Manny Pacquiao dismantles Miguel Cotto to become boxing legend with seventh world title

The incredible skills of Manny Pacquiao shone through again in Las Vegas when he delivered another breathtaking performance to dismantle Miguel Cotto and become the first fighter in history to win world titles across seven weight divisions.

Some had claimed this would be the toughest test of Pacquiao’s career, and yet Cotto’s punches bounced of the Filipino fighter, who nullified his opponent's power and appeared unhurt throughout the contest.

Coach Freddie Roach had said that Pacquiao would win through “speed and power”, and he was vindicated. Pacquiao certainly remains a special fighter.

Pacquiao (50 wins, three losses, two draws) claimed the WBO welterweight title by reducing Cotto to a slow shadow of himself. He danced to survive the closing rounds, but was stopped in the 12th.

Pacquiao’s slashing attacks saw referee Kenny Bayless step in to stop the damaged Puerto Rican taking any more punishment 55 seconds into the final round.

Observers ran out of superlatives to describe Floyd Mayweather’s beautiful performance in picking Juan Manuel Marquez apart a month ago at the same venue, and the scene is now set. Who really is the world’s No 1 pound for pound fighter? Mayweather or Pacquiao?

What is clear is that regardless of the weaknesses of Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, defeated in the last year by Pacquiao – the boxing world has a major fight on its hands. It will require intricate deals, but it is a fight boxing needs.

With a gameplan clinically exacted, Pacquiao first lured Cotto into attacking him, soaked up the pressure and counter-punched, and then eased to dominance from the middle rounds onwards. Cotto was down in the third, caught off balance, his hands touching down.

But he was hurt in the fourth, hit by a huge left hand. With 13 seconds left in the round, Cotto just survived. Pacquiao thereafter dominated the stanzas, alternating between sitting back on the ropes, and all-out blistering attacks, opening up a cut over the Puerto Rican’s left eye.

Cotto was broken but not beaten by the last quarter, and although he won the tenth round while Pacquiao took a breather, the champion was merely holding on to keep his pride. For the second half of the fight, Pacquiao was the faster, stronger fighter. By round 12, the Puerto Rican had shipped enough punishment.

Pacquiao now looks capable of stretching Mayweather further than ever before. Expect months of wrangling before an early summer fight in Las Vegas. The world now has a right to know which of the two is the rightful pound for pound No 1.