Pacquiao awaits bell for Mayweather fight

The money will be more than enough. The challenge could be like one he has never accepted.

Manny Pacquiao has certainly done his part.

The bloody mess that is once again Miguel Cotto’s face is clear proof.

"It is my job to fight in the ring," Pacquiao said. "It is up to the promoters to make the fights."

It has to be made because it makes too much sense, because what it could mean to boxing as the sport continues to compete for interest and pay-per-view buyers alongside those who have converted to mixed martial arts.

Boxing is in better health than most surmise, but Mayweather-Pacquiao could put years on the ol’ ticker.

It came to this Saturday night: At times, long after the outcome was decided and everyone with eyes inside the MGM Grand Garden and those watching from home knew what ultimately would happen, Pacquiao appeared to give Cotto pause.

It came to this: Late in what was a one-sided scorecard for Pacquiao, the Filipino machine acted as if he felt bad about hitting Cotto yet again. One of the most remarkable boxers in history would halt briefly, as if to give his opponent time to gather himself. But ulitimately, he knew what had to be done and went for the knockout several times in the last few rounds.

A fight that ended with a 12th-round TKO could have and should have been stopped three rounds earlier.

What is the point of allowing such a beating to continue?

What does it prove other than to risk irreparable damage?

"It was my decision to keep fighting," Cotto said. "I wanted to continue."

What can you say? The toughest guys aren’t always the smartest.

"(Pacquiao) is the best fighter," Cotto said, "I have ever fought."

And sometimes they are.

Pacquiao is a different cat, all right. He walks into what most thought his toughest fight yet like he’s strolling down a boardwalk, all smiles and waves. You half expect the guy to enter a ring licking a vanilla cone with sprinkles.

But then a bell rings and a few rounds pass and the speed begins to appear. That amazing speed.

You don’t have to dress up a historic achievement like becoming the only prize fighter to win seven world titles in seven weight divisions, Pacquiao having taken from Cotto the WBO welterweight belt here Saturday to claim No. 7.

You don’t have to overstate the implausible feat of beginning a professional career at 106 pounds, winning your first title at 112 and now having beaten a champion like Cotto silly at a catch-weight at 145 pounds.

It came to this: Pacquiao still could have won had the fight been at 147. I’m not even sure he would have known, what with all the smiles and waves.

"This is my last weight division," Pacquiao said. "It was a hard fight tonight. I needed time to test his power. I practiced for a disciplined fight and not panicking. That was the key. (Cotto) is a very strong fighter."

Which makes the beating he took all the more impressive from a Pacquiao perspective.

It was close for a round or two. Cotto opened with jabs that kept Pacquiao’s speed from bothering him. But you can only keep a cheetah calm for so long. When it wants to run, forget about it.

It was more imposing than the defeat of Oscar De La Hoya 11 months ago, because Pacquiao that night hammered a washed-up champion who had nothing. It wasn’t as dramatic as the one-punch leveling of Ricky Hatton, but the damage was far more noticeable over nearly 12 rounds Saturday.

Cotto in July of 2008 left the MGM Grand after being beaten soundly by the likely plaster-filled gloves of Antonio Margarito and was transported to a local hospital.

There was no plaster this time, but his post-fight journey again took Cotto to a trauma center for multiple scans.

"Manny stayed on the ropes much too long early in the fight," said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. "But the speed was too much. The movement was too much. It should have been stopped sooner."

Some in his corner, including his father, wanted to. But the Puerto Rican fighter pressed on until referee Kenny Bayless stepped in and saved him from losing even more blood.

Manny Pacquiao is a wonder.

It is in Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s corner now.

It is up to him.

Money won’t be an issue. There will be truckloads for all parties involved.

Boxing wants it. Needs it.

Can you imagine what a night it could be?

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He also can be heard weeknights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on "The Sports Scribes" on KDWN-AM (720) and www.kdwn.com.