Despite being the only boxer in history to have won seven world titles in seven different weight classes, Manny Pacquiao still has his detractors. Those who could not bring themselves to acknowledge Manny Pacquiao’s accomplishments are maintaining steadfastly once again that Manny’s opponent was a hand picked easy win. Who in their right mind would call Miguel Cotto a hand picked easy win?
This practice of denying Manny his just due has been going on since Manny took the world by storm when he soundly beat Marco Antonio Barrera in what seems to be ages ago. But ask Barrera what he thinks of Manny, given his two fights against him in which he was soundly beaten.
Ask Erik Morales, to whom by the way, Manny suffered his last loss, if he thinks Manny deserves the recognition he gets. After a trilogy of warrior-class fighting, Morales has earned the right to authoritatively give his opinion of Manny Pacquiao.
Or, ask David Diaz, the successful Olympian who lost his lightweight title to Pacquiao. Ask Oscar, the Golden Boy, what he honestly thinks about Pacquiao. Setting aside the fact that Manny made Oscar quit on his stool and ultimately forced him into retirement, Oscar the boxer would have to admit that Manny is in fact worthy of the accolades he has been getting.
I would also suggest asking Hatton, but he was walloped into a temporary coma-state that his memory of that night would be cloudy at best. Just watch the fight. It speaks for itself. Don’t ask Marquez, that piss drinking dreamer what he thinks because he still maintains he beat Manny, despite having been floored four times and brutalized by Manny over two fights.
Above all else, ask Miguel Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico, whom Floyd Mayweather was too scared to fight that he fabricated a fake retirement to get away from Cotto, what he thinks of Manny Pacquiao.
If anyone should be able to give the most authoritative opinion as to whether Manny Pacquiao deserves the respect that some are unwilling to give, it is Miguel Cotto. Miguel is an honest and true warrior, a Champion beyond reproach. And he just finished an epic twelve round battle with Manny Pacquiao. Ask him what he thinks.
Oh wait, Larry Merchant already asked him that, to which Cotto replied that Manny Pacquiao is one of the best boxers ever. What more needs to be said?
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