New York, NY– Although it would be my assumption that the Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) versus Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) showdown is the fight we will see, Manny still has options and one in particular may be in par with a potential win over Mayweather. If Manny is looking to seal his fate in the history books, he may be able to do so in more than one way. Although one option will be extremely more lucrative, the other might be equally as historic.
REMATCH COTTO AT 154 ERASES 145 LB. LIMIT STINK!
Although it would fall short in appeasing the rabid hunger of many boxing fans anticipating the Mayweather match up, a win against Miguel Cotto (35-2 28 KOs) for his WBA light middleweight (154 lbs) title would be a feasible opportunity for Manny to seal an unmatched legacy in the sport forever. With Manny currently holding an unprecedented seven titles in as many divisions, he stands alone as the only man to have ever accomplished this feat. And although many of today’s titles are as available as a room in a deserted motel, there is still much to be said when a fighter can secure seven in a career. But what is even more interesting is the fact that Manny has the goods and opportunity to get one more. This would mean eight. And I would safely bet my last cold glass of water in hell that seeing that ever happen again would be about as slim as a Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis rematch. But it would erase the stench over Pac demanding Cotto weigh 145 lbs.
WHERE DOES MANNY GO IF NOT FLOYD?
Without Cotto or Mayweather, Manny has few truly meaningful options he can pencil in for November 13 (let alone any date), the day he and his promoter Bob Arum have prepared for his return bout at the end of the year. Sure there has been small talk concerning Manny facing Antonio Margarito (38-6 27 KOs), but Manny already turned down a bout with former champ Yuri Foreman (28-1 8 KOs), citing that he was too tall. Margarito and Foreman at 5’11” are the same height, and with no title and more than enough wiggle room for the upset, a bout against the shamed Margarito would makes as much sense as the BP oil spill.
WHAT DO YOU FANS THINK?
It’s my hope that we see the fight we all want to see, but in uncertainly, lies an interesting question. If we consider two options in Cotto and Mayweather, which victory would actually hold more weight? A victory over the unbeaten and generation’s best Floyd Mayweather, or a rematch against a tough customer for an unprecedented and almost unfathomable eighth divisional title? It’s a question I see being very debatable although it may never be answered. Or, maybe it could it be? Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see what actually does take place this November.
Jarrad Woods