But Pacquiao wasn’t the center of attention, even if he is going for an unprecedented eighth title in another division at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas. Margarito returns to the ring after sitting out the past year due to a suspension from using tainted hand wraps in a title fight with Shane Mosley.

Margarito was recently denied reinstatement by the California State Athletic Commission. They were the governing body that imposed the suspension based on allegations and further investigation of the gloves, and wraps that Margarito used after he lost the WBA welterweight title to Mosley in Los Angeles.

So with Nevada, also out of the picture, Texas granted Margarito another chance. Top Rank was looking to keep their champion Pacquiao busy who also doubles up as a congressman in the Philippines. There is a sentiment that Pacquiao will easily win this fight. Of course, Margarito thinks otherwise as he also fights for his credibility.

“Everything is in the past and now I am in the present,” said Margaritio at the podium with an array of his Mexican supporters cheering in the gallery. “I want to thank Manny for taking this fight. It’s time to show everyone that I am still very good,” he said.

And nothing else said about one of the major mistakes made by a fighter. You have to know that your hands are being wrapped the wrong way, or that something such as plaster is being put under the wraps. Margaritio will claim innocence, so will his disposed trainers who have been handed a lifetime suspension in the states.

“You have to know, every fighter knows what’s going on but you have to give a second chance,” was the way Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach put it. Roach is respected as the best boxing trainer in the business. So he should know what goes under the boxing gloves.

But boxing goes on, and so does the mega fight that the business surly needs. Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank. Pacquiao is the major draw in boxing and once again goes for history as he awaits the hopeful showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. that could happen in the spring.

“When Floyd runs out of money, the fight will happen,” said Roach with a chuckle about the on and off again fight with Mayweather. “We will have a good training camp and go with the plan to defeat Margarito.

Said Pacquiao, (51-3-2, 38 KO’s) who returns to Cowboys Stadium for a second fight, after easily defeating Joshua Clottey back in March, defending his WBO welterweight title, “Sure he’s a cheater but I am looking for an interesting and exciting fight. He has the capability to give a good show and he is a fighter that is impressive and a talented fighter.”

Fighters like Miguel Cotto, the former welterweight champion and current super welterweight title holder can vouch how powerful Margaritio is. Cotto was pounded and dethroned by Margarito out in Las Vegas in July 2008. Cotto’s face a mess from a Margarito pounding that had everyone discounting Cotto’s ability and bragging about Margarito’s power.

So give Margarito the benefit of doubt. The three-time world champion (38-6, 27 KO’s) from Tijuana Mexico was going about his business. Or for the lore of glory went with the plan and did what the trainers asked. Boxing, not like baseball and other sports is at fault because there is no regulation with a national commissioner.

In the meantime we wait for a fight in November, though not having the implications that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will have. Margarito will return to the ring and get his share of accolades and criticism from the expected crowd of 50,000 in Texas.

Are we to accept Margarito again as a great fighter? Pacquiao will eventually tell the story on November 13^th.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The fight against Foreman, for the title, will also see Cotto move up in weight and there will be many story lines. Cotto will have famed trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner for the first time, the fight will see the return of boxing to Yankee Stadium for the first time since Muhammad Ali defeated Ken Norton by a 15-round decision on September 28, 1976 at the original Yankee Stadium.

And more importantly, Cotto needs to make a statement. He wins and perhaps there is an opportunity to become a player once again in the welterweight division. Though during the past year, Cotto a three-time world champion and veteran of 16- world championship fights has expressed an interest of taking on two more opponents and then contemplate retirement.

“A tough fight,” said Cotto (34-2 0,27KO’s) about his opponent, the 29-year old Foreman (28-0, 8KO’s) the first Orthodox Jew to win a world championship in nearly 70 years. “I am mentally blocked about Pacquiao and thinking about Foreman,” he said.

The boxing world seems to think Cotto may have lost his punch after losing the WBA welterweight title to Antonio Margarito two years ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  A battered Cotto saw right uppercuts and a bloodied nose in the third round slow his pace before the fight was stopped by his corner after 10 rounds.

Later it was revealed that Margarito fought with tainted hand wraps under his gloves when Mosley defeated him for the title that Margarito defeated Cotto for.However the prevailing opinion is that Margarito used illegal hand wraps in the Cotto fight. Margarito was suspended for a year and Cotto stayed silent about the hand wrap issue. Regardless his performance was not Cotto like, neither was it a dominant win at Madison Square Garden last June when he successfully defended his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey in a controversial and close 12-round split decision.

“Where he goes after this fight, you have to ask him,” was the comment from Bob Arum of Top Rank the promoter of Cotto and also Pacquiao. “He is still a world class fighter, has tremendous popularity and can still have an impact. It is a question of what he does against Yuri.”

The popularity of Cotto is still dominant, especially in New York City. Madison Square Garden has always been the venue for him fighting there and successfully defending his titles four times in the month of June on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day parade.

And with the popularity of Foreman, who presents a real challenge for Cotto, this fight could see a crowd in excess of 35,000 at the new “House That Ruth Built” in the Bronx. HBO will also televise the fight on their network as Cotto wants fans to see him fight without shelling out a $50 dollar pay-per-view fee.

“Defending against Cotto is a dream come true,” said Foreman who is expected to also draw a good contingent of Jewish fans to the stadium. Arum plans to stack the undercard with fighters from every ethnic group, including 21-year old Christian Martinez, 4-0, a New York City Golden Gloves champion  and promising junior welterweight who was born and raised minutes away from the new stadium.

The fight is being billed as “Stadium Slugfest” or as Lonn Trost Chief Operating Officer of the Yankees said, “Battle in the Bronx” or “Battle of the Boroughs.”  The first of many prestigious fights at the new stadium is what Trost is hoping for.  There is the possibility that will happen, except Cotto may not be in the plan if he indeed decides to hang up the gloves soon.

“It’s a great honor to have my first title defense at Yankee Stadium and join the names of such fighters as Benny Leonard, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali, and to represent Israel and the Jewish people,” said Foreman.

Except this may not be a legendary fight, more so. historic as boxing returns to Yankee Stadium with anticipation.

Email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Nevertheless, Clottey has bypassed the questions as to why he has become the second fiddle. He almost defeated Miguel Cotto last year for the WBO welterweight title, now held by Pacquiao at Madison Square Garden.  And Clottey realizes to defeat Pacquiao more punches will have to be thrown.

“You know I am not a flyweight, not a bantamweight,” says Clottey (35-3, 20KO’s) a native of Ghana now residing in the Bronx “I am a welterweight and welterweights only throw punches that connect.  I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage.”

That fight with Cotto, last June at Madison Square Garden in New York almost went to Clottey. Another punch here or there and Cotto would have been dethroned. That’s how close the fight was. “I can throw punches which connect and land and cause damage,” says Clottey.  “If you look at the last fight, I won the last round. He (Cotto) threw punches and I blocked them and threw punches and they connected. I will throw punches that cause damage,”

And if Clottey stands any chance against the powerful Pacquiao, (50-3, 38KO’s) from the Philippines, he will have to punch and also throw his jabs with authority. Pacquiao is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business and after defeating Cotto achieved boxing history as the first time seven division champion.

“My training is going to show when I get in the ring, but with Manny Pacquiao you don’t have to miss with him,” commented Clottey last week. “When he is throwing you have to let him do it.  A victory would mean very ,very more than a lot to me. That’s why I am so happy about this opportunity,”

There is constant suspicion that Pacquiao may be taking steroids, a question that has been raised now because Pacquiao refused Olympic style drug testing that caused his fight with Mayweather  to be called off/ Mayweather wanted that blood sample testing of  three random times as a stipulation and the Pacquiao camp did everything they could do to prevent it,

As a result Clottey got his big opportunity, this time at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium that could see a crowd in excess of 40,000. On the steroid issue hovering around Pacquiao, Cottey said, “I don’t want him to do that because I respect him too much. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao is doing that thing.”

“If he is doing that thing he is killing the sport. I believe in him. I know he throws a lot of punches. He is the man now and he is the best fighter out there.  When I walk in the ring I know what I will have to do to win the fight.”

Cottey was never thinking about this fight. He wanted another shot at Cotto. But the chance came, and his career has always been about defeating any fighter that would give him an opportunity. Pacquiao this Saturday night offers that opportunity and a win for Clottey could turn the division upside down.

One other factor to consider as Clottey fights for his fourth world title. His trainer, Kwame Asante was not granted a visa form Ghana. Clottey has been tutored by the veteran Lenny DeJesus of the Bronx, a valuable cut man as well who at one time worked the corner with Pacquiao’s main and acclaimed trainer Freddy Roach.

“:Lenny has over 40 years in the business and I feel very confident and comfortable with him,” says Clottey.  DeJesus has also been in the corner of Clottey as a cut man. “He was pushing me a lot,” says Clottey, “and he knows what he is doing.”

What the boxing world will find out Saturday evening is how much the Cotto fight taught Clottey. He wins and for sure he is not looked as a second fiddle when it comes to the mega fight.

GOLDEN GLOVES CONTINUE WITH DISAPPOINTING OUTCOMES:  Bronx based Victor Pena was a busy trainer the past few days preparing three of his fighters for a chance to advance in the 40^th annual Daily News New York City Golden Gloves Tournament. Pena has guided 42 champions to the illustrious gold over the years.

The 49^th annual tournament, most prestigious amateur one in the country, that has led many more to pro boxing championship fame continued last week in the New York City area. Pena packed his bags and met his kids at his temporary quarters, John’s Gym in the South Bronx.  His kids have been training there because their home gym, Morris Park was gutted by a fire in December,

Pena on three separate evenings got his fighters in his van, along with some supporters as they took the journey to Glen Cove Long Island, Flushing Queens and near the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. Golden Gloves venues are picked months in advance by Daily News Community Relations Director Brian Adams a Golden Gloves champion in the 1990’s who had a brief pro career as a welterweight.

“We prefer to do the shows at community centers and churches,” says Adams at ringside last week when the quarterfinals continued at the Electrical industrial Center in Flushing   “It’s a win situation for all,” he says as the directors of the venues split profits with tournament organizers.

As so often happens, Pena and other trainers will arrive at venues and their fighters will discover that the preparation has to wait for another day. Either one or two participants is, a no- show, or there is a medical or weight issue and the result is a bye into the next round.

Pena’s fighters get to Glen Cove and find out that their bouts in the 114 pound weight class are not until Saturday evening in Brooklyn. “Someone made a mistake, somewhere,” comments Pena.   So it is on to Friday in Flushing/

You arrive at the venue. Fighters are cramped in a back room and called one-by-one for their physicals. This time Pena’s fighter, Frank Garriga is first on the bout sheet and ready to try and advance to the semifinals in the 123-pound open class. He, like many others has no idea what his opponent will do. It is hard to study an opponent in this tournament, not like the pro game where fight tapes are available.

Garriga had a tough time with Marcus Suarez and failed to get his second pair of gloves. He won the 119-pound novice final at Madison Square Garden two years ago. “You did not do your running and lost your stamina,” said Pena to his fighter when it was all over.  “I want to turn pro,” said Garriga who felt he won the fight.

Pena quickly dispelled any thoughts to his fighter about turning professional. At the age of 21, Garriga still has plenty to learn. But like most fighters who fail to get a decision in this tournament, the feeling is they got robbed by inept judges. “No you win when you throw more punches,” says Pena.

Pena’s two other fighters, Chayanne Rivera and Jeffrey Archie also fell short in the quarterfinals on Saturday night. Rivera, of the south Bronx lost his first amateur fight getting stopped after the second round. The anticipation that was there Thursday waited another day and was quickly over.

You here the same response from Rivera, that was heard from Garriga the night before.  “I want to turn pro.” And they same response from Pena, “You are not ready,” as this trainer has concern for his fighters.   “It’s back to the drawing board,” said Pena to his fighters after Archie lost a tough decision to conclude a losing thee days.

The good thing is these are kids. The earning process to only get better, and as Archie said, after failing in his second attempt to get to the finals, “I won’t quit this tournament until I get those gloves.” Yes the Golden Gloves are so important to these young pugilists looking for prominence.  The finals are at the Madison Square Garden WaMu Theatre March 25^th and 26^th.

COTTO FIGHT HEADED TO YANKEE STADIUM:  It is not official but should be in the next few days Miguel Cotto, the former welterweight champion who lost to Pacquiao late last year will return to New York and have his next fight at Yankee Stadium Saturday June 5^th opposing Yuri Foreman in a fight that would be televised on HBO Sports.

“It’s almost certain to be a date,” said a source at Top Rank, promoter of Cotto.  The particulars as to seating and where the ring would be placed are the remaining elements that have kept the official announcement from being made.

Foreman and Cotto does not have the magnitude as a Cotto-Mayweather or Cotto-Shane Mosley bout would, however the Yankees organization is intent on returning boxing back to their palace in the Bronx, and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is a close friend of Yankees CEO Lonn Trost.

Foreman holds one of those alphabet soup belts in boxing and has a tremendous following in the New York Jewish community.  So the fight will generate some interest in the Bronx especially with the popularity Cotto has in the Puerto Rican community.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Log on to: www.keepitinthering,net

The fight will take place on March 13th on HBO PPV and will take place at Cowboys stadium in Dallas, Texas. This fight marks the biggest world championship fight to be held in a major U.S. sports stadium since the Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton World Heavyweight championship fight in Yankee stadium in 1976.

The March 13th date was originally set for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather but negotiations broke off. The stumbling block of a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao mega fight was the scheduling of blood testing. Mayweather said he believes Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao said he felt insulted to be accused of taking PEDs. So while boxing fans are the big losers in the failed attempt for the super fight, Joshua Clottey became the only winner in the fiasco. To no surprise, Clottey is more than excited to have the chance to fight the best in the world.

“This is a miracle opportunity for me,”said Clottey. To share a ring with Manny Pacquiao is something I want to do because he is the best fighter pound for pound. He beat everyone in front of him, but I promise you that we are coming to fight and we will please the people.”

In his last fight, Clottey lost a controversial split decision to Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey put on a tremendous performance against Cotto but faded in the later rounds. Despite the loss, Clottey showed that he belongs among the elite in the exciting welterweight division and bigger fights will come. There is no bigger one than this one.

“This is a very big fight. He’s one of the best fighters out there, and he’s beaten everyone they’ve given him. But we’re going to fight,” Clottey said. “I know it’s not an easy fight for me and it’s not an easy fight for him.”

Many boxing experts feel that Clottey has a decent chance of scoring the upset and he concurs with that thought when asked about his chances.

” I have everything needed to beat Pacquiao,” Clottey said. ” He throws a lot of punches but I block a lot of punches. We will see what happens. I have never lost to a southpaw in my career. When I fought Judah, he was quicker than me and threw a lot of punches. But my blocking had him confused and I took advantage.”

Clottey and his thoughts on the size advantage he will have over Pacquiao.
” Cotto had no respect for Manny’s power because he felt he was the bigger man, Clottey said.”  That will not happen to me. It does not matter how small he is. All it takes is one solid punch to the chin to knock you down and that is what happened with Cotto. It will not happen to me.”

Manny Pacquiao will try to further cement his legacy as he faces a tough challenge in Clottey. During the press conference, Pacquiao made it known that he wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. He doesn’t think the feeling was mutual.

“He didn’t want to fight me,” Pacquiao said. “I think maybe Mayweather is scared to lose.But I am not that disappointed on not fighting Floyd. It’s no big deal because I have to fight Clottey.

Manny needs to put the Mayweather fiasco behind him quickly as the fight is only less than 8 weeks away and has to put in a quicker training camp than usual. Pacquiao’s super trainer, Freddie Roach, does not seem too concerned on the fight being so close.

” We are little behind schedule,” Roach said. ” We are going forward with a six week training camp instead of the standard eight. He is doing plenty of running and playing plenty of basketball to keep him in shape. Manny is a great athlete and he will be more than ready for March 13th.”

Pacquiao was asked during the conference on how he feels about Clottey as an opponent.

“Joshua Clottey’s style is different from styles I have fought,” Pacquiao said. Clottey is bigger and taller than Miguel Cotto. I thought his fight with Cotto was very close. I have to prepare and train hard for this fight because Clottey is a strong fighter and a former champion. I won’t promise that I’ll win, but I promise a good fight.”

A source for Bob Arum of Top Rank, promoter of Pacquiao said last week that there is no way the fight will take place. He claimed, Arum, will no loner deal with Mayweather, or Richard Schaefer of Golden BOY Promotions who Mayweather hired to handle with promotion of the fight.

The sticking point is how testing procedures would be handled for both fighters. Arum has insisted that Pacquiao, the welterweight champion, and record six- division title holder will not go along with Mayweather and Schaefer demanding that their be random drug testing for both fighters before the fight.

And last week Pacquiao filed a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Las Vegas against Mayweather and his camp, and also against Schaefer and Golden Boy claiming his reputation was damaged.  The allegations that Pacquiao is backing off form random testing in fear of being exposed for using body enhancement drugs.

Now a mediator has intervened, summoned by Arum and agreed to be used by Schaefer and Mayweather.  A former Federal judge, who by the way Arum trusts, once resolved a dispute that Pacquiao had when he was with Golden Boy and Oscar De La Hoya.

But it is more than deciding how this testing would be done, also under the supervision of the Nevada State Athletic Commission which would hold jurisdiction at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.  The defamation lawsuit has made this a more nasty war out of the ring, and to say the least, even the Supreme Court would have a difficult time getting the fighters to come to an agreement.

So here we have it. The New Year is a few days old, boxing has undoubtedly the highest profile fight of all-time waiting to happen, and we are all in limbo.  First they had to agree on a date and that was resolved. Then there was the back-and-forth about a venue. From New York, to Dallas, finally the MGM because the source at Top Rank said that is where Schaefer had already made the deal.

There is also the known fact about the bitterness Mayweather and Arum have for each other. It goes back to the days when Arum promoted Mayweather, and now Schaefer gets in the mix, who works for De La Hoya, another former fighter that made plenty of money with Arum.

As soon as they finished trading jabs, Pacquiao the clear winner in the ring late Saturday night, Mayweather started to make some noise. “Pacquiao does not want to fight me or he would have said so himself,” said Mayweather. His people want ot get the fight done, so does Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach who called for the undefeated Mayweather immediately.

It has been explained to yours truly, from a source at Top Rank, the promoters of Paccquiao that the problem getting this fight together is dealing with Mayweather.  Bob Arum, promoter of Top Rank has a malicious attitude towards Mayweather his former fighter. So the negotiations that reportedly have started are going nowhere.

Mayweather wants more of the money form the purse to pay-per-view revenue. This has a potential to be the mega fight of this new boxing era, and could easily top the revenue of previous PPV fights that Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya have accomplished. It is a fight that will keep boxing in the picture because these are two fighters now that generate that type of interest.

Not since we have seen Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Rey Leonard, the prime fighters of the 1980’s have we seen a fighter like Pacquiao. The Philippine sensation made boxing history Saturday night becoming the first seven-time division champion in the sport and easily dominated Miguel Cotto.

Cotto is now a second thought. What once was talked about, a trilogy between Cotto and Pacquiao, now can become a three- time deal with Pacquiao and Mayweather. Cotto can continue to fight and work his way back into the picture. Possibly a return bout with WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley at Madison Square Garden in June, the place where Cotto reigns and always fights on the eve of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.

But the fight boxing fans and the sport needs is Pacquiao against Mayweather. Arum said the past few days that it will have to happen.  How much each fighter will get has to be determined and where it will take place is another factor before the fighters sign on the dotted line.

The original idea was to stage Cotto again against Pacquiao at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Perhaps Cotto or Pacquiao opposing Mayweather there, however, Arum now has a change of thought because of a tax structure in the state of New York that would hinder the earnings of the fighters, promoters and pay-per-view outfit, most likely HBO Pay-Per-View.

Las Vegas is the most probable option. Promoters get rooms on the house, and the Nevada tax structure is so much easier to work with.  Then there is the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium being discussed as a possible venue for the fight. Unless the New York politicians give in, and their greed and bickering won’t allow it, Pacquiao and Mayweather is not coming to Yankee Stadium.

So where do we stand? Boxing fans want an answer soon because the sport is in need of this mega fight. They are looking at a date in May to get this done.  Reports are Dallas is the lead contender to host the fight. And the Cowboys Stadium has the largest video board for a sports venue that will allow those with the cheaper tickets to attend and see the fight from the upper rafters.

Arum, even with all his past animosity with Mayweather, knows also that the sport needs to stage this fight and is willing to put differences aside.  And though Pacquiao has not commented about an impending meeting with Mayweather, he too knows the significance of this potential fight to be.

After a vacation with family, Pacquiao with a clear mind and rest should be more than ready to make a deal.  Mayweather also needs to meet him half way and also knows differences with Arum will be put aside to get this fight done. It is for the betterment of the sport to make sure that Pacquiao and Mayweather touch gloves soon.

If not, the boxing world puts itself in the same situation. Less interest and fights of minimal value that carry no weight, or do nothing to bring the sport back to respectability. Cotto and Pacquiao gave us some hope that sparked some mainstream media interest again for the sport. Now we need Mayweather and Pacquiao to continue the process.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

Pacquiao out punched Cotto from the fourth round on, and like he has done with previous opponents he used speed and power to his advantage/. Pacquiao also becomes the first seven-time division champion and up next is a potential lucrative pay day with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“The strategy of the fight was to take time and not hurry,” said Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38KO’s). “We were very careful in the early rounds,” he said as Cotto tried all he could to use his devastating left hook that had little impact on Pacquiao.  “Im trying to test his power in the early rounds that’s why I wanted to get hit in the body and the head,” he said.

Pacquiao also used good strategy against Cotto that his trainer Freddie Roach preached in their intense training camp. “I was looking for a knockdown shot, he said. “That’s why I didn’t throw a lot of punches. That’s why in the last seconds, I threw the good right hook.   I kept pressuring him and was very careful of his counter.”

But the counter never seemed to work for Cotto. After the fourth round it was all Pacquiao who knocked down Cotto with a left hook in the third round, and he knocked Cotto down again late in the fourth round as Cotto advanced to him.

The first four rounds reminded many about the Hagler-Hearns wars of the 1980’s with Cotto and Pacquiao trading and taking some punches, but Pacquiao was able to do more and took command of the fight after that. It was all Pacquiao, who led on all of the judges scorecards as it appeared Cotto took the first round and he barely won the fifth with some good counter punching.

“We were trying our best to try and knock him out because that is what my trainer said,” commented Pacquiao. But Cotto with a swollen face and blood flowing form his nose, with cuts showed his pride and determination by refusing to quit. His trainer Joe Santiago thought about stopping the fight earlier but saw that his fighter had the ability to continue,

“I thought in the 11th round they were going to stop the fight.  I was surprised,” said Pacquiao about the fight not being stopped sooner. Pacquiao also said that he would not consider moving up in weight class again. “154 is too big for me,” he said.

On a possible fight with Mayweather, a name the sold old crowd at the MGM Arena started to chant, Pacquiao said “My job is to fight in the ring and that depends on my promoter Arum (Bob) to negotiate that fight.”It was a hard fight. Cotto is a tough opponent,” he said.,

A battered and defeated Cotto (34-2 27 Ko’s) will take some time and think about his options. His last fight back in June he barley defeated Joshua Clottey at Madison Square Garden in New York City. “You don’t have to tell me anything,” he said, “Its part of my job. I’m pretty proud of what I have done in the ring.”

He added, “ I did not protect myself from the punches   I fought everybody  Miguel Cotto came to fight all the big names and Manny is one of the best of all time.”   And about his trainer stopping the fight earlier, Cotto said, “I told Joe to stop the right when the round was over,,” he commented about the 11^th,” but I think better it was my decision.   I will continue fighting.”

Now fight fans await the negotiations. Roach wants Mayweather and Arum will have a rough time at the table because Mayweather is an adversary. “I said we were going to break him down and we did,” said Roach about Cotto.” Manny put pressure down and early in the fight he was assessing Miguel’s power.”

MORE TO COME     e-mail Rich Mancuso Ring786@aol.com

“In this fight, he is not the star of the show,” said Arum about Cotto at the final news conference for a fight that needs no hype. Cotto and Pacquiao proudly have nine world titles in seven weight divisions, Cotto (34-1, 27KO’s) of Caguas Puerto Rico with three titles to his credit. Pacquiao (49-3.2, 37 KO’s) from the Philippines is also considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the business.

“But he plays a role that has made this fight what it is,” says Arum about Cotto. “Miguel Cotto is the biggest obstacle in Manny’s path. He is a true welterweight with a heart as big as this room. When the bell rings there won’t be one icon and one great fighter. There will be two great fighters in the ring and they will be fighting for their country and their families.”

And also fighting for the sport of boxing because this has become one of the most anticipated and talked about fights in years.  Not since the great welterweight wars that involved Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Rey Leonard has boxing seen the magnitude of two great fighters like this.

There is no telling how far this fight will go, but the implications after the result will also create interest in what is perhaps the premiere division in the sport. Waiting in the wings for the winner is an inevitable clash with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. Reportedly a Pacquiao win could have him facing Mayweather at the new billion dollar Yankee Stadium in New York, or the comparable new football home of the Dallas Cowboys.

But Cotto can change the entire scope of where Mayweather fits in the picture. “I know the skills of Manny,” commented Cotto who had, what has been claimed to be the hardest and best training camp of his career in preparation for this mega fight, “We created a game plan for this fight and we are pretty sure this is going to be a great fight for boxing all over the world but especially for the Latin fans and the Puerto Ricans.”

Though Cotto never thrives on the future and Mayweather, looking in, is not a priority to him at least for the moment. Pacquiao has lived up to his distinction as being the top fighter in the game and in many ways, so has Cotto. The difference is Cotto fighting again at his natural weight and Pacquiao has moved up to another weight division which has never proved to be a problem.

To that Pacquiao said, “This fight is the most important of my boxing career .because if I win this fight I will go down in history. It’s a big honor for my country, for my family and myself. That’s why I work hard.” And it has more to do than the winner getting the new WBC Diamond Belt.  The winner is guaranteed more lucrative pay days and pay-per-per-view revenue that could surpass previous earnings of Mayweather and

Oscar De La Hoya.

And Pacquiao is claiming, “This is a once in a lifetime fight.”  Arum, who promotes both fighters, is in the driver’s seat either way.  When the fight was officially announced with a five city coast-to-coast tour in September, the kickoff at the new Yankee Stadium, there was mention of a trilogy between his two fighters, the next one at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Then Mayweather started to make some noise, of which Arum has had a previous and bad history with “Mayweather is just a showman and not a fighter,” said Arum when asked if Cotto or Pacquiao is in the plan to fight Mayweather. But the most likely and lucrative fight, even before Cotto and Pacquiao talk trilogy is Mayweather taking on the winner after the final result is in Saturday evening.

The pick here: Pacquiao in eight rounds by TKO. He may be too quick for Cotto and if he gets his opponent in the ropes it spells trouble for Cotto.

THROWING THE PUNCHES: The Nevada State Athletic Commission which is sanctioning the Cotto-Pacquiao fight recently approved the use of instant replay to be used in televised fights in their jurisdiction/ Though it is not known if the rule will be implemented for Cotto-Pacquiao.

Good for boxing when it comes to controversial scoring decisions based on the discretion of a referee when it comes to a knockdown or slippage.  Sometimes the knockdown as opposed to the slip can be vital in the final scoring of the judges as to a 10-8 or 10-9 round….

The career of Hector Camacho Jr, has been revived after his recent unanimous decision win over the veteran champion Yori Boy Campos. Camacho, son of former champion Hector of Spanish Harlem came in the ring at his heaviest weight, 174 and claims he can be a contender now in the welterweight division. His next target, Fernando Vargas, who has made noise about coming out of retirement after leaving the ring a few years ago with a bad back…

So Paul Williams gets his date in Atlantic City, December 5^th on HBO but it is not for the middleweight championship against Kelly Pavlik.  Instead Williams, a definite threat to Pavlik, draws Sergio Martinez the exciting puncher from Argentina. Pavlik pulled out of the fight last month when it was well known his bad left hand would not heel in time. So what happens?

Williams gets to keep his HBO date and Pavlik weeks later, when it was said he could not fight for another seven weeks, signs on to defend his middleweight title against the lesser known and easier opponent Miguel Espino in his hometown of Youngstown Ohio. Pavlik also makes out on the deal getting a more lucrative deal as the fight will be televised on HBO PPV.

A good under card bout on the Williams card in Atlantic City, now moved to a ballroom instead of the more known Boardwalk Hall. Welterweight Johsua Clottey of Ghana and now residing in the Bronx, who gave Cotto a scare in June at Madison Square Garden, takes on the tough Carlos Quintana…

John Ruiz the two-time heavyweight champion is a stubborn and persistent fighter who believes his time is still coming to make boxing history. The first heavyweight champion of Latino descent form the United States gets his chance when he takes on newly crowned WBA champion David Haye.  Haye made history becoming the second light heavyweight champ to take a part of the heavyweight title, the first being Evander Holyfield…

January 30^th out in Vegas another compelling welterweight bout. Andre Berto the WBC champ taking on veteran WBA title holder Shane Mosley, also on HBO and a fight that makes it more interesting for Cotto, Pacquiao and Mayweather. Do we smell possible unification of the title again, or maybe not because the promoters and sanctioning bodies don’t want it that way,,,

The 42-year old Bernard Hopkins, partner with Oscar De La Hoya Golden Boy Promotions wants to make his hometown Philadelphia proud when he steps in the ring to defend his light heavyweight title on December 4^th at the Liacourras Center when he opposes the unknown Enrique Omeles…   …

And the busy end of the year boxing calendar continues on December 13^th, the interesting and return 12-round bout that fans anticipated after their first bout. Paulie Malignaggi of Brooklyn New York, the junior welterweight meets Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz this time at a neutral venue, the UIC Pavillon in Chicago Illinois to be televised on HBO

Many felt that their first encounter on August 22, in Diaz’ hometown of Houston Texas was a hometown decision as Malignaggi threw more punches and got the best of Diaz. “I am not going to dwell on the past,” said Diaz this week when the fight was announced. “This time it is a different city and a new and different game plan.”

Said Malignaggi, the former junior welterweight champion who revived his career in that first bout, “I made enough of a stink after the first match to help get the rematch,” And indeed he did as his promoter,  Lou DiBella, one who is very vocal about bad decisions immediately petitioned Diaz and his management, Golden Boy Promotions, to put the gloves on again and do it at any other place but Houston Texas where Diaz still resides and is extremely popular.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Regardless, Arum has plans to unify the featherweight championship and that begins tomorrow night at the Garden WaMu Theatre. WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez and WBA champion Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba defend their respective titles in separate bouts on the “Island Warriors” “Latin Fury 12” pay-per-view show.  If both prevail, Arum has plans to put both fighters in a mega unification bout, in the Garden main arena, possibly with Cotto as the headliner.

“It is in the plans,” said Arum about a June date at the Garden. “These are two fighters that bring excitement to the sport and we have every intention of putting this together,” he said. And Arum, has that good working relationship with the Garden to put the fight together in New York with hopes Cotto is available and still holding his title.

Though if Cotto does prevail, there is still talk he could oppose Floyd Mayweather Jr. sometime next year either in Las Vegas, or in New York City at the new Yankee Stadium. A Top Rank source said the Yankees are very much interested in staging a Cotto-Pacquiao return bout if Cotto wins.

Mayweather recently returned to the ring and dominated Juan Manuel Marquez. And there is no doubt that a Cotto-Mayweather bout at Yankee Stadium will sell out and draw major pay-per-view numbers.  Arum, who used to promote Mayweather, would prefer his two fighters, Cotto and Pacquiao to have a trilogy. But Maywetaher, back in the picture may spoil his plan.

In the meantime the “Island Warriors: card is expected to sell out and has a good under card to supplement the main event.  Middleweight contender “Irish” John Duddy, looking to make an impact again is on the card along with former heavyweight contender Monte Barrett facing WBC 7^th ranked heavyweight Odlanier Solis of Cuba.

“For any Puerto Rican this is  a big site, this is a big venue and this is where you want to be,” said Lopez (26-0, 24 KO’s) of Caguas Puerto Rico. He trains with Cotto and knows how important it is to be fighting on the big stage at the Garden, even though it is not in the main arena,

To that Lopez said, “This is where you want to showcase yourself like Miguel Cotto and Tito Trinidad.  I talk to Tito almost every day and he tells how exciting it is to be fighting at the Garden. It is a very special place to fight. I am on the road to gaining all the exposure that I need.”

Lopez is in the second year of his title reign after dethroning defending champion Daniel Ponce De Leon via a first round knockout last June. He has successfully defended his title four times since, all by knockout and is billed to be the next exciting fighter out of Puerto Rico, of course next to Cotto.  He opposes Rogers Mtagwa (26-12-2, 18 Ko’s) of Philadlephia, 15^th ranked by the WBO.

“I’d like to win four titles in four weight divisions,” he said, “something that no Puerto Rican has ever done. That is my goal. I fee like I will go to 126 sooner rather than later. I started at 21 years old and have been fighting for five years at 122-pounds.and now my body is ready to go up.

Lopez talks to the former champion Trinidad constantly about the pressures of being a champion and not looking ahead to the next opportunity.  Trinidad has attended most of his fights but won’t be there tomorrow because of a family commitment. “He is my idol,” says Lopez.

“He always tells me about the great experiences he had at the Garden. A lot of people are talking about Gamboa but I don’t think about that, I think about my next fight,” said the 26- year old who is 5-0 in championship fights. “Gamboa fight might happen but that is far down the road,” he said.

The undefeated Gomboa, (15-0, 13Ko’s) who won Olympic gold in 2004, one of the promising fighters in the division opposes (WBA 13^th ranked Whyber Garcia (22-6, 15 KO’s) of Panama City Panama.  An exciting and aggressive fighter, Garcia has won four of his last five fights the loss was for the world title WBA super featherweight champion Jorge Linares last year.

“I have to win the fights and convincingly to get to where I want to get,” he said. “Just being in the storied building (The Garden) means I have achieved my goals  I can feel the energy like it is on my doorstep but first I have to past this test on Saturday before I think about what happens next.”

He commented about leaving his country and pursuing his goal of becoming a world champion. “It was a big risk for me to leave and take the stuff that I took, leaving not only the boxing team but my country. It goes on to prove that if I seat a goal I can accomplish it.”.

Camacho Legacy Continues:  Hector Camach Jr. believes this is his time much like the saying that his father, the former 4-time world champion Hector Sr. said over the years.  And the native of Puerto Rico and Spanish Harlem, now residing in Orlando Florida believes he is a better fighter and belongs in the same class with Cotto, Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Camacho, (49-3-1) the WBC Caribbean light middleweight champion begins his comeback to the championship ladder when he opposes former 2-time champion “Yory Boy” Campas of Mexico on Friday October 30 from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso Texas to be seen on pay-per-view.

“Yory Boy, he’s not a walk in the park,” said Camacho last week from his training quarters down in Orlando “He has been there. He’s coming to fight the fight. It’s a perfect style as he comes straight in” Added is a motivation factor because this past May, Campas and Camacho Sr. fought to a draw.

So there may be some vindication as well. “I have a score to settle with Yory Boy. This is as important to me as it is to my father,’ said Camacho who also wants it known that he should not be compared to his father when it comes to his ring entrance and style in the ring …

E-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Arum is familiar with the trilogy, especially when it comes to welterweights having been a part of lucrative promotions in the 1980’s with Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.  Years later, the division is the best in boxing and in the mix again is the r Floyd Mayweather Jr. who gets back in the ring again Saturday evening opposing Juan Manuel Marquez Saturday evening out in Vegas, a fight televised on HBO pay-per-view.

“This fight will be the most exciting and memorable event that Top Rank has promoted in 40 years,” said a gleaming Arum as Cotto and Pacquiao kicked off a five city media tour to promote the fight at Yankee Stadium last Thursday.  The Yankee Stadium press conference is also an indicator that boxing will return to the new stadium.

Arum and New York Yankees Chief Executive Officer Lonn Trost have been friends over the years, and there has been discussion with the two about hosting a major fight at the new ballpark in the Bronx. Reportedly, if Cotto wins in November the second of a possible three fights will take place at Yankee Stadium.

“I am not ruling that out,” claimed Arum about a Cotto-Pacquiao fight at the Stadium. He also said Mayweather could also get Cotto, but Arum, who once promoted Mayweather has made it known that his two fighters are more exciting and not entertainers like Mayweather is.

Either way, Mayweather could spoil the plans if he prevails Saturday.  Boxing fans suddenly get two possible fights with anticipation if Mayweather prevails. There could be a Mayweather-Pacquiao or Mayweather-Cotto fight on the horizon. But the logic is that Mayweather, who returns to the ring after a year-and a half of inactivity does not deserve immediate title consideration.

“I am certain it will take place as an exciting and action packed classic such as Hagler-Hearms and Ali-Frazier III,” said Arum referring to some of the great trilogies in boxing history that Arum has promoted. Top Rank staged the last fight card at the old Yankee Stadium on September 26, 1976 when heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali got a decision over Ken Norton in their third epic fight.

“Firepower” as the fight has been billed will be the anticipated one of the year as Pacquaio, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, and Cotto offer excitement and have a tremendous fan base.  “Pacquiao and Cotto will join that list of boxing classics,” said Arum about the trilogies he has promoted over the years.

As for the fight, Cotto (34-1, 27 Ko’s) of Caguas Puerto Rico, has made it known he has overcome any flaws that were seen in his last fight when he won a controversial 12-round unanimous decision against former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey in June at Madison Square Garden.  Cotto sustained a nasty cut then over his left eyebrow from a Clottey head butt in the third round that needed six stitches below is eye and 14 in the bad one above his eye so he had trouble seeing Clottey’s right hand.

“It is the biggest step of my career,” said Cotto about his upcoming fight with Pacquiao Once again Cotto will set up training camp in Tampa Florida with his trainer Joe Santiago. “He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like me,” he said referring to Pacquiao who has won six world titles in as many weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds.

In his last fight back on May 2, Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37KO’s) dealt defending junior welterweight champion Rickey Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout. “Miguel Cotto is strong and smart and that is a dangerous combination for anyone that challenges him,” said Pacquiao.

And Pacquiao once again has his trainer, Freddie Roach, perhaps the best in the business. All focus and concentration now for Pacquiao as Roach tries to keep his popular fighter from the Philippines free from the distractions due to his popularity. “There won’t be any distractions,” said Roach. “I won’t let that happen.”

“He has respect for every fighter he meets and I am expecting the fight to go the distance,” added Roach.  “Can’t let this guy (Cotto) land that left hook…We will be well prepared. It’s a good match up and if there is a trilogy it will be good for boxing.”

The fight televised on pay-per-view is what boxing needs. The two fighters know that, so does Arum who has a way of making noise to try and revive a sport that is desperate for some excitement. Cotto and Pacquiao could certainly revive some interest.

“Cotto vs. Pacquiao will join that list of boxing classics,” promised Arum. And barring no complications it certainly should.

Throwing the punches: Arum also has a good card set for the Madison Square Garden WaMu Theatre “Island Warriors” also known as “Latin Fury 12” on Saturday evening October 12 also on pay-per-view. Juan Manuel Lopez ( 26-0, 24KO’s) the WBO junior featherweight champion from Cotto’s hometown of Caguas opposes (26-12, 2, 18Ko’s) Rogers Mtagwa of Philadelphia

The co-main event is undefeated WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (15-0, 13Ko’s) of Cuba defending against 13^th ranked Whyber Garcia (23-6, 15KOo’s) pf Panama City, Panama. If all goes to plan, Arum hopes to main event Lopez against Gamboa in the Garden main arena sometime next year…

Hector Camacho jr. is in the ring again and serious about a title opportunity. His next test is trying to overtake the veteran and former IBG light middleweight champion “Yori Boy” Campus (92-14-1, 74KO’s) of Mexico, Camacho (49-3-1, 27Ko’s) son of  the former champion Hector Sr. is claiming this time he is in the best condition of his career and ready to make an impact.

Said Joe Diaz, trainer of Campus, “No Puerto Rican will ever beat a Mexican.” The fight will be hostile territory for Camacho as it takes place on the campus of UTEP in El Paso Texas on October 30^th next to the Mexican border. And in past boxing history the words of Diaz may be true. Most recently, Cotto lost to the Mexican Antonio Margarito for Cotto’s WBA title. We all know though that fight was contested as Margarito was suspended for a year for using tainted hand wraps under his gloves…

Heavyweight John Ruiz is still in the picture for another opportunity with the various alphabet soup organizations. The former two-time champion is hoping to get a title shot against either Klitschko brother Vitali the WBC champion or Wladimir the IBF champion,  Vitali defends against Christobal Arreola September 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles televised on HBO…

Julio Chavez Jr. son of the legendary champion of Mexico City (40-0-1, 30KO’s) easily disposed Jason LeHoukkier in less than a round this past weekend. The junior middleweight is ranked third by the WBC and will soon get a title opportunity against the champion Sergio Martinez.

Giovanni Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic, who opted to stay at middleweight and not enter the Showtime upcoming televised Super Middleweight Tournament, will get his title opportunity. He has arrived in Neubrandenburg Germany for his Saturday battle with Sebastian Sylvester for the vacant IBF Middleweight championship…

Arum says he does not fear the popularity of MMA fighting that does record numbers of pay-per-view and has hurt the sport. “They don’t box, they brawl and they are a bunch of…. “ Determine what he said in sexual connotations as to what MMA fighters do when they are on the mat. Uncalled words from Arum who with some fighting words, knows that rival promoter Oscar De La Hoya is involved with MMA which has become a lucrative industry and has taken in more than one boxing fan..

Our best wishes to fight broadcaster Nick Charles of Showtime who is in his biggest fight to overcome his battle with cancer. Nick is on the sidelines undergoing treatments in Texas and thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.  He is one of the good guys in the business who knows how to call them at ringside with partner Steve Farhood.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com