In an amazing, violent fight, Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) stopped WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) in round twelve to win another world title in an unprecedented seventh weight division on Saturday night before more than 16,000 fans at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Both fighters were on the attack from the opening bell. Pacman dropped Cotto with a right hook in round three. Cotto dominated round four, but was dropped by a left uppercut at the end of the round. Cotto fought courageously but was rocked again in the sixth by Pacman’s hurtful shots coming in from all angles. Cotto began to box from the outside in the seventh with some success. However, Pacquiao continued to stalk him and break him down. Cotto was in survival mode down the stretch. Referee Kenny Bayless finally waved in off in round twelve. Time was :55.
Manny Pacquiao likened himself to a tiger that stalked a wounded prey after his sensational stoppage victory “I was like a ferocious tiger,” said Pacquiao in Filipino as he was waiting for the cue to entertain an interview request with ESPN Deportes at the Pacquiao-Cotto Media Center. “Cotto kept on running,” said Pacquiao of his fallen Puerto Rican foe, who he later showered with praises. “Cotto is still very tough, though,” added Pacquiao.
Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Unbeaten “Son of a Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (41-0-1, 30 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Troy Rowland (25-3, 7 KOs) in a middleweight clash. Chavez’ harder punches earned him a 99-91, 98-92, 97-93 victory. John Duddy has been mentioned as a possible future opponent for Chavez, who was officially fighting as a full-fledged middleweight for the first time. It’s possible that Chavez could see action on Top Rank’s December 19 Latin Fury card in Cancun.
Former world title challenger and “Contender: Season One” star Alfonso Gomez (20-4-2, 10 KOs) upset WBC #7 welterweight Jesus Soto Karass (24-3-3, 16 KOs), winning a six round technical decision. Gomez was right at the side of his right eye by an unintentional headbutt in round three and the cutbothered Gomez thereafter. The cards read 58-54, 57-55, 57-55, all for Gomez. Soto-Karass was deducted points for low blows in rounds three and four.
In a stunner, unbeaten but unheralded jr middleweight Yuri Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs), outboxed and dethroned WBA super welterweight world champion Daniel Santos (32-4-1, 23 KOs) over twelve highly technical rounds. Foreman was credited with a knockdown in round two when an off-balance Santos’ glove touched the canvas, had the three-time world champion hurt in round four, and generally gave Santos fits withhis quickness and movement. There were many head clashes in the fight. Foreman punctuated his win with another knockdown of Santos in the twelfth. Scores were 116-110, 117-109, 117-109.