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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Pacquiao to fight Cotto in Las Vegas on Nov. 14


By Greg Beacham
Associated Press

Miguel Cotto is next on Manny Pacquiao's hit list for what's likely to be the biggest fight of the fall.

Pacquiao and Cotto will meet Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said yesterday after finalizing the match between his company's two most prominent boxers. The 145-pound bout will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.

"There's no messing about with either of these guys, and that's what's so exciting," Arum said. "That's why it's an unbelievable fight, with two guys who really love to fight."

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) has won titles in six weight divisions from 112 to 140 pounds, cementing the Filipino national hero's status as the sport's pound-for-pound champion. Pacquiao pummeled Oscar De La Hoya into retirement last December in his first welterweight fight, and he dramatically stopped 140-pound champion Ricky Hatton in the second round in May.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), Puerto Rico, won the WBO welterweight title in February.