many of us parents talk to our children about commitment and some of us about the importance of giving all of your gifts. Cotto, as well as his opponent, embodied this commitment on Saturday night in a way that even those who crook their snoots at the sport would have to acknowledge.

I worry about Cotto, not because of the pounding he took but because he is so completely committed to his art that he is sure to be devastated by this loss. And unlike Pacquiao, who is running for public office in the Philippines, Cotto does not have a lot of interests outside of his hard trade.

As for the marvel Manny Pacquiao, his trainer told me, "He will have two more fights and that is it. " Roach added that he sure hopes that one of them is against Floyd Mayweather.

At the end of the bout, the crowd at the MGM Grand was chanting, "Mayweather, Mayweather." The public demands that the two square off to decide who is the best pugilist on the planet. Many cynics think the contest will not happen because both men will want the larger cut. But Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports assured me, "These guys both have huge egos but the money we are talking about here is astronomical and will set their families up financially for the next century. I think they can be convinced to come to a fifty-fifty split." There is, however, more than A-Rod type dollars at stake here.

A couple of weeks before the bout I interviewed Miguel Cotto. He was so focused on the fight that it was nearly impossible to get him to talk about anything. However, he waxed passionate at one question, pressed by a local reporter. What will bring the glory days of boxing back? A fire came into Cotto's eyes and he snapped almost angrily, "The glory days will come back when boxers stop worrying about money and the best just fight the best." The best fought the best on Saturday and despite the naysayers, the best will fight the best again in 2010, when Mayweather and Pacquiao meet.

 

Comments

[sandbergandy]

Gordon,

Nice writing as usual. Having been there in person, there is no doubt that the crowd was electric. While it was an easy sell-out including plenty of celebrities, my one complaint of the weekend was the lackluster undercards. I don't ask for elite fighters opening the show, but at least competitive and interesting match-making.

Regardless of the undercard flaws, it is nice to know that there are some great fights coming up. Wouldn't it be amazing for the welters to take a cue from the super-mids? Lets see a straight four man bracket. First Sugar/Berto, then Pacquiao/M­ayweather, capped off with my predicted winners of Sugar and Mayweather in a "retirement" fight like professional wrestlers used to have.

AS

[StephenJK]

I hope Mayweather and Pacman fight. Mayweather KNOWS he'll have to go the full distance if such a fight takes place. He's got no power to speak of. He's a point master. Arguably, the best defense the sport has ever seen. As good of hand speed the sport has to offer. Mayweather is a great boxer.

Manny outclasses the two-dimensional Mayweather on a few different fronts. Hand speed, footwork, power and his ability throw punches from impossible angles. He throws those punches after he sets up with his feet. Very quick and dynamic footwork. Manny is a VERY smart fighter with great ability.

Mayweather should be afraid to fight him. BUt, I believe ultimately, his pride will get him in the ring. Because if the fight doesn't happen it will be completely on his legacy. And that would be terrible for his legacy. And, really, what else is PBF worried about but, legacy....­.....and money, of course.

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

I disagree about Floyd not having any power. He has a terrific right hand. On the Manny side of the equation, the Pac Man is not hard to hit. However, you have to open up to hit him and that is dangerous. I agree that Floyd's pride will get him in the ring and as you say the money. Thanks.
Gordon

[jackstraw005]

my prediction is floy simply demands a 65-35 split and bingo, no fight. floyd turned down a handsome sum to avoid antonio margarito, and signed for jm marquez on the day of paquaio v hatton. he will, im sure find a way to avoid manny and keep running his mouth. ive already heard he is saying he wants manny to ask for the fight in person.

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

Yeah but after an 18 mth layoff it doesn't surprise me that he would want someone else before Manny and Manny did have his hands more than full with Marquez. Mayweather toyed with him. Finally, FM does have a point when he says that Manny has not called him out. Why that would get in the way is beyond me but I think Money Mayweather is on the money there. Thanks
Gordon

[ibflyin27]

Professor,

I took your Law, Politics, and Morality class my senior year in 2008 and, although I certainly learned a great deal from our many "Just War" debates, I also learned to love boxing...w­atching boxing, that is. If it weren't for some of your great stories and anecdotes, I wouldn't have seen this incredible fight! And that's a testament to you and other great teachers, that they often open up more to students than just what's in their textbook. And I very much enjoy following your posts here on HuffPo...T­hanks!

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your kind words- they really mean a lot to me! I tried to get you folks to read the classics and this fight was just that. Much obliged. Stay well, strong, and kind.
Doc

[slj316]

I hope that Mayweather and Pacquiao fight next year. Like you said, the only haggling point would be who'd get the bigger split of the money. The only legit reason I'd see Mayweather not taking the fight would be if he fought Shane Mosley. Other than that, there's no more excuses Floyd. Can't say Manny's not a big enough draw for you or that he's not in your league.

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

But he has been ducking Shane for years- so I don't see him in there with Shane. He'll come to terms with the Pac Man.
Thanks.
Gordon

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

He's not going to fight Shane. He's been ducking him for years. There is no excuse not to fight Manny. I'm sure he is going to get around to it. Thanks.Gor­don

[edopeno]

Gordon,

If the two were to get down and get this fight going, at what weight-class would they be fighting at? I'd rather see Mayweather go DOWN in weight, before I see Pacquiao going UP in weight again (although he stated that the Welter-weight was al fin). Thanks in advance. Edo

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

Welterweight for sure and perhaps at the catchweight of 145. That will surely be another issue to negotiate. Thank. Gordon

[22guns]

Mayweather will use the money alibi not to fight Pacquiao. He knows deep in his heart he will loose to the PFP king. Even his father already said he wouldnt want his son to fight Manny Pacquiao.

[Gordon Marino - Huffpost Blogger]

I disagree. Mayweather has enormous confidence in his ability. He is, however, very keen about keeping his perfect record. Still, he'll show up to fight the Pac Man- eventually. And it won't be an easy fight for Manny. Thanks. Gordon