11/13/2009

in

Manny Pacquiao weighed in at a career-high 144 pounds while Miguel Cotto weighed in at 145 pounds, his lightest weight in over two years.

TheCelebrityCafe.com Staff

The Associated Press is reporting that welterweight boxers Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto both made the required weight limit of 145 pounds at tonight's weigh-ins, which were held at Las Vegas's MGM Grand. Since both boxers made weight, Cotto's WBO Welterweight Championship of the World will officially be at stake on Saturday night when two of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters square off in Las Vegas.  
  
While the welterweight division's standard weight limit is 147 pounds, the terms of the fight contract required Cotto to weigh-in at a maximum weight of 145 pounds in order to collect his entire purse and ensure that the bout would be a title fight. According to The Associated Press, a crowd of 7,000 spectators were in attendance for tonight's weigh-ins.  
  
Pacquiao will be fighting at 144 pounds for the first time in his illustrious boxing career, which spans for 54 bouts. The highest weight that Pacquiao has ever fought at prior to tomorrow night's scheduled matchup was 142 pounds for his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in December of 2008. The Filipino boxer has held world titles in the 112, 122, 130 and 135 pound weight classes and he attempts to become a world champion in his fifth different weight class tomorrow night.  
  
Cotto is much more accustomed to competing in the welterweight division and he is expected to provide Pacquiao with the greatest challenge he has faced since moving up past the 135 pound weight class. His professional record features a noticeably impressive stoppage ratio since 27 of his 34 career victories have come by TKO or knockout. Cotto's only career loss is viewed by many as tainted as a result of Antonio Margarito's well-documented run-in with loaded gloves prior to his devastating loss to Shane Mosley.