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| Boxing may not be front and center in the US, but there is a whole world out there, people. And much of the world treasures the sweet science and its ace practitioners. |
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Now Is Manny's TIME
Los Angeles, CA (November 5)-On the heels of his first primetime television appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live and his recognition as a 2009 Gusi Peace Prize laureate, boxing phenom Manny Pacquiao now finds himself on the cover of TIME Magazine Asia edition (see above) as part of a five page feature story on the boxing champion that will be included in all editions (global and US market) of the magazine hitting newsstands this weekend.
With the population of Asia being the largest in the world, Pacquiao is overwhelmed with the idea of so many people seeing his face on the cover of such a prestigious magazine.
"I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today and on the cover of TIME Magazine," said Pacquiao. "A fighter's dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring."
Perhaps no boxer since Joe Louis has attracted such worldwide attention as the world grips the importance of Pacquiao as a national treasure to his people and as one of the most gifted and philanthropic fighters to grace the history of the sport. As part of TIME's history, former champions who have appeared on the US cover include: 1923 - Jack Dempsey, 1926 - James J. Tunney, 1929 - Max Schmeling, 1931 - Primo Carnera, 1941 - Joe Louis, 1951 - Sugar Ray Robinson, 1963 - Cassius Clay, 1971 - Muhammad Ali/Joe Frazier, 1978 - Muhammad Ali, and in 1988 - Mike Tyson.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
HBO's® fast-moving reality series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with an all new episode This Saturday! November 7 at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their November 14 pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available on HBO ON DEMAND®.
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Anony:
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MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE LEAVING COMMENTS ARE PINOYS AND THE MEDIA HAVE DOWNPLAYED COTTO... so I'm making sure I'm the first one to leave a comment on this. CHECK THIS OUT - One thing is a fact - Coming november 13th it will be the first time Pacman (lots of respect for him) faces a real top welterweight and all around solid boxer. I guess we all can agree on that, right? NOW, you have to wonder TWO SIMPLE THINGS about this fight. 1) Will Pacman be able to KO Cotto for real???? or 2) Will Pacman be able to avoid the full contact of Cotto for 12 rounds???? If the second's shows up... then I believe Pacman is definitely in trouble and will have to display a chin of iron in order to win because it's inevitable that HE WILL GET HIT. ONE MORE THING: I know this is a very important fight for both countries (Philippines and Puerto Rico) and I surely respect what Pacman is trying to do BUT Miguel has earned everything that have come to him. He has always delivered exciting fights and NEVER DUCKS ANYBODY. Even when he shows some weakness you know (the real fan) he always deliver great fights and it is because of his HEART and DETERMINATION. What I'm trying to say is that, if Miguel wins, Pac and Pinoys has nothing to feel bad about it because he will loose against somebody who deserves the glory as well. On the other hand, it makes me think that, if Manny's goal was to achieve 7 different belts in different weight classes, why he picked the wrong guy in Cotto??? HE WAS BETTER OF FIGHTING BERTO!!!!! who is a welterweight champion as well and less risky guy. And I know oxing is a business and Manny chose for the most money fight but then legacy may cost too much for him because COTTO IS NO FRUITCAKE. I CAN'T WAIT.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 01:13:10 PM
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Jason:
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Anony makes some good points. Both Cotto and Pacquiao are exceptional fighters and a credit to the sport. They've conducted themselves will class as opposed to the WWE-type idiocy we're witnessing from David Haye. That said, this is BY FAR the toughest fight of Pacquiao's career, and he deserves praise for taking on such a tough assignment (an assignment he was certainly not required to take). As Anony pointed out, PacMan has never been in with a legitimate, bona fide welterweight, whereas Cotto has been in with the likes of Mosley, Margarito, Clottey, Judah, et al. Miguel will not be daunted by Pacquiao's power; his speed perhaps, but not his power. I think Manny will have his moments early, but will become discouraged when he finds he can't hurt Cotto and tastes his power. After all, it's one thing to brutalize an emaciated and completely shot De La Hoya, but quite another to do that to a prime Miguel Cotto. I predict Cotto by 8th round TKO. Of course, I could be wrong, and perhaps Manny's blinding speed and power will carry itself to 147, but I'm skeptical. Either way, this is a hell of a fight between two of boxing's best.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 01:41:24 PM
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mortcola:
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All respect to your comments, and to Cotto. I've been a big fan. I just think, playing this out in my head technically, that Cotto is going to go nuts dealing with Manny's speed, and Cotto will not be able to set the pace, or catch Manny downstairs without walking through a buzzsaw of faster, harder, more unpredictable counterpunches than he has ever seen. Cotto's strength and discipline will be very important to him, but I still see Manny neutralizing Cotto's advantages over at least the first half of the fight. But, no real prediction here...it is going to be VERY interesting.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 01:42:33 PM
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deepwater@msn.com:
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Way to go Manny.to the people on here that was saying its racism that manny isnt that popular...well........ I guess that time magizine is really racist?lol stop playing the race card!
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 01:47:05 PM
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deepwater:
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This should be a great fight.Im not rooting for either but Im picking cotto. could pacman beat margarito?
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 01:50:02 PM
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TIME! No! Playing the race card:
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Suck it up! It PacMan Time! It Pinoy Time! It's Asian Time! Let the deepwater flow. Spot on! "I guess that Time Magazine is really racist! Now they are playing the race card, HMMM! We live in the TIME OF CHANGE! Never again will a PINOY be thought of as "The White man's burden." After Margarito-damaged Cotto is knocked out, the Time will feature Manny some more. Cotto is finished from one to four. AGAIN! Manny is one of the most popular people in the world, just below Prez O and the Pope. The TIME has done the Holla!
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 02:10:49 PM
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boxing fan:
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paquiao will disfigure cotto's face slowly like dela hoya for sure,
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 02:15:03 PM
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the good doctor:
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I will say it again. I am the biggest Cotto fan around but this fight worries me. This one worries me even more than the Clottey fight. Cotto has faced quick guys before, Judah, Mosely, and Malinaggi and handled them all pretty well. None of these guys can punch from the angles Manny can or as fast. In addition, Freddie Roach is one of the best game planners in the business. Lastly, Cotto is my boy but he is easy to hit , especially with uppercuts. I do feel he can bully Manny some and he can hit Manny as Pac is not a great defensive fighter. However I think that Manny can weather the storm and beat Cotto in a exciting fight that goes the route. I say 116-112 Manny.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 03:20:15 PM
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LC:
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Time Magazine better hide this EDITION COVER coz Floyd Mayweather will buy every one magazine issue so that NO ONE will read why PAC is so great, and Floyd's wishes he is as popular as PAC globally.....LOL!!!!
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 03:34:24 PM
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Frank Z:
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yall need to stop throwing around the term "race card" every time the issue of race comes up. the fact is race does play a role in boxing marketing and how fighters are perceived, people need to stop dancingn around the issue and have serious thoughtful talks on that.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 04:19:10 PM
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deepwater@frank:
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So Frank we agree that Manny is not being ignored becouse of race? Yesterday people were saying if manny was black or white he would be getting more coverage. so I guess that argument is not valid seeing that manny is one of the most popular boxers on the planet whatevr race he is.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 04:24:17 PM
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#1 PacFan "KO's Cotto in 7":
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@Anony, there's no need to explain yourself or about Cotto. There is no holes in his career for criticism. The guy has fought everything that was placed in front of him. The things you need to know is that Manny handles all the punches he expects and gets tumbled by the ones he don't see. I just don't see Cotto throwing punches that Manny won't see. Both guys can be vulnerable to the uppercuts and that can be the money punch for both. I don't see Cotto being able to avoid Manny's straight left hands if he decides to box him. It will definitely be a short night if both guys are on overdrive and who can handle the punches in bunches. There's nobody downplaying Cotto at this point it's just that too many people see Manny as a clear favorite.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 04:55:04 PM
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#1 PacFan "KO's Cotto in 7":
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I take it back! Manny is on top of the world right now. He is getting his well deserved recognition.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 04:56:10 PM
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deepwater:
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Wow.Lil floyd mayweather is rooting for salita to win against khan. Mayweather expects to sell out yankee stadium against salita. what a damn joke.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 05:16:30 PM
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brownsugar:
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I see Manny circling Cotto all night,.. left to right and right to left,.. trying to confuse him and throw it off balance,.. while Cotto throws the straight right in a one two punch combination the way Marquez did,.. be interesting to see if Cotto can control space....Good to see Manny getting some recognition,.. the most popular fighter in decades....
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 05:35:48 PM
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Frank Z@deepwater:
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yeah after 14 years of moving up through weight classes and having wars he was.... how does that invalidate any argument regarding race affecting his popularity? and it also does affect the way people view his abilities as a fighter, people always seem to think he can be muscled around at whatever new weight class he moves into, even with his very well known track record of hard training and putting opponents and sparring partners on the canvas, somehow people always think his opponents are bigger stronger men.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 06:09:29 PM
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naisA:
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That's Time Magazine Asia edition recognizing one of the most popular persons in asia and perhaps the world. The most insecure and jaded always bring up race issues. Be confident and secure in your ethnicity, its about the person not the ethnic background. No need to blame race in your shortcomings.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 07:23:37 PM
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PacTIME Traveller:
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Cotto will definitely get KTFO if he mimicks Marquez. At 130 Pacman was badly drained. This is why he is up three weight classes. He grew into a full powerful pugilist. His power is three times harder than at 130 and his speed is six times faster. The only chance that Cotto has is to catch Pacquiao with a dirty, fouling punch that the referee doesn't see or will allow. We Pinoys expect that Cotto will try some dirty tactics. But Manny is great at Suntukan -- Filipino Boxing -- defense. He is going to use Cotto's on power against Cotto for defense and a quick knockout. Cotto will not be able to control space. He carries his hands too high in a earmuff style and won't be able to see Pacman's side (hook) punches or the uppercuts and overhand punches that will rocket (Cotto). Cotto will probably be looking for missiles coming from the left straight. Marquez survived these from a drained Pacman. Cotto will not be able to tolerate the pain of Pinoy Power. Pacquiao will hit Cotto on the torso, noggin, arms, shoulders and ears. Cotto will not be able to survive the pounding hurt. He will tap out or be a man and get knocked out. The end.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 07:55:12 PM
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Marco Polo:
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Hit and run that's the basic plan for manny. and when he hurt you, damn.. just run or hug. manny wont engage that long he will box his way to win.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 08:25:17 PM
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MisterLee @ Anony:
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Yo man, i think it's humorous you got so much conviction in you your fighter and your pple, but you got the date wrong. The fight's on November 14th, but see ya on the flip side! To each their own, we will have lots to talk about on November 15th, and crow will be served to one or the other. Pc!
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 09:34:45 PM
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@pactime traveller:
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you are rg you can't hide
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 09:39:28 PM
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Isaiah:
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I'm going to love it if I'm right and I'm going to love it if I'm wrong! There is no wrong pick on this one my brothers! No matter who wins this, the fans win! These men are made of steel and have paid their dues! Boxing's dead huh? Time magazine don't think so. Time Magazine! When's the last time you've seen a boxer on one of the biggest magazines in the world?! Manny Pacquiao hysteria is running wild all over the world! It's awesome to have a God fearing, take all challenges, humble warrior represent this sport. Cotto is the same way. I'm telling you all, in this, the fans win!
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 10:35:51 PM
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Fe'Roz :
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This article and the cover of TIME magazine honors all of the praises heaped on Manny and the confirms without question immense popularity he has earned. He has transcended Boxing. He fights with a ferocity equaled only by the dignity in which he carries himself. He has captured the imaginations of millions, here and beyond. Many of his fans and most of those for whom boxing has once again entered their radar will sadly not be able to afford PPV. But the numbers who follow Manny will be unfathomable. The impact of his presence in this sport is greater than that of any fighter since Tyson. Cotto is a great warrior but he, nor anyone else in the sport right now, cannot nor should not be compared to Manny. Manny is to Miguel (and all others) what Tiger is to Phil Mickelson. The Star. It is indisputable. That does not necessarily mean he has and/or will win this fight. Every fighter who made the Cover of TIME has lost. Losses and overcoming adversity are human conditions. Conditions we all relate to and admire. It is how he we manage and transcend them that distinguishes us. Manny is the Everyman. The Little Man with the heart of a giant. I've said it before and i will say it again, we are blessed. We are watching someone who comes along maybe once in a generation. Manny Pacquiao embodies the electricity of Duran, and the dignity of Arguello. Enjoy this gentlemen.... for it is something as rare as it is exhilarating. Boxing is back. And we have the little man to thank.
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 11:40:01 PM
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Marco Polo@ Fe'Roz :
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great points again man. cheeers for ya
Friday Nov 6, 2009 12:46:00 AM
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@__:
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"rg would never hide. he is tired of and is controlling his blennophobia.
Friday Nov 6, 2009 12:48:23 AM
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Fe'Roz @ Marco Polo:
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I cannot stop thinking of how this fight and Manny's celebrity may impact boxing and it's general perception. Manny is a global phenomenon. The news editors will be remiss if they fail to take Time's lead. Newspapers which have distanced themselves from boxing hopefully may/will reconsider. Joe Louis, 1951 – Sugar Ray Robinson, 1963 – Cassius Clay, 1971 – Muhammad Ali/Joe Frazier, 1978 – Muhammad Ali, and in 1988 – Mike Tyson. That is quite some company. Many greats are left off..... but look at who was included. All of the crossover greats. Manny's legacy may in the end have as much to do with how he revitalized mainstream interest in boxing itself....as it does with how he in fact boxed in the ring
Friday Nov 6, 2009 01:38:37 AM
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The Saint:
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@Anony: 1) Pacquiao's power is for real. He's no Tommy Hearns but he's definitely no Paulie Malignaggi, either. Cotto's making the biggest mistake of his career if he's expecting to fight "a 126-lb fighter." Pacquiao can hurt Cotto, not necessarily with a single punch, but given the right timing, anything is possible. 2) I have my fears for Pacquiao's ability to take a full punch from ANY legitimate welterweight, let alone Cotto. If Pacquiao shows he's able to shrug off Cotto's best shots, it will be a bigger upset than Cotto winning. CONCLUSION: Pacquiao is the sharper, more precise and better puncher of the two, with "better" not necessarily meaning "harder." Cotto definitely has the heavier hands. Pacquiao is also most likely not as durable as Cotto. However, Cotto is without a doubt slower than Pacquiao and is very likely to get hit with several flush shots that could seriously hurt him. Both fighters face an equal amount of risk of getting stopped. Also, while I agree with you that Cotto has ducked nobody, no other fighter has earned his status more than Manny Pacquiao, whose popularity skyrocketed only in the last 2 years. He's gone through the some of the toughest fighters in the lighter divisions in dramatic fashion. People only took notice when he took on bigger, stronger fighters (I didn't hear anybody complaining that De La Hoya was shot or weight drained BEFORE the fight. I hope that people will not write off Cotto as shot and weight drained should Pacquiao do the same to him). Cotto's career, on the other hand, has been managed as carefully and calculatedly as De La Hoya's, and he's had at least a couple of breaks (Chop Chop Corley fight most notably, in which Cotto was seriously hurt early on, and the fight was stopped when Corley took a strategic knee). Cotto has been groomed as a future star from the very beginning. It doesn't mean he's less of a fighter because of it.
Friday Nov 6, 2009 09:46:32 AM
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Fe'Roz @ the Saint:
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Well said.
Friday Nov 6, 2009 10:17:03 AM
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The Saint:
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@Anony: Also, in regards to Pacquiao picking Cotto, I think style-wise, he's a lesser risk than Berto, who could be explosive from the get-go and get the drop on Pacquiao right away, whereas Cotto traditionally starts slow and builds up as the fight progresses. It is during this "warm up" time that Pacquiao can capitalize and put enough hurt on Cotto to at least soften him up before he's able to fire on all cylinders. And personally, if Pacquiao were to lose, I'd rather see him lose to a great fighter like Cotto than to an internet tweeter-tough guy with a monkey grin (not meant to be a racist statement; Berto does grin like a chimpanzee). Pacquiao picked on the weakest lightweight champion in David Diaz and the general boxing community forgave him for it, but I commend Pacquiao for going for a great warrior like Cotto this time out.
Friday Nov 6, 2009 10:30:26 AM
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The Saint:
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@Fe'Roz: Your soliloquy almost brought a tear to my eye!
Friday Nov 6, 2009 10:42:48 AM
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Fe'Roz:
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Editor Mike has given us all a great forum to hold forth. Pc
Friday Nov 6, 2009 11:23:06 AM
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Jason Marlimez:
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Maybe that was not racist, The Saint. But it is uncalled-for sarcasm. Caribbean people are always smiling and grinning, especially from Puerto Rica. Juanma is one. The greatest Ricans of all times were forever smiling, laughing and grinning. Go to Youtube and see at the long list: Jose Torres, Felix Trinidad, Hector Camacho, Wilfred Benitez and Wilfredo Gomez. OMG! Some of the stuff that you can read in this snake-pit site of racism. followed by denials is amazing. This place use to be a fine boxing site. What Venom! Then lamed excuse about not meant to be a racist statement. Sound like Rush Limbauch! If Berto grins like a chimpanzee, what does Pacquiao grins like?
Friday Nov 6, 2009 05:09:58 PM
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Anony @ The Saint:
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YOU GOT VERY GOOD POINTS BUT.... between Berto and Cotto definitely Cotto is most likely to win. I guess all resumes to "style makes fight" but still I believe Pacquiao was better off fighting Berto if the purpose is to make 7 weight classes belts. Money may keep him away from the real goal but Money won't last, the seven belts history is forever.
Friday Nov 6, 2009 07:56:59 PM
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The Saint:
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@Anony: The thing about Pacquiao is I dont trust his ability to take a big punch from a strong welterweight. Berto's punches are sharper and seem to have a lot more snap than Cotto's. I could picture Berto jst exploding with one big punch that catches Pacquiao cleanly and takes him out. IF Cotto was to beat Pacquiao,it'll be a slow pinful death. At the same time, as quick as Berto looks, his defense is awful and getting rocked by Collazo doesn't say much about his chin, so maybe Pacquiao has a better chance of knocking out Berto early than Cotto. I think Pacquiao's goal goes beyond just a paper trail of getting titles from 7 weightclasses. He wants to do it against a fighter considered great. Berto is far from being great, he has the physical tools but he has yet to prove himself while Cotto has already beaten Mosley and Cotto.
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 06:23:32 AM
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The Saint:
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@Jason Marlimez: Pacquiao grins like a little boy at Toys R Us.
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 06:24:35 AM
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jason m:
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@The Saint, thank-you.
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 05:22:10 PM
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2009 Reader Of The Year Weighs In On Legacies Of Pacquiao And Mayweather
"Pacquiao has proven....in the ring... time and time again that he is the greatest of this time. He has earned his respect. He begs for nothing. He is a man content with his growth, his family and his achievements. A man the world has now turned it's eyes to behold. Floyd Mayweather is not even close in stature. He may possess the greatest skills but he is not the Face of Boxing today. Google Manny Pacquiao. There are 20 million searches. Google Floyd. There are 6.5 million. Look at the NYTimes, the Wall Street Journal and Time. Count how many words were used these past years to mention Floyd Mayweather. Then count the words still being printed about Manny. And keep counting. As I've said many times, Floyd has been too clever by half. He has short changed his public.....and has out-smarted himself. Manny will fight but a few more times. Enjoy it while you can. He is an all time great pugilist. Floyd, with all of his remarkable skills lack the will to be truly great in the biggest sense of the word. His legacy will look more like Holmes that Ali. He has earned it." ---November is half-way gone, but we don't need to keep counting ballots. It's a landslide. Fe'Roz has won the 2009 Reader of the Year award. His comments add to the website immeasurably, and he epitomizes the thoughtful, respectful, educated fan of pugilism we strive to cater to at TSS. Congrats, Fe'Roz, and please accept my thanks for being the valued member of this community that you are. Sincerely, Editor Mike
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