Pacquiao-Cotto undercard report

LAS VEGAS -- In the main support to the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. scored a unanimous decision over Troy Rowland in a 10-round middleweight bout.

Chavez (41-0-1, 30 knockouts), of Culiacan, Mexico, won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 in what was an largely uneventful fight that was booed by the fans in the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena when it was finally over.

Rowland (25-3, 7 KOs), of Grand Rapids, Mich., boxed effectively in spots, but Chavez walked him down and landed the heavier blows for most of the fight. Although Rowland stood his ground and traded punches with Chavez in the final rounds of the bout, he simply lacked the power and physical strength to move the son of the Mexican great.

In one of the main undercard bouts of the pay-per-view broadcast, junior middleweight contender Yuri Foreman (28-0, 8 KOs) dropped Daniel Santos (32-4-1, 23 KOs) twice en route to lifting the Puerto Rican veteran’s 154-pound title belt by unanimous 12-round decision.

Foreman, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based orthodox Jew from Israel by way of Belarus, became the first Israel citizen to win a major world title when he out-hustled Santos to scores of 116-110 and 117-109 (twice).

The bout was tactical one between two technical fighters. Foreman employed his usual stick-and-move strategy with sporadic attacks led my lead right hands. Santos, who was dropped in rounds two and 12, laid back counterpunched for much of the fight, but alternately stalked and backpedaled away from Foreman down the stretch.

Alfonzo Gomez (21-4-2, 10 KOs) scored a technical unanimous decision over Jesus Soto-Karass (24-4-3, 16 KOs) after their welterweight bout was stopped in the sixth round due to an awful-looking cut over Gomez’s right eye that was the result of an accidental headbutt.

Gomez, a participant in the first season of The Contender unscripted television series, snapped Soto-Karass’s 15-bout unbeaten streak that stretched back to early 2005 (when the Mexican fringe contender lost an eight rounder to Yuri Foreman).

Aided by two points that were deducted from Soto-Karass for low blows (in rounds three and four), Gomez won by scores of 59-55 and 57-55 (twice). Because Gomez’s cut was caused by a headbutt and more than four rounds had transpired the fight went to the scorecards.

On the non-televised (in the U.S.) undercard:

Junior middleweight prospect Roddrigo Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs) scored a unanimous four-round decision over Martin Vierra (5-3-1, 2 KOs). Garcia, of Los Angeles, won by unanimous scores of 40-36.

Bantamweight prospect Eden Sonsona (14-3, 3 KOs) scored a second-round knockout of Eilon Kedem (9-2-4, 6 KOs). Sonsona, a southpaw from General Santos, Philippines, dropped Kedem, of New York, N.Y,, by way of Israel, with a left cross.

Middleweight prospect Matt Korobov (8-0, 6 KOs) scored a unanimous six-round decision over James Winchester. Korobov, a 2008 Olympian from Russia, won by unanimous scores of 60-54.

Flyweight prospect Richie Mepranum (15-2-1, 3 KOs) scored a split six-round decision over Ernie Marquez (9-6-2, 3 KOs). Mepranum, of Sarangani, Philippines, won by scores of 58-55 and 57-56. The third judge scored it 57-56 for Marquez, of Ft. Morgan, Col.

Lightweight prospect Abner Cotto (5-0, 3 KOs) scored a unanimous six-round decision over Lupe Guzman (3-5, 2 KOs). Cotto, a second cousin of Miguel Cotto, won by scores of 58-54 and 57-55 (twice).


Source:
           The Ring Blog

Arroyo rejoices with nation over Pacquiao win

While she failed to personally watch the bout, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joined the nation in rejoicing over Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao's victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is with Mrs. Arroyo in Singapore, said the President hopes Manny’s triumph would serve as inspiration to the Filipino youth.

"The President failed to watch the fight," Remonde said in an interview on dzBB radio, but said she joined the entire nation in rejoicing.

Remonde and Mrs. Arroyo are in Singapore to attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

"Once again, Filipino grit and determination triumphed over great odds. May this serve as an inspiration to the entire Filipino nation especially the youth," Remonde said, reading from part of the President’s statement.

Arroyo also said that Pacquiao's win showed there is no limit to Filipinos' capacity to success, as long as they work hard and "put our hearts and minds to achieve our goals."

She lauded Pacquiao for training long and hard and showing most stringent self-discipline.

"I hope we all learn from this example so together we will move forward as a nation," she said.

Also, the Armed Forces of the Philippines congratulated the Filipino boxing icon right after he was proclaimed winner in the historic bout.

“The whole Armed Forces of the Philippines congratulates its very own Master Sergeant (Reserve) Manny Pacquiao for making the Filipino Nation proud by defeating Miguel Cotto by TKO (technical knockout)," the AFP said in a text message.

It said that Pacquiao, once again, displayed the courage and determination of a true Filipino warrior.

"His victory showed us how we can be united as a people. May this spirit of oneness continue so that lasting peace and development in our country can be achieved soon," the AFP added. - GMANews.TV

Source:
          GMA News TV

Thousands gather for live feed of Pacquiao-Cotto fight

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of Metro Manila residents gathered in their cities' auditoriums to watch the live feed of the "Firepower" match between Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

Around 5,000 residents of Pateros trooped to the Pateros Coliseum for the via-satellite showing of the fight that would spell history in case of a Pacquiao victory.

A large screen projector was installed on the second floor where about 4,000 people have been seated, while six 42-inch LCD TVs were put up on the ground floor for 1,000 more viewers.

Mayor Joey Medina said this was the sixth time they were showing Pacquiao's bout for free to Pateros residents.

Satellite feeds of Pacquiao's bid to set a record by winning his seventh title in a different weight division are also being provided to other Metro Manila residents in other cities for free.

Source:
            Inquirer/Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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Pacquiao Vs Cotto Results: Manny Pacquiao won via TKO on Round 12!

Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao for winning the WBO Welterweight Championship belt. He defeated Miguel Cotto via TKO on Round 12. Pacquiao said in an interview that he’s planning to knock him out on Round 12. He also expected that the fight will be stopped on Round 11, because Miguel Cotto was so tired and looks too pathetic in the 11th round.

Here are some excerpts of the Manny Pacquiao post-fight interview courtesy of Sports Live Blogger:

“Our plan and strategy for the fight is not to hurry. You know, take time. I’m trying to test his power. In the early round I’m trying to get his in the body and in the head. I’m looking for a knock out shot that’s why I didn’t throw a lot of punches. You know, in the last minute I gave a few punches. That’s why I heard. I heard that he was bigger than me and was stronger than me. I tried my best to knock him out in the last round. I thought in the 11th round that they will stop the fight.” – Manny Pacquiao

When asked of who will he fight next:
My job is to fight in the ring. I think it’s my promoter’s decision of who will I fight next. I want to spend time with my family as of now and I want to spend a vacation. It’s a hard fight tonight, you know.

What do you think is going on in Manila and in the Philippines?
I think my Filipino fans are screaming today and they are very happy of my victory today. I want to thank you the Filipinos who came here today, specially the first gentleman and the Vice President. Thank you. Thank you to all!


Source:
          Showbiz Gossips
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