Pacquiao Brilliant, TKO's Cotto in 12th Round of Welterweight Title Fight

During Saturday night's welterweight matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at Las Vegas' MGM Grand, the blindingly fast and technically unparalleled Pacquiao proved to be too much for the Puerto Rican warrior as he scored a 12th round TKO victory over Cotto to capture the WBO Welterweight Championship of the World. Pacquiao's victory on Saturday night has made him a seven-time world champion in seven different weight classes as the Filipino legend has ascended up the various divisions in boxing ever since he began his career as a 105-pound mini-flyweight.

The fight began with fireworks as the two boxers displayed their world class skill sets; Pacquiao dazzling the crowd with his lightning fast hand speed and ability to deliver rapid-fire combinations from any angle and Cotto utilizing his left jab to keep his opponent at distance and throwing powerful shots to Pacquiao's midsection. However, Pacquiao knocked Cotto down for the second time in the fight in the final minute of the fourth round and the bout transformed from a competitive fight into a lopsided assault. Cotto resorted to entering retreat mode midway through the fight in an attempt to survive but he displayed the admirable courage and heart that he is renowned for. During his post-fight interview with HBO commentator Larry Merchant, Pacquiao was asked about a potential fight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., which is a matchup that boxing fans have been pleading for and are desperate to see. Pacquiao casually mentioned that it would be up to his negotiator, Bob Arum, to ensure that the price is right. Arum's tumultuous relationship with Mayweather is viewed as a very legitimate roadblock that could prevent the dream fight of the century from occurring.