Pacquiao-Cotto Fight is now Official on November 14, 2009 at Las Vegas

Now it's official. Pacquiao-Cotto fight live in Las Vegas Nevada on November 14, 2009 is all set. This was revealed in the latest article regarding the Pacquiao-Cotto fight published in philstar.com by Dino Maragay. Read the full article below.

MANILA, Philippines -- The contract for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown has been -- as the age-old cliché goes -- signed, sealed and delivered.

This was confirmed by Pacquiao's lawyer Jeng Gacal, who also said Cotto will be putting his WBO welterweight title on the line when the Puerto Rican star collides with the Filipino ring icon on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With Pacquiao-Cotto officially a title bout, the current pound-for-pound king now has a rare chance to become the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in as many divisions.

Pacquiao had previously wrested the WBC flyweight, IBF super bantamweight, Ring Magazine featherweight, WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBO junior welterweight crowns.

In a TV interview today, Gacal said Pacquiao and Cotto will slug it out at a catch weight of 145 lbs. Cotto had earlier insisted on meeting the General Santos City-based southpaw at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs.

Regarding the splitting of the fight revenue, Gacal said Pacquiao, as expected, will get the lion’s share at 65-35. He, however, did not specify how much the guaranteed purse is for each combatant.

The Pacquiao lawyer added that the fight will be aired over GMA Network, the same broadcast firm that aired Pacquiao’s previous outings against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"This will be a great fight. Although Cotto is the much bigger and stronger fighter, Manny is faster and also has power," he said.

SOURCE : It's official: Pacquiao-Cotto set for Nov. 15

Pacquiao - Cotto Fight : Title Match at 145

The Pacquiao - Cotto fight scheduled on November 14, 2009 live at Las Vegas Nevada will more likely be a Title Match at 145lbs. This was presented in the article written by Mark Vester in boxingscene.com.

A lot has been written on the title mishap that hangs like a bad cloud above the November 14 bout between Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. The fight takes place at an agreed catch-weight 145-pounds and because of this weight, Cotto has not been willing to stake his welterweight crown. He says Pacquaio will have to fight him at the full welterweight limit of 147 to have the title at stake. The WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel is pushing to have the WBO title on the line. Who could blame him? There is a $150,000 sanctioning fee at stake on both sides. Top Rank's Bob Arum promotes both fighters and is willing to pay both of their sanctioning fees.

The title picture will come down to several scenarios but all of them will have the WBO title at stake. The title picture comes down to Section 15, page 17 of the WBO's Rules and Regulations.

The sections reads the following:

(b) A WBO champions shall not participate in a non-championship fight that is not a WBO Championship without the prior authorization of the WBO World Championship Committee. This authorization shall be subject to such conditions as the WBO World Championship Committee determines. In addition, this authorization will be granted only on the condition that the WBO Champion pay a fee to the WBO that is the equivalent of the amount that he WBO Champion would have paid to the WBO if the nonchampionship fight were conducted as a WBO Championship fight.

Pursuant to the official rules, the WBO is in the right to sanction the bout as a welterweight title fight. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach already told BoxingScene.com that his fighter is going to pay the required sanctioning fee - even if Cotto refuses to pay his share. That move would hand Manny the title with a win or cause the title to become vacant if Cotto prevails.

The WBO has to give Cotto authorization to take the Pacquiao fight, pursuant to their rules and the WBO can set the conditions of the fight - and that includes making it a title fight. Even if Cotto refuses to put the title on the line, the WBO rules are clear, he would be forced to pay a sanctioning fee that is equal to the amount of a normal title fight.

Even if Cotto vacates the title, the WBO can place the vacant title at stake in the fight. There has already been word that Pacquiao would be lifted to the status of number 1 contender and that would give him a chance to win the title - with or without Cotto's compliance.

Source : Pacquiao-Cotto Title Bout Rests on WBO's Section 15

Pacquiao-Cotto Fight Opinion

Recently, I've placed an article saying that Pacquiao-Cotto fight will not be a title match. Now, I've got this article from examiner.com written by Dennis Guillermo saying that Pacquiao doesn't need Cotto or his belt. What do you think?

Read the rest of the article below.

Truth be told Manny Pacquiao does not need Miguel Cotto, nor his belt. Just based on both fighters' recent history, it should be Cotto crawling on his fours wanting to fight Pacquiao to revive his slumping career.

I don't know whether Cotto is posturing or is simply stubborn when he said he wouldn't put up his WBO welterweight belt against Pacquiao even if he had to vacate it. Fighting words from the gallant Puerto Rican, but why would Pacquiao care?

If that's the case then Cotto isn't really interested in the biggest payday and break of his career after all. If I was a Team Pacquiao adviser, I'd simply tell Manny to walk and explore his many other options.

Mosley is willing and waiting in the wings and would even go down to 140 and take 40% of the pot just to dance with Manny. Of course there's still the option of paying Marquez step-aside money as Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself suggested and get right down to business with "Money May". Or he can stay in his division and fight the winner of Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell next week at the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Call me T.I. because fact of the matter is Manny, "you can have whatever you like". Such are the rewards of being the best and most popular boxer in the planet. When Cotto actually locates his heart after Antonio Margarito beat the crap out of him and fighting the last four rounds of his controversial win against Joshua Clottey on skates, then he can start acting like a diva.

Really? He will vacate his title just so Pacquiao wouldn't be able to get a shot at it? That's simply disrespectful in my book. You wouldn't even give a much smaller person a shot at a belt he very well deserves if he beats you just because of two almost meaningless pounds? Pacquiao did not invent title fights at a catch weight, in fact great boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard have done it before him in the past. The welterweight limit is from 141-147 pounds, the 147 is just the maximum weight they can come in at. Realistically, Pacquiao is really that small compared to Cotto so the two pounds only makes it sensible. Just a year ago, even Bob Arum himself said imagining Pacquiao in the ring with Cotto was ludicrous and he simply could not see it happening. That was then, this is now. And now all of a sudden it's ridiculous for Pacquiao to ask for a title-fight for asking Cotto to come down 2 pounds?

Let's put things in proper perspective. Pacquiao does not need Cotto right now. Actually, Cotto is fortunate that he is getting all this attention and publicity after his ho-hum victories and devastating loss to Margarito. A lot of people even consider him damaged goods and actually lost to Clottey. That's not to say I agree with that, I personally feel Cotto is still one of the toughest fights for Pacquiao out there but it doesn't mean it's the best fight for him necessarily especially if it would be a beltless fight and if Cotto would go out of his way just to not make it a title-fight for him. Pacquiao can fight Mosley who is a better sell for American veiwers and Pay-Per-View buyers anyway. You also finally get to see Pacquiao fight an African-American boxer, one of the best at that, as some people have been clamoring for. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but Pacquiao got options... Pacquiao got options....Pac-paca-pac-pa-pac-pac got chiki-chiki op-tions... Pacquiao got op-o-o-options. Broken record, scratch, scribble, dice and transform it, whatever it takes to send the message. Got it? Good. (By the way shout out to my boy DJ QBert, one of the best skratch DJs to have ever lived)

Perhaps somebody whispered something behind Cotto's ear for him to be confident of whatever happens at the moment. It's almost as if he is willing to just finish up his contract with Top Rank against whoever and jump ship to Golden Boy where promised greener pastures await. It makes sense. De la Hoya could have very well guaranteed Cotto a shot at Mayweather or a rematch with Mosley with some serious dough in tow. Nobody really believes that all Cotto and De la Hoya did was a round of golf a couple of weeks ago.

That's besides the point however. Last time I checked, Pacquiao hasn't signed any papers to fight Cotto yet. Cotto is a good opponent but there are better options for Pacquiao out there if Cotto insists on playing hard-to-get. He can go for Mosley's belts at 143 if he wants to rather than negotiate with a fighter people consider as "damaged goods".

Pacquiao-Cotto showdown set for November: Reports

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - – Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican fighter Miguel Cotto will meet in Las Vegas in November at a catch-weight of 145 pounds, ESPN and Filipino newspapers reported Monday.

The US sports network and Phillipines media reported that Pacquiao, considered the pound-for-pound world champion after flattening England's Ricky Hatton in the second round in May, will meet Cotto on November 14.

Reports also had the fight at 145 pounds, two below the welterweight limit and five above the light-welterweight category maximum.

Promoter Bob Arum handles affairs for both Pacquiao and Cotto.

The reports come after moves by unbeaten US star Floyd Mayweather Jnr and World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley to try and lure Pacquiao into a deal.

Mosley, a US veteran, said he was willing to take only 40 percent of the purse and would agree to fight at the light-welterweight limit in order to strike a deal with the Filipino star.

Mayweather, whose ring return from retirement was pushed back to September due to a rib injury, is the fighter most fans would enjoy seeing Pacquiao face in a showdown between the former and current pound-for-pound kings.

But Mayweather said last week it was unlikely he would fight Pacquiao because both camps insistent on the lion's share of a 60-40 fight purse split. Mayweather also has bitter feelings toward Arum, his former promoter.

source

Pacman camp eyes Mosley at 143 lb

MANILA, Philippines - Shane Mosley is suddenly back in the picture.

Manny Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said if Miguel Cotto insists on the catchweight of 145 lb, the Filipino boxing icon might be forced to consider Mosley as his next opponent.

“We will not agree to 145 pounds. And if Cotto insists, we’ll go for Mosley,” said Gacal from Davao City.

Top Rank president Bob Arum wants Pacquiao to face Cotto, the reigning WBO welterweight (147 lb) champion from Puerto Rico, on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas. But no deal has been forged yet, not on the date, weight or purse.

“No definite date yet or any other details have been agreed upon,” said Pacquiao the other day.

Pacquiao, 30, said he wants to fight on Oct. 17 but Arum explained that it wouldn’t be a good date because of the Major League World Series, and that it would be hard to compete with the mother of all baseball games.

“Regarding the date, maybe we can give in to what Bob Arum wants although Manny really wants to fight in October. But there’s the baseball thing so maybe we can agree on November,” said Gacal.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto are under Top Rank, and it should have been easier for Arum to seal the deal. But again, the weight issue, Gacal added, is turning out to be a real weighty issue.

“Manny will be giving up too much if he agrees to fight Cotto at 145. We want him at 143 and if he insists otherwise, then we’ll look at Mosley if Mosley is still available,” said the Filipino lawyer.

“Cotto is an inch taller than Manny and definitely he’s heavier. He’s got a bigger body, too. I think Manny will be short-changed if he agrees to 145. And it should be us dictating the terms, not Cotto,” said Gacal.

Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion, was so eager to face Pacquiao he said he’d fight at 144 lb, and settle for 40 percent of the purse. But the native of Pomona, California, had given up on the fight when it seemed all’s well for a Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

“Mosley said he’s willing to fight Manny at 144. Maybe we can drag him down to 143. So if Cotto insists on 145, we’ll got for Mosley,” Gacal added.

At 5’9” Mosley is easily two inches taller than Pacquiao, but the American champion will be 39 by September. Cotto will turn 29 in October.

Mosley is under Golden Boy Promotions, whose president, Oscar dela Hoya, recently played a round of golf with Cotto at the Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club in Puerto Rico.

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Pacquiao-Mosley at 144 lb not advisable

Here's a news article from PhilStar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao should avoid falling into the trap being laid out for him by Shane Mosley.

One of Pacquiao’s advisers – Rex “Wakee” Salud – issued the warning after Mosley said he’s ready to stake his WBA welterweight crown if he gets to face the Filipino champion at a catch weight of 144 lb on Oct. 17.

It was also reported that Mosley has agreed to a 60/40 split in favor of the reigning pound-for-pound champion, and on the inclusion of a rematch clause in the fight contract, in case he wins over Pacquiao.

Salud said it’s all too good to be true.

“Manny may be too small for Mosley if he agrees to fight at 144 pounds. Baka naman makawawa tayo (We may end up short-changed),” said the boxing figure from Cebu.

“It’s Mosley who needs Manny so he should agree to what Freddie Roach (Pacquiao’s trainer) wants and that’s 142. Or at least, maybe they can make 143. But not 144,” added Salud.

Mosley, a 37-year-old American, can stake his WBA title if he fights Pacquiao at a catch weight of anywhere from 140.1 lb to 147 lb which is the welterweight limit.

Salud said Pacquiao should only agree to fight Mosley if it’s 142 or 143 lb. The Pinoy icon is also looking at Miguel Cotto as his next opponent, and the decision may come later this month.

Even Gerry Peñalosa, the former world bantamweight champion, said it wouldn’t be wise for Pacquiao to fight Mosley at 144 lb.

“Baka mahirapan masyado si Manny kay Mosley kapag 144 (Manny may have a very difficult time with Mosley at 144),” said Peñalosa.

He said Mosley, who started his career in 1993 at 136 lb (Pacquiao made his pro debut in 1994 at 106 lb), can make 144 for the weigh-in and climb the ring a monster at 154 or even more.

“Baka mapiga ng kaunti sa pagkuhang timbang sa 144 pero madali makaka-recover (He might squeeze himself a bit to make weight but can easily recover),” said Peñalosa of Mosley.

Salud recalled that for the Oscar dela Hoya fight last December, Pacquiao only weighed 142 or five lb lower than the weight limit agreed upon.

And for the Ricky Hatton fight last month, Pacquiao only weighed 138 or two lb lighter than the limit.

“That’s Manny’s comfort zone, to weigh in at 138, 140 or 142 lb. If he agrees to 144, that will give Mosley all the comfort he needs,” Salud said.

Mosley said he can try and make 144 and then he plans to climb the ring against Pacquiao at 154 lb or anywhere he’s comfortable at without sacrificing his speed.

Mosley asked Roach why they can’t fight him at 147 lb just like Dela Hoya and the three-time Trainer of the Year simply said Mosley is not Dela Hoya.

Mosley is coming off a big win over Antonio Margarito last January. In that fight, the fighter from Pomona, California looked like a budding superstar, showing great speed and power to win inside nine rounds.

“Iba si Mosley kay Oscar (Mosley is not Oscar),” Salud added.

Author : Abac Cordero

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