BOXING: Big Fight LIVE - Cotto v Pacquiao

Cotto v Pacquiao is being billed as the fight of the year

It's the boxing fight that has got everyone divided and in the early hours of Sunday morning (UK), expect fireworks when WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto steps into the ring to defend his title against the p4p best Manny Pacquiao. The bout to be held in Las Vegas is one of the biggest fights of the year and has all the hallmarks of a classic. Puerto Rican Cotto lost his unbeaten record to the explosive Antonio Magarito back in July of last year but came back to clinch the vacant title by stopping Brit Michael Jennings in five. However, questions have been asked about his durability despite struggling through a points win over Joshua Clottley in his last defence. In Pacquiao, he faces a man on the verge of greatness. The Filipino is coming off wins against Oscar De La Hoya and a brutal destruction of Ricky Hatton. His dazzling speed and neat footwork have impressed the boxing fans throughout the world and should be a great asset on Saturday night. The winner will be chasing a fight with Floyd Mayweather so victory for both is a must. Both fighters are fast, have great power and like to trade, which only points to a toe-to-toe battle.

A lot of you e-mailed me last week about David Haye and how boring you found his win over Nikolai Valuev. While the approach worked for Haye, it certaintly wasn't a boxing masterclass from the Cyprus-based Londoner. This fight, however, is bound to be thrilling for anyone remotely interested in tuning in to Sky Sports on Sunday morning. I don't think it will go the distance and reckon Manny Pacquiao will win by stoppage around the 8th round. What do you think? The umaronline.com poll this week is asking: What will be the outcome of Miguel Cotto v Manny Pacquiao? Get voting!


The big fight LIVE is on Sky Sports 1, Sunday 15th November, 2am : you can also follow the action of my twitter feed @ www.twitter.com/umaronline

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Update:

Early hours of Sunday morning in London and I've just witnessed a boxing masterclass from Manny Pacquaio. The Filipino dominated the champion Miguel Cotto over 12 rounds before stopping him in the 12th and final to become the new WBO welterweight champion of the world. His dazzling speed and fast hands were a pain to Cotto all night who just couldn't move away from the blistering combinations. Pacquiao was rampant from the start and started opening up a lead over Cotto as the fight progressed. Round after round, he showed his domination by accurate combinations to which his Puerto Rican opponent had no answer. In rounds 8, 9 and 10 Cotto was on the verge of being stopped but held on for dear life and was saved by the bell. In the final round, the referee had seen enough and stepped in save the battered Cotto. It was a smashing win for the Pacman and sets up the possibility of cracking match-up with the only other man claiming to be the best p4p, Pretty boy Mayweather. Such a mega-fight is what the fans want to see. Lets want and see if the two camps can get together. On tonight's showing, if those two were going to battle it out in a super fight, I'd firmly back the Pacman to come out on top. He was simply amazing tonight.

P.s thanks for all the votes. 114 in total. Majority you backed Pacman with the win and 49% (including myself) backed him by stoppage - the right call. Thanks also for following the twitter commentary if you did. For more, keep reading umaronline.com