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 Boxing's #1 pound-for-pound fighter, Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao, is set to get back into the ring on November 14th, when he faces the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto for what some say will be the toughest bout of his career.
Up for grabs in Cotto's WBO welterweight title and the first-ever WBC Diamond Belt.
After announcing their fight at an international press conference in Yankee Stadium in New York recently, Pacquiao and Cotto proceeded on the remainder of the five-city coast-to-coast, two-ocean media tour, taking them to Caguas, Puerto Rico, AT&T Park in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Calif., and PETCO Park in San Diego.
"I will train harder than I have ever trained before because Miguel Cotto will be my toughest test as a professional fighter," said Pacman. "I know Miguel Cotto is an excellent fighter and a great world champion.
"He is strong and smart and that is a dangerous combination for anyone who challenges him," he continued. "But like every fight, I will not enter the ring alone. My countrymen don't just give me their support, they also give me their strength, their pride and their love. That is why I must give my all. I fight to win and to give honor to the Philippines."
Cotto agrees, explaining that Pacman has never met a fighter like him. However, he says the best in the sport will be decided when they finally meet in the ring.
"He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like me," said Cotto. "The world will know who the best is when we meet in the ring"
Pacquiao hails from General Santos City, boasting a record of 49 wins, 3 losses, and 37 knockouts. In his career, he has won six world titles in weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. 2008 was his coming out party, when he took home world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta.
This year, he defeated junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, with a devastating one-punch second-round knockout on May 2. Now, he has his sights set on Cotto to continue his winning streak.
Cotto hails from Caguas, Puerto Rico, boasting a record of 34 wins, 1 loss and 27 knockouts. He has held a world title every year since 2004. From 2004 - 2006, he held the WBO junior welterweight crown, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the WBA welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. Notable scalps on Cotto's belt include "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Zab "Super" Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi and Demarcus Corley.
Their bout takes place on November 14th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will also be broadcast on pay-per-view for $54.95.
For more info, visit HBO.com/Boxing.
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