History beckons for Pacquiao

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Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden, Manny Pacquiao, some 40 pounds heavier than when he made his pro debut 14 years ago, tries to add to his impressive resume when he faces veteran welterweight Miguel Cotto, right, seen watching one of tonight’s undercard fights.

Slide show from Friday’s weigh-in

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When Manny Pacquiao first stepped inside a ring as a professional boxer, he weighed 106 pounds.

That was in 1995. Back then, the notion that he someday would fight comfortably as a welterweight seemed about as likely as Pacquiao one day gracing the cover of Time Magazine.

"No," Pacquiao said, shaking his head. "I never believed this would happen to me. It’s all from God."

Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden, Pacquiao, some 40 pounds heavier than when he fought Enting Ignacio in his pro debut 14 years ago, tries to add to his impressive resume when he faces veteran welterweight Miguel Cotto. With a victory over Cotto, the reigning WBO champion, Pacquiao would become the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven weight classes.

"This fight is about history," Pacquiao said. "It’s exciting to think I can be the first person to win seven world titles in seven different divisions."

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) has grown in more than physical stature. Not only is he an iconic figure in his native Philippines, but Pacquiao’s likable persona gives him crossover appeal with Anglos as well as Latinos. It has opened marketing opportunities for him that he never could have imagined when he started out and made him richer than he ever dared dream.

He is considered boxing’s pound-for-pound champion. His last two fights have been dominant performances. He made Oscar De La Hoya quit on his stool in an eighth-round technical knockout on Dec. 6. In his most recent fight, Pacquiao delivered one of the greatest one-punch knockouts in recent years when he flattened Ricky Hatton in the second round on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) offers a different challenge than De La Hoya or Hatton — at least on paper. He is bigger and stronger, a hard puncher with a devastating left hook. And even though Pacquiao remains a 3-1 betting favorite, he expects the fight to be closer than the odds indicate.

"He is a champion," Pacquiao said. "He is big and strong. … But I had very good sparring in my camp, and I am ready."

The welterweight title fight has a contractual limit of 145 pounds. Both fighters made weight Friday in front of 6,000 fans, some of whom started lining up as early as 5:30 a.m. outside the Grand Garden. Pacquiao came in at 144 pounds, Cotto at 145.

Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said Pacquiao’s purse is $7.5 million, with Cotto receiving $4 million. However, according to Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, when the pay-per-view, closed-circuit and other revenue streams are factored in, Pacquiao stands to make at least $13 million and Cotto a minimum of $6 million.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao’s journey to the top has been nothing short of amazing. He has moved steadily up the scale while not losing his speed and quickness in the process. The more he weighs, the better he seems to get.

"I watch tapes of when I fought at 106," he said. "I look like a kid. Back then, it was always a struggle for me to make weight. I was at 112, and it was hard. That’s when I started to move up."

Pacquiao’s challenge tonight is to stay off the ropes and not get into a slugfest.

"If Manny follows the game plan … it should be an easy night for him," said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime trainer. "I think Cotto has lost something since he got beat by (Antonio) Margarito."

Cotto was dominating Margarito early in their fight at the MGM Grand on July 26, 2008. But when he couldn’t put Margarito away, Cotto found himself overwhelmed and on the short end of an 11th-round TKO.

Cotto’s most recent fight was a 12-round battle with Joshua Clottey on June 13. Cotto was badly cut in the third round, and the cut worsened in the seventh. But he hung in to earn a split decision.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.