143 catch-weight will only diminish Pacquiao's legacy

Most recent reports coming out from the Manny Pacquiao camp indicate that they now want Miguel Cotto to go down to 143 if they were indeed to meet on top of the ring for a year-ending boxing blockbuster.

Honestly, I was already a little bit skeptical about the 145 or 144 stipulation since it takes away from the accomplishment. If Pacquiao wanted to fight Cotto, people want to see him fight the real Miguel Cotto not a compromised version of him. 

The whole Oscar De la Hoya situation was a totally different case. Oscar thought he can take advantage of Pacquiao and his ambitious nature and take the easy way out be fighting a smaller man for his retirement fight. Back then, nobody knew how Pacquiao would do moving up 12 pounds in weight and the disparity in height and size was just too big of a difference for them not to give Pacquiao concessions. Add to that the fact that De la Hoya and Pacquiao were the two most popular boxers during that time and had somewhat of a personal conflict from when Pacquiao spurned the contract he signed with Golden Boy. There were a lot of intangibles that pushed the fight to happen. It was "The Dream Fight", by all means it had to be done.

After the fight however, Pacquiao proved that he can hang in the higher weight classes. He beat De la Hoya at 147 and despite people saying he was dehydrated and all, I still believe he was simply outclassed. It's just a matter of which De la Hoya you believe. The De la Hoya that said before the fight that he was utilizing all the technologies and sciences available for him to lose weight properly and that he was feeling great and stronger than ever (Not to mention employing two of the greatest trainers in boxing history). The De la Hoya that told Freddie Roach after the fight that he simply did not have it anymore and that Pacquiao was just a great fighter and deserved everything he achieved. Or the De la Hoya that told the media weeks after his embarrassing loss that he was simply dehydrated and drained. Personally, I tend to hear-out what people say first and use my observations and logic to make the call. And from what I saw, coupled by Pacquiao’s destruction of the then best 140-pounder in the planet in Ricky Hatton, regardless of what the Golden Boy says, the fact is that Pacquiao is still one of the best fighters even at welterweight. He did not ask Hatton to go below his natural weight and he simply destroyed the linear champ who incidentally was also undefeated at 140. The lack of big names in 140 leaves Pacquiao no choice than to fight the bigger names at 147 if he truly wanted to stage the biggest event and further his legacy.

But if Pacquiao is going to force Cotto into agreeing to fight him at 143, I’d rather have him fight a willing Mosley at 143. The difference is they want it. De la Hoya wanted Pacquiao at 147 and bragged before the fight he felt great in the weight, so he deserved the beating he got and makes his complaints about dehydration sound more like excuses.. So if Mosley wants Pacquiao at 143, by all means.

Cotto has already shown in the past  that he could not force his body to lose any more weight. He can legitimately claim that another pound demanded by Pacquiao for him to lose after conceding a couple already is simply overkill. He may very well agree to the 143 catch-weight because the money will be too hard to pass up, but beating Cotto because he is dehydrated nullifies the glory of the victory. The money Pacquiao will make will still be glorious but fans don't get any of the money fighters make anyway so why concern themselves with that. If we're talking about legacy, which I’m sure Pacquiao and his fans value, fighting Cotto at 145-144 which Cotto said he could swing, is enough to keep the fight legitimate. Anything lower than that would somewhat be an abuse of power. That's not what Pacquiao's career and legacy has been about. His mystique is that of an underdog that took on all challenges, not the bully who strongarms and takes advantage of his leverage. And being that he's on the way out, why would he want to taint that image now?

Remember how  you felt when you found out Pacquiao was forced to wear Winning gloves instead of his Cleto Reyes punching gloves in his loss to Morales?

In my perfect world, I’d rather Pacquiao really just fight Cotto straight-up at 147 if he really feels he can beat him. Win or lose, there will be no shame in that. If he doesn't feel he can beat Cotto fair and square, then find somebody at 140 and sacrifice a few million dollars for taking a lesser risk. There’s no shame staying at your rightful weight class and sweeping the belts. I believe in earning whatever it is you get in life. To this point, I believe Pacquiao earned everything he has achieved and should be fully credited for all of his victories including his beating of De la Hoya. If he however insists on having Cotto go down to a weight the Puerto Rican already mentioned he couldn’t make and would be extremely uncomfortable with, then a victory over Cotto at 143 will definitely feel half-baked. It’s almost as if it’s not boxing anymore and turns the contest away from Pacquiao versus Cotto into Cotto versus the scales. The biggest payday of his life would be too hard to pass up though for Cotto that 143 would be a bait he might actually just bite.

That isn’t really what Manny Pacquiao has been about though. Pacquiao’s legacy has always been about taking the biggest and most dangerous challenges. That’s how he earned the Mexicans’ respect by beating all their legends. That’s how he made Americans look and remember his name after beating De la Hoya. That’s how he turned the Brits into believers after beating Hatton. What would beating-up a reluctant and drained Cotto at 143 do? He's already the Pound-For-Pound king, why would he want to be called the Drain-Your-Pounds King?

I’m not saying Cotto can’t win and that Pacquiao will have a walk in the park if they do face at 143, but it will definitely take away from the achievement if Manny wins. Most of you might disagree with me, and that's cool, but this is just my take on it; my honest 2 cents. 147 would be perfect, but 144-145 is enough for the fight to make sense.

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Pacquiao-Cotto: Right Fight, Wrong Time

By Michael Herron - After a mediocre summer that saw several high profile fights cancelled and/or rescheduled as a result of injuries, boxing looks to get back on track in the autumn of 2009. As of this moment however, the only major fight currently scheduled is a September 19th clash of pound-for-pound staples Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. Other match-ups being discussed are David Haye vs. Vitali Klitschko, which could hopefully bring excitement to the heavyweight division and most intriguing of all is a highly anticipated match between the current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto.

Negotiations involving Pacquiao-Cotto have been well documented and many boxing sites and sporting authorities have covered the story. Even as I write, the fight becoming a reality can be but a signature away. Though boxing fans are clamoring for this fight, it is my hope that patience and logic will intervene before any deal is reached. Pacquiao-Cotto looks great on paper and the thought of these two going at each other sounds like great fun, but it is this writer’s opinion that it is the right fight but at the wrong time..

When discussing the boxing business, it is always important to think in terms of risk vs. reward. It is not simply the fighters who are bound by this rule but also promoters and when it comes to Pacquiao-Cotto, Bob Arum and Top Rank are in a win-win situation. Both fighters are with Top Rank and Arum would be in total control of the promotion and revenue. Simply put, it is a promoters dream. It is no wonder why he is pushing hard to make the fight happen. On the other hand, Pacquiao and Cotto stand to benefit financially from this bout but in terms of their immediate future, it is a dubious situation. With the return of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the self-proclaimed best fighter in the world, attention in the sport will soon shift from the heroics of Pacquiao to the greed, selfishness, and infamy of Mayweather. If he produces an impressive performance against Marquez the boxing world will clamor for him to face a bigger, tougher challenge; a challenge from the likes of Pacquiao and/or Cotto perhaps.

Herein lies the problem, Mayweather, who is renowned for making what he terms smart decisions will face Marquez, an opponent that will allow him to overcome rust, tune his skills, and maybe even look good while doing it. For Floyd, it is precisely the right fight at the right time. Other benefits include a nice payday, reclaiming a respectable position on the mythical pound-for-pound list, and putting himself in position for an often discussed mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao. The question then becomes, why would Pacquiao and Cotto want to fight each other in light of the return of Mayweather? One possible answer is that Pacquiao and Cotto are warriors and warriors look to make the best fights, therefore no need to wait around for Mayweather. Yet after September 19th there will be no need to wait, Mayweather, if successful against Marquez, will look to make a mega-fight in his next bout, the question is with whom. If Pacquiao and Cotto decide to face each other, they may be effectively taking themselves out the picture.

Pacquiao-Cotto, if the match should take place, is expected to be a tough and physically grueling affair. Cotto, in particular, has taken a lot of punishment the past few years from top opponents like Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey, and Shane Mosley. Facing Pacquiao will not only drain him in terms of the 145 lb. weight limit, but is certain to once again test his threshold for pain. Pacquiao, though he has been untouchable against Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and David Diaz, has shown to struggle and take a lot of punishment when faced with fast thinking opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales. Based on their fighting styles, these guys may inflict so much damage to each other that neither will be physically ready or even worse, taken seriously as Mayweather’s next opponent. Whether you are a fan or foe, one thing that many writers and aficionados can agree on is that a fighter must be on their A game and seemingly in the best shape of their life to defeat or even have a chance against Mayweather.

While Mayweather is likely to come out pristine against a great but overmatched opponent in Marquez, Cotto and Pacquiao may end their night as damaged goods. Essentially by accepting this fight, Cotto and Pacquiao are making it easier for Mayweather to defeat them if they indeed go on to face him in the future. Though Top Rank would scoff at the idea of Pacquiao-Cotto not happening considering the revenue it would generate, it is my opinion that it may be best to allow them to face different opponents in the Fall; opponents that will make them look good, keep them in the Mayweather PPV picture, and likewise keep the potential for a matchup between themselves alive as well. Though Pacquiao and Cotto are huge draws on their own accord they each would stand to make more money from a PPV with Mayweather. It would also benefit Top Rank to match subsequent fighters from their stable against Floyd. Most of all, fans have clamored to see Mayweather face off against the likes of Pacquiao and Cotto, it can now happen. The only thing preventing it, ironically, is Pacquiao vs. Cotto.

Final Note: My view of Pacquiao-Cotto, though pessimistic, is based on my belief that Pacquiao and Cotto will be a tough and damaging fight for both men. If Pacquiao should lose, his claim as the best pound-for-pound evaporates and therefore leaves a battle for pound-for-pound supremacy against Mayweather in shambles. The fight could go on but will lose its luster. If Cotto should lose, he likely loses his chance to fight Mayweather period. Then of course a scenario where one man dominates, such as Pacquiao’s most recent performance over Ricky Hatton, is also possible, yet unlikely. Though it appears the tone of this piece favors Mayweather, I simply recognize that Mayweather-Pacquiao and Mayweather-Cotto are two of the biggest fight that can be made in the sport. Why Pacquiao-Cotto should serve as a prelude is unprecedented; it truly may be the matchup that kills two birds with one stone. 

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Can Brock Lesnar become the Manny Pacquiao of the UFC?

With a victory this weekend over Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar will become the undisputed Unified Heavyweight Champion of the UFC. But does this mean that Brock Lesnar is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC? In other words, will he be the Manny Pacquiao of the UFC?

Manny Pacquiao is considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world of Boxing. He has a blend of speed and power that most men his size can only dream of. But, the same can be said for Brock Lesnar. At 265-280 pounds Brock has freakish speed and power that most heavyweights fantasize about; and there are even more similarities between these two athletes.

Similarities

• Both men have had success at every level of competition
• Both men have transcended their sports
• Both men have become folk-heroes
• Both men are phenomenal athletes
• Both men have an unequaled amount of natural ability
• Both men are reserved and laid back
• Both men are Sports-Entertainers
• Both men make an absurd amount of money
• Both men are international stars
• Both men have lost early in their professional careers

 

I’m sure there are even more similarities but this list if suffice for now. I’m a huge fan of Brock Lesnar and over the years I have grown to truly appreciate Manny Pacquiao’s skills. But the one thing I love the most about these two athletes are their demeanors. Neither man is an arrogant or obnoxious individual. Both men have a quiet confidence that breeds success and they seek a private solitude when away from the ring or octagon.

Brock’s fighting career is still on the way up. Pacquiao has over 50 professional fights and has been rumored to look at the possibility of retirement. Honestly, with only a few potential fighters left to face, Pacquiao has run out of challenges. Brock could see the same scenario if he were to dominate the UFC heavyweight division for the next few years.

Saturday’s fight between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir could change the landscape of the UFC for years to come. A victory by Brock will solidify him as the sport’s biggest star.  With a continual improvement of his MMA skills, Brock will become the UFC’s pound-for-pound best fighter.

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Blue collar view: Mayweather never fights Pacquiao

We hear from the Millionaire Mouths all the time.

Manny Pacquiao, humble superhero, is a rare exception that he usually doesn’t put his boxing business in the street or all over the Internet.

Sugar Shane Mosley has gotten more voluble lately with his desperate quest to land an opponent, hopefully Jackpot Pacman, before the year is through. Mosley is said to have given up on landing Megamanny and is looking for smaller fish to fry.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. spews more blah, blah, blah than any fighter alive.

More in the Pacman category is his Nov. 14 opponent, Miguel Cotto, who is also the strong, silent type.

Cotto has opinions but you have to ask him to hear them. He is not a guy with verbal diahrrea.

So I thought you might want to hear the off the cuff opinion of a lunch bucket fighter, a solid journeyman who always comes to fight.

He’s proud Dominicano Jerson Ravelo, whose losses to top contenders Allan Green and Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward have dimmed his world title chances. But Ravelo does have a 19-4, 12 KOs record in what undoubtedly is the most talent filled division in boxing, super middleweight.

Ravelo made his comments on Facebook. The Newark, NJ, resident is skeptical that Money May will ever take to the ring against Pacman.

“Boxing is funny because I always said Mosley is the only guy who can beat Manny right now,” Ravelo wrote.

“Mayweather will never fight Pac because Money only fights fighter he thinks he can beat and he is isn’t sure he could beat Pac.

“His getting injuried in sparring puts an even bigger won’t on that fight even getting made.”

Instead of the old “Man On The Street” interviews, consider this One’s Fighter’s Opinion, and it’s one which is just as valid as anyone else’s.

Jerson Ravelo, blue collar fighter, has spoken.

It’s refreshing to hear a fistic voice with absolutely no axe to grind.

I don't agree with Ravelo's opinion but it is as refreshing as a balmy breeze wafting across Vineyard Sound. 

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How Manny Pacquiao rocks Michael Jackson songbook

Now that the casket is about to be put down, and Michael Jackson’s worldly burdens are gone, it can be told.

The Michael Jackson songbook is filled with songs about Manny Pacquiao and people and situations related to the Pinoy Idol.

These two have had so many “Greatest Hits” that it’s hard to pick out a select few.

Let me break it down to specifics.

CHEATER—This goes out to loaded handwraps guy Antonio Margarito.

DIRTY DIANA—Name changed to avoid litigation but obviously a stung Pacman’s view of Dazzling Darlene who beat in the election in General Santos City.

WHO IS IT—The answer is Pacman, the question is who is the Pound For Pound King and the wrong answer is Floyd Mayweather Jr. Packy answered this with his demolitions of De La Hoya and Hatton.

GET ON THE FLOOR—Manny’s admonition to Ricky Hatton.

SHE’S OUT OF MY LIFE—Again, directed at Dazzling Darlene and her political powerhouse family as Manny moves to run for office in Sarangani.

WANT TO BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’—Pacman in overdrive seconds before the opening bell for the Hatton demolition.

GIVE INTO ME—Making Oscar quit like a fool on his stool.

WORKING DAY AND NIGHT—Spartan training regiment as imposed by Coach Freddie Roach.

Oscar De La Hoya. (AP Photo)

BAD—As in Pacquiao was a bad man against Oscar and Hatton.

BLACK OR WHITE—Despite the silly charges from the Nate Campbell Not So 2 Live Crew, Pacquiao fights opponents of all skin colors and send them home black and blue.

JUST GOOD FRIENDS—Gossip mill rumors about Manny and Ara Mina or anyone else. As far as anyone knows, Pacquiao is devoted to lovely Jinkee and their children. The gossip comes with the territory.

ANOTHER PART OF ME—The vast improvement in his ring balance and the sharpening of his defense, both honed day after day at the Wild Card Gym with Professor Roach. But Roach would not be an effective professor if he did not have an apt pupil.

ROCK WITH YOU—What Pacquiao told overwhelmed but always game David Diaz when they fought.

MONEY—Dedicating this one to Uncle Bob Arum and to HBO.

THRILLER—Any Pacquiao bout should be given his aggression.

BEAT IT—What Pacquiao could tell Floyd Mayweather unless his purse demands come somewhere close to reality.

DON’T STOP TIL YOU GET ENOUGH—Also directed at washed out De La Hoya. He got enough and he stopped the fight and went into retirement.

SMOOTH CRIMINAL--Comment poster Bernie Vee and the imitators he has spawned down below in the Fifth Circle of Comment Hell.

I CAN'T HELP IT--Not from Manny this time but from me, what I say when I read yet another stupefying post by Puff Daddy Dumbledore. Did I finally get his name right?

While you ladies and germs are studying the Man In The Mirror, did I miss any MJ hits that are applicable to the life and times of Pacman?

Don't be shy.

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V8: Mosley, Pacquiao, Chambers, Darchinyan, and More!!!

Shane Mosley: Pass on Pacquiao, Perfect For Paul (Williams)

The old adage states that "good guys finish last". Well, recently, Shane Mosley learned that bad boys don't exactly do much better. After winning in what was arguably his best performance to date and realizing that no one seemed to take note, Mosley changed his professional ways by making noise with a few deliberate actions in an effort to coax either Floyd Mayweather jr. or Manny Pacquiao into the ring. With no meaningful response from the P4P leaders of the sport and realizing that he's fresh out of options, Mosley has now decided to take his show on the road and target a few other opponents. The four names mentioned were Clottey, Williams, Cintron, and Berto, according to Goldenboy CEO Richard Schaefer. Trouble is.....Cintron isn't expected to sign for such a fight, Clottey isn't gonna be considered a big enough draw, and Williams is said to be very close to solidifying a deal with Dzindziruk - which leaves Berto. That would sort of make sense for Mosley (considering that Berto owns a strap that Mosley can use for negotiating purposes in the future). Trouble there is that few believe DiBella would entertain such a fight right now. So just when it appeared Mosley had a few options, that window of opportunity has apparently closed yet again. I don't see any of these guys stepping up to the plate, but with Mosley being a GBP fighter, perhaps HBO will step up and throw some money on the table and help Paul Williams realign his focus. Mosley wants it. So do we. Would be nice.

Margarito: Weight Breaks The Wagon For Cotto

Suspended welterweight Antonio Margarito recently chimed in on the pending Miguel Cotto/Manny Pacquiao showdown by suggesting that the weight loss will be too much for Cotto to overcome. He justified this disposition by pointing to Oscar's performance against Pacquiao after having to lose similar weight. The big difference here is that Cotto has youth on his side, while Oscar (in the words of Freddie Roach) had "nothing left in the tank". Margarito's comments hold a hint of accuracy, but it only tells half the truth. Remember, Cotto just recently went a full 12 rounds with a nasty cut against Clottey despite weighing in at only one pound heavier than he'll be required to for Pacquiao (146lbs...as opposed to 145lbs). When you think of it that way, kinda makes you wonder if the weight thing will really make a difference. Is the weigh-in really that important in this fight?.....Kind of....Until you realize that although it was 'weight' that broke the wagon, it was speed that killed the man pulling it! Big difference...and perhaps the one that will ultimately decide the outcome of this fight!

Manny Pacquiao: Just Do It....

We've seen the NBA's Michael Jordan, the N.F.L.'s Payton Manning, Golf's Tiger Woods, and M.L.B.'s Derek Jeter (among others) earn recognition and collect big checks by way of endorsements. For one of the few times in history, (if ever), we see a boxer break the ranks and land a huge cameo in an endorsement promotion. In a commercial ad to run soon, joining Kobe Bryant will be none other than Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao, who is slated to take part in a commercial campaign for Nike within the next coming days. There have been countless amount of boxing stars to make a mainstream splash in recent years, but to land such a monumental spot with the premiere sports brand in the world is an act that few others can parallel in boxing today. Couldn't have happened for a more deserving figure. For a while it seemed like Nike was refusing to show the boxing world some love. After witnessing the talent of our Filipino fighting machine, I'm glad they decided to break their trend and follow their slogan....JUST DO IT!

Manny Pacquiao: The 'Stress' Test

Filipino great, Manny Pacquiao, had to recently seek medical attention for odd pains felt. After further review, it was learned that he had suffered an ulcer, which is one of the first signs of major stress. With the heavy pressure to defeat Hatton behind him, Pacquiao has learned that despite not being in the ring, the hectic schedules away from it still doesn't exactly go away. He's already preparing for a fight camp for Cotto, but he's also in the midst of a ton of other projects, two of which include a commercial ad and a movie. From the outside looking in, it appears that once again, Pacquiao is busier than he probably needs to be leading up to a major fight. It hasn't affected his ring performance in the past, but neither has it ever resulted in an ulcer. If that isn't a sign that ones body is wearing down, I don't know what is. To he who much is given, much is expected, but if Pacquiao doesn't want anything taken away come November (his title straps), perhaps getting more rest is precisely what the doctor ordered. I surely hope for his sake that was the prescription.

Eddie Chambers: A 'Heavy' Weight To Carry

Last Saturday, 'Fast' Eddie Chambers went to Germany and showed a side of him that we haven't exactly been accustomed to seeing lately. That side was a slim, trim, top-contending heavyweight who's loss of approximately 30+ pounds made a world of a difference. After ranging between 230 and the low 240's, Chambers entered the ring weighing 208lbs and his speed, quickness, (and oddly enough), his power as well, were all in top form. Prior to the fight, many thought that he would have major problems against a fighter the size of Dimitrinko, but in pure Holyfield fashion, Chambers proved yet again that a good big man doesn't always defeat good little men. With a shot at Wladimir Klitschko on the line and a new reputation to maintain, the pressure falls squarely on the lap of Chambers to deliver. Question is....Will the smaller, lighter version of Chambers be strong enough to carry such a 'heavy' burden like the one associated with becoming the next great American heavyweight champion? There hasn't been one in a while, and with him standing next in line, the spotlight has shifted squarely on him. Can he deliver?

David Haye: Much To Gain, More To Prove

David Haye has recently resumed training after dealing with his still unconfirmed back issues. He's still scheduled to face Klitschko, but after a little change, it appears that it won't be Wladimir like originally intended. He'll be facing Vitali - (if all goes according to plan) - leaving Wladimir available for a potential Povetkin, Arreola, or Valuev fight. With the emergence of Chambers, it would be nice to actually see a fight between the two of them take place since both men want a crack at the best, yet haven't quite done enough to get there. While some may question Chambers, his resume does contain a few "W"'s against top heavyweight contenders. Haye, on the other hand has only given us his word of mouth, which right now doesn't seem to carry much weight. It's been nearly a year now since he started the chatter about taking the division over, but despite putting that speech in motion, there have been no returns! And with Vitali being the more durable of the two, it's safe to say that Haye may have played musical chairs with the wrong partners. If he defeats Vitali that would be huge, but until he does, he's got a ton to prove!

Steve "USS" Cunningham: Old Veteran, New General

This coming Saturday night, former IBF Cruiserweight champ Steve "USS" Cunningham will have his hands full when he faces Wayne "Big Truck" Braithwaite. Braithwaite is known as a very strong fighter, but if his strengths weren't already nullified enough in facing a solid contender like Cunningham, they certainly will be with the addition of Nasim Richardson in Cunningham's corner. Many know Richardson as the famed trainer who led Hopkins and most recently, Mosley to solid victories; while others may be more familiar with his fight game intellect which led to the suspension of Antonio Margarito due to the foiled hand-wrapping scandal. Either way, it doesn't bode too well for Braithwaite. Should be an interesting fight. I love big trucks, but battle ships ("USS") do a little more damage when commanded by a general like Richardson. Some feel that Cunningham was missing an ingredient or two....Can Richardson help locate those goods?

Victor Darchinyan: Moving Up, Goin' Down?

Darchinyan is widely viewed as underrated and under-appreciated in the sport. Some view his talent to be solid while others have a few more questions. This coming Saturday night, Darchinyan has a chance to answer those critics but some believe he could be in for a long night. Agbeko is the bigger man and Darchinyan is coming up in size, which could have a lot to do with the outcome. Agbeko has been pretty vocal about what he plans to do and in his open workout for the media he looked damn good! This fight could go either way, but am I the only one wondering if Darchinyan may have taken a step in the wrong direction?

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Pacquiao prefers 143 lbs vs Cotto

Before flying to Los Angeles for a one-day photo shoot with Kobe Bryant for a leading sports apparel company, Manny Pacquiao revealed that he will bat for a catch weight of 142-143 lbs for the proposed November 14 match with welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

While admitting that negotiations are running smoothly, Pacquiao said the two parties have yet to agree on the revenue split and the catch weight although the Puerto Rican press has reported that it'll be at 145 lbs.

Cotto currently fights in a weight class that has a limit of 147 lbs, while Pacquiao says he can only add a few pounds north of the super-lightweight limit of 140 lbs.

Against Oscar De La Hoya last December when the limit was 147 lbs, Pacquiao tipped in at 142, and in his last fight against Ricky Hatton at 140, the Filipino scaled in at 138.

“(The fight is) eighty percent (done),” said Pacquiao on Tuesday night as he prepared to board a Philippine Airlines jet.

Cotto once said he can not go lower than 145 lbs but some fine-tuning in the contract might compel the shaven-skulled banger to give in to Pacquiao's call considering that Pacquiao is the main attraction.

While in the US, where he will shoot a Nike ad with Kobe, Pacquiao might take a peek into some documents containing pertinent details about the proposed Cotto fight.

It could take a few more days or even a couple of weeks before a deal is made between Pacquiao and Cotto since Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who heads Top Rank, is still enjoying his European vacation.

Still, everything appears to be in place with Arum already lining up a five-city promotional tour just before Pacquiao reports for training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club in mid-September.

Arum said plans are afoot for visits to San Juan in Puerto Rico, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and even Mexico City “where the people there love Manny and Cotto,” according to Arum.

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