"We Want Floyd!"

LAS VEGAS - Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao moved one step closer to a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. by beating Miguel Cotto in a WBO Welterweight title fight today at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miguel Cotto started out strong, but Pacquiao quickly settled into his rhythm and knocked down Cotto in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Pacquiao's speed was just way too much for Cotto to handle. Mercifully, Referee Kenny Bayless put an end to the one-sided affair 55 seconds into the 12th round, earning Pacquiao his 50th victory in his long illustrious career which began in the Featherweight division and ended with his 7th title in 7 weight classes.

After the referee called the fight, the crowd began to chant "We want Floyd"...referring to Floyd Mayweather Jr. And, during the post-fight interview, Pacman's trainer - Freddie Roach - when asked who Pacman should fight next, said “I want to see him fight Mayweather.” Floyd Mayweather Jr is the only other fighter capable of claiming the "pound-for-pound" title, but in order to be truly considered the world pound-for-pound champion by the boxing world, he will have to fight Pacquiao sooner rather than later.

Two scenarios exist for Pacquiao...either he fights the winner of the "Sugar" Shane Mosley vs Andre Berto fight on January 30th (more about that fight later), the winner then fighting Mayweather, or he fights Mayweather as his next fight. Personally, as entertaining as a fight with Mosley could be, I - like the rest of the world - would prefer to see Pacquiao fight Mayweather straight out. The problem is that if history is any indication Mayweather will do everything in his power to make a fight with Pacman difficult, not because he's afraid of Pacman, but because he'll demand equal or more money. I honestly hope I'm wrong, because a decisive victory over Pacquiao will solidify Mayweather's status as pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world, while at the same time a Pacquiao victory will do the same for him.

This is the fight the fans want; this is the fight Freddie Roach (and, Pacquiao) want; and this is the fight the boxing world wants and needs. Hey Floyd, check your ego at the door, and put your fist where your mouth is, because as the fans said..."We want Floyd!"

But until then, Congratulations Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, the WBO Welterweight and Undisputed Pound-for-Pound Champion of the World!

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