Pacquiao defeats Cotto for record title

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Manny Pacquiao defeats defending champion Miguel Cotto for WBO welterweight title
• Miguel Cotto had one-pound weight advantage over Pacquiao for big fight in Las Vegas
• Cotto was defending WBO Welterweight title against Filipino hero Pacquiao

(CNN) -- Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao defeated defending champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday in the 12th round to claim the WBO welterweight title.

The victory extended Pacquiao's record number of weight division titles to seven, according to news services.

Cotto took a one-pound advantage over Filipino Pacquiao into the superfight in Las Vegas.

Puerto Rico's Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds in front a 5,000 strong crowd at the MGM Grand Arena, with Pacquiao tipping the scales at 144 pounds. He looked relaxed and smiled as he stripped to his boxer shorts, while Cotto looked more intense.

The fight began well for Cotto, the UK's Press Association reported, as he delivered several powerful jabs, despite Pacquiao's speed.

But Cotto found himself on the canvas in the second round after Pacquiao struck him with a flash knockdown

Pacquaio followed this in the fourth round with a right-hook left-hook combo. After this there was an almost seeming inevitability to the result, although Cotto managed to stay the course.

After the fight Pacquiao said in comments reported by PA: "I heard that he was bigger than me and stronger than me and that's why I tried to be more aggressive and fight toe to toe and try to (negate) his power.

"Our strategy for the fight was not to hurry, take our time, because we knew his strategy was that he was going to counter," Pacquiao told the agency. "We were very careful in the early rounds then I controlled the fight and tried to put him under pressure."

"We tried our best to knock him out because that's what my trainer said. I thought they were going to stop the fight in the 11th round and I was surprised he made it to the 12th round."

Saturday's match was Pacquiao's first fight since a stunning knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton sixth months ago at the same venue.

Pacquiao, who has won 49 fights, lost three and drawn two, is being lined up for a money spinning fight with American Floyd Mayweather, but first must get past the determined Cotto, who has held a world title every year since 2004.

Pacquiao was rated as favorite by Las Vegas oddsmakers, but Cotto had just one defeat in 35 fights with 27 knockouts going into the Saturday bout.

Commentary: Now to those who still doubt Manny Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines, what is your excuse now?


Source: Pacquiao defeats Cotto for record title

To read more about boxing news, boxing scene, boxing tickets, boxing scores, and boxing posters fights surrounding Manny Pacman Pacquiao, and his archrivals like Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, click HERE. To know about boxing schedule of upcoming boxing, boxing matches in the sports boxing, click HERE. To know more about Pacquiao vs. Cotto boxing fight, click HERE. For more update of the possible Pacquaio vs. Mayweather boxing fight click HERE. To get exclusive news coverage of Manny Pacquaio fights and boxing, click HERE.