He's not sure about the WBC's belt or the weight, but Wayne McCullough knows who is boxing's no 1.
Pacquiao proves his the best in the business
Miguel Cotto had a higher KO percentage per fight compared to Manny Pacquiao before their fight last weekend in Las Vegas.
But could he cope with Pacquiao's hand speed or on the other hand, would Pacquiao have been able to handle Cotto's power?
The fight was for Cotto's WBO welterweight belt and the inaugural fight for the WBC diamond belt at a catchweight of 10st 5lbs (145 lbs).
Cotto had been fighting as a full welterweight since December 2006 after dominating the light welterweight division. Pacquiao moved from lightweight up to welterweight to face Oscar de la Hoya, a fight that was also at a catchweight.
But if a fighter moves up in weight why is it fought at a catchweight, especially for a belt? As far as I know, no title exists at 10st 5lbs!
Cotto won two fights since his questionable and sole loss to Antonio Margarito - who was alleged to have loaded gloves in that contest.
Pacquiao's last defeat was in 2005 and racked up 10 wins since then. He made his pro debut at 106lbs and was now challenging Cotto 38 lbs heavier. A win over Cotto would most likely position him as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Controlling
Cotto started well in the opening round taking it on my scorecard followed by a close second. It looked as though the step up in weight didn't bother Pacquiao in the least as he began to totally dismantle Cotto en route to a 12-round stoppage win.
Pacquiao stepped up the pace and knocked Cotto down in the third round with a right hand to the head. Cotto came back a little in the fourth, controlling the round until he went down again from a left uppercut. Both of the punches that put him down came in fast and at odd angles.
Cotto was more or less done at this point but he was smart enough to move away defensively until the end of the bout. It could have been stopped a few rounds earlier but Cotto wanted to stay in the fight even with his swollen and bloodied face. It looked as though he had no resistance to Pacquiao's shots and couldn't see them coming.
Maybe the Margarito beating had taken more out of Cotto than was first thought. He was given every opportunity by referee Kenny Bayless to stay in the fight. After two rounds it looked like this could be a classic but the tide turned and Pacquiao took full control.
Stronger
Pacquiao got hit often in the first few rounds but the shots didn't seem to affect him and he ended up being too quick and accurate for Cotto. He was the stronger of the two and was hitting hard but he didn't seem to tire at all nor did he appear to break a sweat.
This was Pacquiao's first real test in this weight division and he made it look like a walk in the park. It has been claimed that he was fighting for his seventh belt in seven weight divisions but this was his fifth legitimate title win.
While Pacquiao went on to the Mandalay Bay to sing at his concert, Cotto went to hospital for observation. Pacquiao isn't a good singer but he has the confidence to do it and with the position he is in right now and his following, he could do anything and still sell tickets!
Surely Floyd Mayweather Jnr is next for Pacquiao. It is the only option and a fight the fans want to see.
