Pacquiao-Cotto "Firepower" Signed and Inked

Above is the official Pacquiao vs. Cotto “Firepower” teaser poster.

After all the seesaw debates and the arguments over the weight and the belt, the fight is signed and sealed. Manny Pacquiao will officially face WBO welterweight title holder Miguel Cotto in November 14, 2009 in Las Vegas. Dubbed as Firepower, also at stake in the fight is the newly created Diamond Belt by the WBC, which will only be laid on the line over elite fights between top fighters at certain catch weights (worthless really).

Pacquiao, the current IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight champion, will slug it out with Cotto at 145 pounds. Initially Pacquiao’s camp, Roach in particular, wanted the fight at 142. Cotto demanded that Roach’s proposed catch weight may drain him too much and argued that it should be 145 or nothing.

After agreeing to the weight terms, the issue over Cotto’s belt was next on the debaters’ table. Cotto demanded that if Pacquiao wants a shot at his belt, Pac should fight him at the welterweight limit at 147 or no fight at all. However, the powers that be concurred that if Cotto does not defend his title at 145, he will be stripped. Guess the Puerto Rican has to go with the flow with this one.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto live stream

This fight may be the most important fight of Manny Pacquiao’s career, who started his boxing profession as a straw weight (106 lbs). Should Pacquiao emerge victorious, he will become the only boxer to win seven championships in seven different divisions. He is currently even with Oscar De La Hoya with six titles each.

Elsewhere, the Mayweather-Marquez fight does not generate a lot of buzz compared to Pacquiao-Cotto mayhem. But that would still be a great fight nonetheless.

For hose who have no access to PPV come fight night, check Boxers' Camp on November 14th for live updates and round-by-round accounts, from the opening bell to final flurry.