Miguel Cotto Gains Split Decision Victory Over Joshua Clottey

Going into the Cotto-Clottey fight, I knew it wouldn't be an easy night for Miguel Cotto. Joshua Clottey is extremely underrated and as tough as they come.

The first round saw Cotto knock Clottey down with a stiff jab. The knockdown had more to do with Clottey's balance than it did with Cotto's power. It was a good shot none-the-less - and I thought it was a sign of what was to come for the remainder of the bout. I was wrong.

Miguel Cotto suffered a cut in the 3rd round over his left eye by Joshua Clottey's head. The cut would bother Miguel Cotto for the whole bout and seriously impacted his performance on the night. Miguel Cotto had a perfectly good reason to quit after the 6th round, but he didn't. He kept on fighting, even changing tactics late in the championship rounds, from stationary target to boxer.

I thought it was a brave performance by Miguel Cotto, given the cut and who he was fighting. Champions find ways to win. Champions find ways to overcome adversity. That's exactly what Miguel Cotto did.

Realistically the fight could have gone either way, but the judges saw it for Cotto. As did I. I had the bout in favor of Cotto, 114-113. The knockdown in round one being the difference.

Joshua Clottey gave a spirited effort, but fell short again. Clottey could have taken the decision if he was busier in the final two rounds. He has no one to blame but himself.

There are serious talks of Miguel Cotto facing Manny Pacquiao, Nov. 14.

What Is Next For Manny Pacquiao?

Pacquiao, now 30 years of age, successfully dispatched yet another foe in Ricky Hatton, May 2nd, knocking him out in the second round of a scheduled 12-round bout. Going into the fight Pacquiao was the betting favorite, but the majority of boxing fans thought of the fight as 50/50; it was anyone's fight. Or so it was thought.

The Pacman got off to a blistering start, hitting Ricky Hatton at will. The right hook seemed to hit its mark every time. Manny's speed was too much for the slower Hatton, who for the life of him, couldn't escape the wrath of Manny's punches. While the right hook found

its mark often, the left hand is what put Hatton out of his misery, with the ref calling a halt to the bout in the 2nd round. Going into the fight many boxing pundits thought Ricky Hatton's advantage, if he had one, would be his strength. Not only was Manny faster than Ricky, he was stronger too.

Manny Pacquiao has been on a tear-up these last few years, jumping up and around the weight divisions successfully defeating every prime fighter put in front of him. Some of the men he has beat include the following: Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton. Impressive resume to say the least.

The pride of the Philippines isn't done yet. At only 30 years of age, he's in the prime of his boxing career and currently the greatest fighter pound for pound on the planet. The two most obvious options for Manny and the opponents most boxing fans are calling for are, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

According to boxingscene.com and other on-line boxing sources, Filipino sensation and current pound for pound number one fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao will most likely face Puerto Rican superstar, Miguel Angel Cotto should Cotto beat his next opponent, Joshua Clottey. While Miguel Cotto gets ready for his next fight, Manny Pacquiao weighs his options - and he has a lot of options. Manny can also wait around until after July 18 to face the winner of the Mayweather-Marquez bout. The ball is in his court. Who knows - Pacman may jump up in weight to fight King Kong.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. On SportsCenter

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was recently on SportsCenter to discuss his upcoming match against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, like always, was himself - arrogant, brash and beaming with confidence. Floyd is never at a loss for words, especially when it comes to protecting his economic worth with the boxing public.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. got into a spirited back-and-forth argument with the SportsCenter anchorman. The anchorman rightfully points out that Mayweather took himself out of the equation when he retired from boxing a little over a year and a half ago, and because he did, Manny Pacquiao is the now recognized #1 pound for pound fighter on the planet.

Mayweather at one point told the anchorman that Manny Pacquiao needs him, more than he needs Pacquiao. I would disagree with Floyd's assessment: Mayweather needs to realize that Manny Pacquiao is coming off a spectacular victory in which he disposed of his last opponent, Ricky Hatton in two rounds, whereas it took Mayweather ten rounds (fighting at a higher weight) to get rid of the same foe. Manny Pacquiao beating Ricky Hatton in two rounds at jr. welterweight, is much more impressive than Floyd Mayweather Jr. beating Ricky Hatton in ten rounds, at welterweight.

Whatever the case, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are on an inevitable collision course - depending on Mayweather first beating Juan Manuel Marquez in July. Should "Money Mayweather" succeed in his next fight, he will most likely face Manny Pacquio. The hype has already begun - and most boxing fans would pay to see this fight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is Set To Return July 18!

Floyd Mayweather's retirement didn't last long. The pound for pound boxing great is set to return July 18, when he squares off against current #2 pound for pound fighter in the world, Juan Manuel Marquez. The 12-round match will take place at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been out of boxing and "retired" for a little over a year and a half. Shortly after he defeated Ricky Hatton via 10th round TKO, Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport of boxing. Many people in the boxing world speculated that Floyd Mayweather's leave of absense would not last long. They were right.

Juan Manuel Marquez will be coming up in weight to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. The naturally bigger Mayweather is favored by many boxing fans to win, and rightfully so - but by no means should Marquez be a push-over; he's a gifted, tough fighter, with a great chin, commendable determination and an effective counter puncher.

It will be interesting to see how Juan Manuel Marquez deals with the jump in weight. On the other hand, Mayweather's inactivity may turn out to be the deciding factor in this bout. While Floyd Mayweather Jr. is superman, he's still human - and he's facing a gutty Mexican who will undoubtably come to fight.

Whatever the outcome, the sport of boxing is looking up. Stay tuned!