by Steve James on Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:57 pm
Since everyone's probably seen the fight by now, I'd say that it was an absolutely good stoppage. The bout was over. Give Cotto props; his corner wanted to stop the fight. When he came in after the 11th round, they told him to "keep running." He's the one who wanted to continue. Boxing (and I'd say fighting in general) is a day to day thing. That day, Pacman was clearly the better boxer--the punch count was something like 40-8 landed in favor of Pac for the last rounds). Guys get brain damage or killed in boxing matches after too many hits. Throwing in the towel (by the fighter or the corner) is the only way to end the bout except for a ref stoppage, and I think that's what should have happened.
As for Pac's greatness. Well, for his era, there's no one better I can think of. That is probably changing as we speak, but for now, I gotta give the man much respect. I don't know if there is a deep enough pool of talent --right now-- to change that. But, that's what will sell Mayweather-Pacquiao.
"A man is rich when he has time and freewill. How he chooses to invest both will determine the return on his investment."