(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Although signatures are yet to be on the contracts of two of the biggest names in boxing, it seems that only a major disaster would stop the fight between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao (or the other way around?) from taking place at the MGM Grand on November 14.
This completes the final half of the 2009 thriller of a double header fight.
The other, as fans know, was cooked up three months ago, and supposed to take place July 18. Instead, it will be taking place on September 18—nearly two months before the Pacquiao—Cotto fight: Mayweather vs. Marquez .
Although it seems that this match is like a curtain raiser to the Pacquiao—Cotto fight, it does contain an amount of suspense for the avid boxing fans who know the real deal of the sport. This will amount to the event becoming a box office draw, and hopefully, garnering some respectable pay-per-view numbers.
But, you'd have to be blind to miss that the bigger of these two fights is the one taking place on November 14.
To justify this pronouncement, let us analyze both fights and get the pros and cons.
MAYWEATHER - MARQUEZ FIGHT
This fight, with all due respect to Marquez fans, is billed as it is and cannot be the other way around: On paper, this fight is a mismatch. Some also think this it may be a tune up fight.
That is why the Pacquiao—Cotto (or Cotto—Pacquiao fight) is much more intriguing.
In reality, many observers think that Marquez has an outside chance to defeat the former P4P champion. Marquez has been actively winning fights after his heartbreaking loss to Manny Pacquiao. Many believed that he won that fight anyway, which makes him "undefeated" in his last six fights.
Meanwhile, Mayweather is coming off of a long hiatus, and in high level competition such as big time boxing, this will surely affect his performance.
Will Marquez be able to cash in on this advantage?
Or will Mayweather be able to prove, beyond a doubt, that he is the great fighter that he say he is?
This will be the curiosity factor creating drama for boxing fans.
PACQUIAO—COTTO OR COTTO—PACQUIAO FIGHT
From the title itself, you can say this fight is equal in billing, and therefore a more electrifying, action-packed fight is expected. This fight can be summed up into power vs. speed, or speed vs. power, whichever is applicable.
The question is...
Can Manny use his speed to evade Miguel's power and catch him with straight lefts and right crosses to win?
Or can Miguel catch Manny with power jabs and punches, bringing devastation to the P4P king, and winning back his fearsome boxing persona?
The answers to this questions are intriguing and will only be revealed when the two square off.
That is why this is the fight of the year.
CONCLUSION
The winners of the two fights may well become the adversary in the next fight in 2010, especially if it is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
As of now, these two fighters are the most sought after in the sport, and surely everyone in the boxing world is waiting for this battle to go down.
Only two fighters can make this event not happen: Marquez and Cotto.
Their answers will only be seen inside the ring.
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