by Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/05/2009 11:18 PM
MANILA – Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to win his 7th world title puts him on the “cusp of boxing history” according to well regarded boxing historian Bert Sugar.
“Manny Pacquiao is on the cusp of everything historical, step-in-the-ladder you can have,” said Sugar in an ESPN video. “He's on the cusp of a seventh championship in seven weight classes.”
Pacquiao will be challenging Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title on November 14.
He has already won titles in the junior welterweight, lightweight, super featherweight, featherweight, super bantamweight and flyweight divisions.
“He's moving up and he doesn't look like he's suffering from the extra weight. In fact if anything, he looks better with every fight,” said Sugar.
“He's more than a phenomenon. This guy is history in the making,” added the boxing historian.
Sugar also complemented Cotto, who is regarded by many as Pacquiao’s toughest opponent to date.
He described the Puerto Rican champ as one aggressive brawler.
“Miguel Cotto… he's always the aggressor, 90 percent of the time, he's on top of you. I don’t know of you call it generalship or aggressiveness, it's Cotto,” he said.
Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, had already admitted that the Puerto Rican champion is a formidable opponent for the Filipino idol.
However, Roach is extremely confident that Pacquiao can outbox Cotto.
“We're just fine tuning everything. He knows the game plan. We know how to fight this guy. I really do think we're going to make this guy look like an amateur,” proclaimed Roach during Pacquiao’s open work out at the Wildcard gym.
The trainer’s only concern is Cotto’s alleged propensity to perform dirty tactics especially whenever he gets in trouble.
“I'm going to make it an issue of course. I want points taken away right away or a disqualification if it's intentional,” said Roach.
Pacquiao, for his part, said his aim does not only focus on making boxing history but uplifting the Filipino spirit as well.
The pound-for-pound champ said his win can boost the morale of his countrymen especially after all the devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines.
“This fight I dedicate [to those] who are suffering from the typhoon. This is it… this is for our honor. This is for us,” said “the People’s Champ.” With reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News; and Joseph Pimentel, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/05/09/boxing-historian-pacquiao-now-cusp-boxing-glory
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