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by David P. Greisman - Manny Pacquiao, basking in admiration, savoring the moment, pulled himself up on the ropes. The slow-motion camera captured him, two raised fists, a bare-chested hero looking out, the clarity of the camera shot presenting a 147-pound man as the larger-than-life figure he’d become.
Behind him and below, Miguel Cotto peered through distorted features: swelling above his right eye, bruising below, a cut over his left eye. His mouth remained agape as someone dabbed at the blood, wiped off the sweat. Someone else grabbed his right arm, and his puffed lips pursed shut. “I’m fine,” he said, an insistence, an answer to a question normally reserved for his opponents.
Pacquiao, a mercenary unmatched, had disposed of yet another who stood against him. With that: his 50th win, his 10th current or former titlist vanquished, his seventh world title captured, his third “Fighter of the Year” award cemented.
Cotto had been saved by mercy, the referee stepping in 55 seconds into the 12th round, stopping the bout after the 336th punch to hit him, the 276th power punch landing solidly but being no worse, no more damaging than many that preceded it. The technical knockout as much saved him from further punishment as it did acknowledge that the fight, in reality, had long been over.
Cotto’s father had asked his son’s trainer to stop the bout before the 12th round even began. Cotto’s wife and son had left the arena after the 9th round ended.
Pacquiao, neck-and-neck with Cotto at the beginning, took the lead early and, as he has done again and again, used his speed to pull away. [details]
Behind him and below, Miguel Cotto peered through distorted features: swelling above his right eye, bruising below, a cut over his left eye. His mouth remained agape as someone dabbed at the blood, wiped off the sweat. Someone else grabbed his right arm, and his puffed lips pursed shut. “I’m fine,” he said, an insistence, an answer to a question normally reserved for his opponents.
Pacquiao, a mercenary unmatched, had disposed of yet another who stood against him. With that: his 50th win, his 10th current or former titlist vanquished, his seventh world title captured, his third “Fighter of the Year” award cemented.
Cotto had been saved by mercy, the referee stepping in 55 seconds into the 12th round, stopping the bout after the 336th punch to hit him, the 276th power punch landing solidly but being no worse, no more damaging than many that preceded it. The technical knockout as much saved him from further punishment as it did acknowledge that the fight, in reality, had long been over.
Cotto’s father had asked his son’s trainer to stop the bout before the 12th round even began. Cotto’s wife and son had left the arena after the 9th round ended.
Pacquiao, neck-and-neck with Cotto at the beginning, took the lead early and, as he has done again and again, used his speed to pull away. [details]
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