Henry Buchanan

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Live Blogging: Cotto vs Judah

By John Chandler on Jun 09, 2007 at 11:45 PM

Starting a little late here but I guess it’s better than nothing at all.

Before I begin let me point out that the Pacquiao in the title isn’t Manny; it’s his brother Bobby. However his fight against Humberto Soto is slated to be extremely entertaining. Yuri Foreman just squeaked out a split decison win over Anthony Thompson a few moments ago. Let’s get started…

Bobby Pacquiao vs Humberto Soto

Pacquiao walks to the ring with Survivor - Eye of the Tiger playing in the background. The music switches to some hip hop once he gets to the ring. Soto walks to the ring to the sound of traditional Spanish music.

Round 1: The round begins with both fighters trying to find their range. Both are throwing left and right combinations. Soto gets Pacquiao up against the ropes and lands a huge body shot. Both going at a quick pace. Soto seems to be the more aggressive fighter. Soto is also landing better. Soto knocks Pacquiao down with a left hook behind the ear but Pacquiao gets back up to his feet, being subject to a six count.

KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Soto

Round 2: Pacquiao is the more aggressive fighter to start the round. Soto continues to be able to back Pacquiao up against the ropes with flurries. Both are going toe-to-toe with a mix of shots to the head and body. Pacquiao stuns Soto with a right cross against the ropes but Soto has already done enough to win the round.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto

Round 3: Slow start to the round. Pacquiao is more defensive this round. Soto is missing with shots from the outside. Soto is warned for punching to the back of the head. Pacquiao is taking control until Soto starts to connect with unanswered shots. Pacquiao is nearly out on his feet to end the round.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto

Round 4: Soto is taking it to Pacquiao once again to start the round. Pacquiao has blood coming from his right eye. The referee stops the fight to have the doctor check Pacquiao’s cut. The fight is permitted to continue and Soto continues to connect with body shots. Pacquiao lands a right hook that buckles Soto’s knees. Pacquiao continues to connect with the right hand inside.

KO Corner scores it 10-9 for Pacquiao

Round 5: Both are throwing but not landing anything of note to start the round. Soto continues to find success going against Pacquiao’s body, especially the left side. Soto receives another warning for a punch to the back of the head. Blood streams down Pacquiao’s face. The round slowly creeps to an end with the fighters each jabbing away at each other.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto

Round 6: Soto is countering Pacquiao with left-right combinations. Soto is picking Pacquiao apart. Pacquiao’s face is covered in blood and the commentators can’t help but make “The Crimson Mask” reference. The two throw wild punches to end the round.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Soto

Round 7: Lampley and Steward let the audience know that they have Pacquiao’s blood all over their clothes and papers. Pacquiao warned for pushing down on Soto’s head. Soto connects with a big right straight and then knocks Pacquiao down with a body shot. Pacquaio doesn’t get back up.

Winner: Humberto Soto - KO

Grover Wiley vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Wiley enters the ring to some Spanish techno music; Chavez Jr to again some traditional Spanish music. Maybe there is some kind of theme tonight that I don’t know about.

The story behind this fight: Wiley knocked out Chavez’s father. Chavez wants revenge.

Round 1: Chavez is throwing and landing more to start the fight. Wiley is trying to get the fight in close and land power shots. Wiley seems to be taking control towards the end of the round. Chavez lands a left hook to the body that hurts Wiley. Chavez lands another and Wiley goes down to his knees. Wiley gets up after an 8 count.

KO Corner scores the round 10-8 for Chavez

Round 2: Chavez continues to go to Wiley’s body with success. Chavez stays on the outside, letting Wiley inside every once in a while only to counter with a left hook to the body. Wiley backs Chavez up against the ropes and lets a nice flurry go before the end of the round.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Chavez

Round 3: Chavez constantly using his jab to start the round. Both are landing solid combos. Chavez connects with another shot to the left side of Wiley’s body. Wiley covers up and Chavez knocks him down with another. Wiley gets back up and takes yet another left hook to the body which knocks him down for good.

Winner: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr - KO

Miguel Cotto vs Zab Judah

I’m thinking that Cotto is going to come out of this fight victorious. I think that Judah may take the lead in the early rounds with his speed but eventually Cotto’s power and the wear and tear Judah’s ribs will take provided Cotto chooses to go to his patented left hook to the body throughout the fight will make the difference in this bout.

The backstage camera shows Zab Judah and his camp wearing Affliction, the new line of sports wear made popular by fighters in the UFC. Sorry, that’s the MMA on Tap in me…

Judah comes out to a nice little custom DJ entrance and a good ovation. However Judah’s walk to the ring is marred by Cotto chants along the way. Cotto walks to the ring with what kind of music playing? Traditional Spanish music, of course…

The judges for this bout are Nelson Vazquez, Tom Schreck, and John McKaie. The referee will be Arthur Mercanti.

Round 1: Cotto is aggressive from the start. Judah’s shots mostly miss during the middle of the round. Judah catches Cotto with a big uppercut. Judah continues to hammer away at Cotto along the ropes. Cotto knocks Judah down with a low blow and Cotto receives a warning from Mercanti. Judah uses his speed to dodge Cotto’s punches and throw his jab for the rest of the round.

KO Corner scores the round 10-9 for Judah

Round 2: Each landing shots to start the round. Judah is staying on the outside while Cotto is trying to work his way in. Cotto connects with two hard body shots to Judah and backs him up. Judah counters with a straight right that stuns Cotto for a moment.