Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto
- 00:01:26
- ITN
Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto
Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is hoping to make boxing history when he faces Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday. Victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena would give the 'Pacman' a seventh world title belt in an unprecedented seventh weight division. "If I win this fight, it will be history for boxing and for the Philippines," Pacquiao said. The Filipino southpaw currently holds the IBO light-welterweight title, which he won with a stunning second round knockout of Ricky Hatton in May. He has previously held titles at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. It has been a remarkable procession for a man who began his professional career fighting at 105 pounds - 40 pounds lighter than the contracted weight for Saturday's bout. "Now to be a welterweight, I can't believe it," Pacquiao said. "I just thank God every day for what he gave to me." He acknowledges, though, that the more powerful Cotto will provide him with the toughest challenge of his career. "This is the most important fight of my career," Pacquiao said of the Puerto Rican who has an enviable record of 34-1 featuring 27 knockouts and a world title every year since 2004.
ITN | November 12, 2009
