411’s Pacquiao vs. Cotto Report 11.14.09

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 11.14.2009

Manny Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto via round 12 TKO to win the WBO Welterweight Title, which marks the seventh title in seven different weight classes for Pacquiao! Check out the full report for all the details!


Photo by Laura De La Torre / 411mania.com

Top Story photo by Laura De La Torre / 411mania.com

Alright fight fans, the night you all have been waiting for is here as Manny Pacquiao challenges Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title. The main event should begin roughly around 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT. We will have live updates of the undercard bouts (full card below), along with round by round coverage of the main event.

Be sure to also follow 411Boxing - manned by our own Ryan Bates and myself via Twitter for additional thoughts and updates.

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Jesus Soto-Karass (24-3-3, 16 KOs) vs. Alfonso Gomez (20-4-2, 10 KOs)
10-Round Welterweight Bout

Round 1: Both fighters came out looking to establish their jabs. Moments in, after an exchange of hooks and uppercuts, Gomez suffers a cut on his forehead on the right side. Good early action with both guys shooting body shots.

Round 2: Gomez is wiping away at the cut which may become a problem sooner than later. Good straight right by Gomez that lands on the eye of Karass. An uppercut misses for Karass and Gomez makes him pay with a one-two...very stiff punches and Karass was stunned for a split second. A left uppercut partially lands for Gomez, who is beginning to move his head well. Another right lands for Gomez and Karass counters with a left uppercut of his own. Fun round.

Round 3: A pair of left hooks connect for Gomez before eating a straight left jab from the forward moving Karass. Though Karass' jabs seem to have a little more steam, Gomez is making sure to throw his with more frequency. Nice right hand from Gomez, and then another one. Karass now goes to the body and they clash heads. Gomez' cut has worsened and he's taken to the corner to be evaluated. In an exchange, Karass lands another low blow and a point is deducted. Gomez is bleeding pretty badly now but is trying to force the action now. Good right hand for Gomez as the round ends.

I have it 29-27 for Gomez

Round 4: Another headbutt to start the 4th and Gomez bleeds some more. Another point deducted from Karass. Gomez lands a body shot and lands a right hand. Gomez stuns Karass with a left jab as he loses his balance. Karass lands a left to the body then eats an uppercut. Despite some fouls in this bout, it's a fun scrap - as I expected. Gomez now lands with a left but Karass keeps moving forward. Gomez is looking stronger thus far.

Round 5: Solid jab from Karass who is looking to zero in on the cut. A hard body shot from Karass but Gomez answers with a left. He's pawing away at his eye though so the blood is bothering him now. Karass connects with a left downstairs and then a powerful cross upstairs - one of his best combinations of the fight. Gomez lands a right then Karass blasts two jabs and a right uppercut. A good one-two from Karass pushes Gomez backwards. A left lands for Gomez but Karass returns the favor with a solid left hook....good combo from Karass to end the 5th.

I have it 48-45 Gomez, after 5 rounds

Round 6: Both of these guys are really digging to the body and it should start to show pretty soon. Gomez is already gushing blood again early on so the corner isn't doing that good of a job on it up till now. Gomez misses with a right but lands a left hook. Karass connects with a bodyshot and misses an overhand right. Some jab exchanging going on right now and it will probably be Karass' best weapon with that cut on Gomez who is red as red can be. Gomez is again taken to the corner to have his cut looked and it's WAVED OFF!! Fight is over...and what a disappointment as this was getting better and better. We'll now await the scores. I think Gomez wins though.

Final scores are read as: 58-54, 57-55 and 57-55 for...

Alfonso Gomez!

(I think the scores were fair and I had it pretty much the same...)

(Manny Pacquiao is shown entering the arena and gets a huge ovation.)

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(Live updates but no round by round for this bout)

Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs) vs. Daniel Santos (32-3-1, 23 KOs)
12-Round WBA Junior Middleweight Title Bout

Not many exchanges in Round 1 as Foreman was on his horse, looking to stay away from Santos' power. Some slapping shots from Yuri while Santos managed to connect with only a handful of meaningful blows. Santos clearly on the hunt. Santos tried to remain a little more stationary in Round 2, seemingly to entice Foreman to come forward. It more or less seemed to work for a few moments but no one will ever charge Foreman with trying to make a fight exciting. Santos landed a clean left that stopped Foreman in his shoes and then Santos was apparently dropped to the canvas. Looked more like a push however.

After a slow beginning to Round 3, Foreman's confidence is increasing as the lead right hand is landing more and a hard right landed for Foreman that stunned and had Santos hurt bad in Round 4. He managed to survive the round but was clearly in bad shape. Didn't see that one coming!

Santos appeared to have more or less recovered in Round 4 but Foreman is now in control of this fight. An upset in the works? Smells like it up until now.

(It's really starting to fill up here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lots of fans, celebrities and fighters making their ways in. Bobby Pacquiao just got to his seat and he's all smiles. His brother Manny was just shown in his locker room and is warming up.)

Rounds 5 and 6 have not kind to Santos who is eating headbutts like they're Tic Tacs. He goes down once again too but it's not a knockdown. Foreman has to be seen by the corner for a small cut over his left eye.

More frustration from Santos who gets butted some more and tagged with right hands after Round 7 and 8

Both Santos and Foreman stunned each other in the 9th Santos is trying to land bombs but having to chase Foreman is not helping. Foreman is out-boxing him and making him miss badly.

More headbutting in the 10th round but it's Foreman who's landing the more effective blows. I haven't seen this many headbutts since Andre the Giant took on Hulk Hogan at WM3. Santos is so out of his element right now that he looks like he's ready to just pack it in.

(Cotto is shown getting his hands wrapped and the crowd goes nuts. Sounds like the Puerto Ricans are here in full force!)

Not much going on in the 11th but in the final round, Foreman drops Santos with a well timed hook. Nice shot by Foreman! Santos gets up and looks to fight but is out maneuvered and this one is over. Foreman should pick up the win easily!

Scores are read as 116-110, 117-109 and 117-109 for the winner...

...and NEW WBA junior middleweight champ, Yuri Foreman!

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Troy Rowland (25-2, 7 KOs) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (40-0-1, 30 KOs)
10-Round Middleweight Bout

As expected, Chavez comes out looking to get an idea as to how Rowland will fight. Rowland's punches are ridiculously slow. Chavez is digging into teh body with his trademark left to the body but it's overall an uneventful 1st round. Rowland is actually landing some flush hooks to the head of Chavez in the 2nd A left hook upstairs shook Rowland up but he fired some shots back to keep Junior honest. Chavez appears to be holding back just a little but at least Rowland has remained competitive. No power on his shots though.

Rounds 3 and 4 are all Chavez in terms of the big shots but Rowland is connecting with plenty of hooks and straight right hands. Chavez has no problem with Rowland's power though and he continues to walk through them to land heavy hooks downstairs. I can see a KO for Chavez from a body shot.

I have it 40-36 for Chavez Jr.

Chavez continues to land those punishing left hooks to the body. Rowland hasn't slowed down much however but his face is starting to get busted up. Chavez needs to step on the gas. Rounds 5 and 6 were all Junior. After 7 rounds, Chavez is winning this fight no question, but he's making it a little harder on himself. He's letting Rowland come forward and throw power shots when he really shouldn't be able to. Maybe Chavez won't finish him afterall, but he really should.

(The crowd is growing extremely restless for Chavez Jr. to do something spectacular and for the main event to begin.)

Rounds 8 and 9 were more of the same.

Let's see if Chavez Jr. can do something spectacular here in the 10th round. Big right hands from Chavez but they're mostly hitting gloves. The body punching continues from Junior but his opponent isn't' wilting and in fact, keeps punching back. A few right crosses connect for Rowland including a prety hard straight right hand. The final bell rings and it's a wrap. Not a great outing at all for Chavez Jr. We await the final scores now as the crowd begins to rumble in anticipation for the main event which is up next.

Scores are in and it's 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for the winner by unanimous decision...

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

All that's left is a little more waiting and the reason you all came...Pacquiao vs. Cotto!!

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The national anthems have been sung and we now await the two fighters to head to the ring

Pacquiao heads to the ring to "Eye of the Tiger"...very fitting and the crowd goes nuts.

Cotto heads to the ring to a little Kanye West..and then a little reggeaton.

"LLLLLLLLLET'S GET RRRRREADY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!" - Michael Buffer


Enjoy the main event!!!!!!

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Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) vs. Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs)
WBO Welterweight Title

Round 1: And here we go!!! They both touch up and Cotto fires the first jab, followed by Manny who then eats a double jab from the champion. Cotto seems to want to establish the jab from the get go – a good idea. The crowd chants "Manny Manny Manny" and now we hear Cotto chants! Cotto is trying to be the aggressor and he's making Manny back up with the jab. A nice uppercut sneaks in for Cotto and Manny shakes his head. Right hook lands for Manny and then a straight left hits Cotto on the nose. The fans are hot for this fight. Good jab by both men and then a right body shot misses for Cotto. A left hook lands to the body of Pacquiao. Everyone erupts anytime a punch lands for either fighter. Pacquiao misses to the head and Cotto lands a right. Good first round and I'll give it to Cotto.

Round 2: Pacquiao misses with a wild left and Cotto lands a jab to the chin. Manny blocks a hook and Cotto blocks the incoming uppercut. You can see that Pacquiao is pushed back when Cotto lands. Two quick lefts land right down the middle for Manny. Cotto blocks Manny's combo and then eats an uppercut and a hook. Now a right lands for Pacquiao and then a left. Wow...another left up the middle for Pacquiao but Cotto makes him pay this time with a straight right that moves his head back hard. Under a minute to go and Pacquiao lands a shot to the nose. Great exchanges here with some good defense. Manny tries a combination that only partially lands. Now theyr'e trading shots!! The arena is deafening. Many tries a hard combination and then Cotto lands a big hook in the corner. Round ends...man this is awesome!!!!!

I have it 19-19

Round 3: Bayless warns both fighters from the start to watch their heads. Cotto tries to trap Pacquiao on the ropes but the Pacman blocks and moves away. Pacquiao throws a big left hand and DOWN GOES COTTO!! He shakes it off here almost midway through the 3rd. Cotto seems to be OK but it was a clean shot from Pacquiao. Cotto now makes Manny eat a HUGE left hook that stops him in his tracks. Cotto wants to trade punches now and Pacquiao welcomes them. Cotto is back to jabbing again and they're landing flush. Now Pacquiao goes for the jabs and lands a straight left hand. Cotto now with an uppercut but his eye is swelling up already. On the inside Cotto rips an uppercut that snaps Manny's head back.

29-27 Pacquiao

Round 4: Bayless warns both fighters from the start to watch their heads. Cotto tries to trap Pacquiao on the ropes but the Pacman blocks and moves away. Pacquiao throws a big left hand and DOWN GOES COTTO!! He shakes it off here almost midway through the 3rd. Cotto seems to be OK but it was a clean shot from Pacquiao. Cotto now makes Manny eat a HUGE left hook that stops him in his tracks. Cotto wants to trade punches now and Pacquiao welcomes them. Cotto is back to jabbing again and they're landing flush. Now Pacquiao goes for the jabs and lands a straight left hand. Cotto now with an uppercut but his eye is swelling up already. On the inside Cotto rips an uppercut that snaps Manny's head back.

39-35 Pacquiao

Round 5: Pacquiao comes out and moves to his left. Cotto goes back to the jab but he better not stand and trade again or it may be over. Good double jab for Cotto and left hook lands. Cotto looks to be hurt again as he eats another series of hooks. Manny has some serious steam on his punches and now Cotto goes to the body along the ropes. The excitement is unbelievable here and it's tough to type. They trade again in center ring but Cotto backs up and resets. Weight is not an issue tonight folks! OHH and Cotto lands a punishing uppercut that stuns Manny for a second. They get tangled up but it's broken up. Pacquiao and Cotto both lands straight shots and Manny misses his combination. Round is over. Good comeback for Cotto who then takes a few extra shots at the bell.

49-44 Pacquiao

Round 6: Double jabbing from Cotto but he takes a straight left. Quick left to the body of Cotto and then he takes a right. Manny is landing crosses when Cotto tries to duck down. A right lands for Manny and Cotto backs away...he might be in trouble. Another right hook lands for Cotto as it has been all night. A left hook lands for Cotto and Manny ties him up. Now Pacquiao goes to the body and Cotto misses over the top. Cotto is cut and is bleeding over his left eye. Pacquiao lands a massive hook and stuns Cotto to close the round.

59-53 Pacquiao

Round 7: some feeling out here in the opening seconds and you can tell the mutual respect is high. A right hook lands for Pacquiao and Cotto is eating too many of them. Another one lands for Pacquiao and they trade hooks in the center of the ring. Unbelievable. A left lands for Manny and then a right as Cotto's knee buckles. Cotto is too brave for his own good – he needs to box and not trade. More hooks land for Pacquiao and then a left uppercut. The Pacman is stalking Cotto all over the ring. Good left hook lands for Cotto and then a blitzing left. Cotto's face looks bruised and battered but he fights on. Manny lands a one-two and Cotto steps away. Round closes with a Manny left to the chin.

69-62 Pacquiao

Round 8: Cotto's right cheek is getting very swollen...it might close soon. Some jabbing from both guys and one lands for Cotto. Cotto is on his toes now and he makes Manny miss with a hook. A sizzling jab from Cotto snaps Pacquiao's head back. Pacquiao tries some hook and misses as Cotto's defense improves here in the 8th. Solid combo from Cotto and Manny again misses his shots. Now a straight left lands for Pacquiao and Cotto dances away. A left hook lands for Cotto as he's having his best round but is getting stunned again by hooks suddenly. A left lands for Cotto and the round is over. Cotto took that one.

78-72 Pacquiao

Round 9: Manny opens up with a straight left that pushes Cotto back. Now Miguel tags Manny with two hooks to the body. Another stiff jab snaps Pacquiao's head back. Good double left hook from Cotto. He should keep up this footwork. A left lands for Cotto and Manny responds with a right and a left uppercut. Cotto's on the ropes and Manny tees off. Pacquiao is trying to go for the kill and Cotto is on the retreat! Over a minute to go. A left and right land for Manny and Cotto's is really busted up now..this might not last. Cotto is stunned again and Manny knows it. Cotto is holding on and bleeding bad from the nose. The crowd can feel it! Pacquiao is looking for the knockout now. Under a minute left...a jab lands for Cotto and Manny says waves him in. This needs to be stopped now I think. Too much punishment for Cotto. Round is over and maybe the fight.

88-81 Pacquiao

Round 10: So we do in fact come out for the 10th round. Cotto is still trying though and he lands a shot downstairs. A left now lands for Cotto to the temple. A right hand connects for Miguel but Pacquiao keeps moving forward. Cotto tries a straight right but it's blocked. Let's see if Pacquiao tries for a stoppage again. Cotto better stay off the ropes. A right lands for Cotto and now a left jab. Manny connects with a straight left. Pacquiao stops walking and wants Cotto to stop moving away. Cotto eats a right hook and backs off. Round over.

98-90 Pacquiao

Cotto looks up at the screen as the bell rings to open the 11th

Round 11: Cotto is moving to his left and Pacquiao shows a little frustration by Cotto's movement. The steam has left Cotto's shots as his face looks like an abused slab of meat. You can't question his heart though but he's taking shots again in the corner and then he lands a left hook to Pacquiao's face. Manny is coming right after him again as he looks upset...he wants this to end. A left partially lands for Pacquiao and Cotto is mostly staying away now trying to survive. Pacquiao stops and gives Cotto a "what the fuck" look for moving away constantly. Manny misses with a left and eats a quick jab. The crowd boos Cotto's survival tactics.

108-99 Pacquiao

The corner and doc want to stop the fight but Cotto wants to finish the fight and they allow it.

Round 12: Final round! Pacquiao in complete control and he wants to close the show. A left lands for Pacquiao and Bayless stops it!!

IT'S ALL OVER!!!!!!!!!!

Referee Kenny Bayless has stopped the fight and Manny Pacquiao defeats Miguel Cotto via 12th round TKO

Pacquiao has become the WBO welterweight champ and picks up new title in an unprecedented 7th weight class.

Thanks again to everyone who tuned in! Ryan Bates will have details of the post-fight press conference shortly so stay tuned for that!