Quijano: Can Davis derail Evans?

Saturday, January 28, 2012

I DON’T for a moment blame Miguel Cotto for his reluctance to duke it out once again with Manny Pacquiao.

The last time they fought he was doing relatively well when Manny took over the fight from the third round and proceeded to systematically break down the Puerto Rican champion.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

After the fight, his face was bloodied and swollen, like he had been in there with Freddie Kruger. This was the second bloody beating he suffered, the first one being at the padded hands of the erring AntonioMargarito.

Often times when we get ahead of ourselves, we are prone to over-committing. In promoter Bob Arum’s case, he was already floating Cotto’s name as a potential opponent for Manny in May, apparently sans any prior feedback from the surly Cotto.

This week, Cotto was quoted as saying he didn’t want to sacrifice his body to fight Pacquiao at 147 lbs.

RELUCTANT. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Cotto has lost the snarl that once defined him as a fighter.

Not that I’m complaining, though. Cotto-Pacquiao 2 fight would probably end with the same result. Or it will take Manny a lesser number of rounds to finish the job.

But I’m quite skeptical of Cotto’s reluctance.

When Oscar dela Hoya was the cash cow that drove the sport, everybody made a beeline for the opportunity to fight him for a megabuck payday-damned be the consequences to their bodies.

At that time, Oscar was a welterweight, but fighters from the lightweight division all way to light heavyweight wanted to get on the gravy train.

Today, Manny is the top draw and there are a lot of junior middleweights who would cut off an arm just to make a catch weight and laugh all the way to the bank. Hell, I’d be happy to let Manny beat me up for $5 million.

Of course, maybe Cotto has his reasons to value his health more at this stage of his career.

But then again, what’s the point in having a career when you turn down the opportunity to fight (again) the best pound for pound fighter on the planet, exact revenge and earn gazillions?

After all, isn’t it what the fight game is all about?

UFC. Today, the limelight shines on undefeated Phil Davis as he attempts to derail Rashad Evans’ expected challenge of Jon “Bones” Jones.

This fight has been rescheduled on numerous occasions due to injuries, but today, “Mr Wonderful” is apparently in perfect condition to pull off an upset. He has a record of nine wins, with two by KO, three by submission and the rest by decision.

His strong base is wrestling, and expect him to try to neutralize Evan’s superior striking game by taking him to the ground. I see a good competitive first round, but by the second, Evans will find a home for his strikes and earn a win via stoppage.

The co-main event was supposed to feature Mark Muñoz against Chael Sonnen, but an elbow injury cost Munoz the fight.

Eager to step in is Michael Bisping, who is also ripe for a title shot.

I think the loquacious Brit is an even match-up for Sonnen as he has the skill set, the strength and the conditioning to keep up with the frenetic pace Sonnen is known to dictate.

I see a very competitive first round, with Bisping landing several leg kicks and Sonnen scoring with jabs and hooks. If the fight goes to the second round, Sonnen will attempt to take Bisping down to the ground and this is his best chance to win this fight.

However, Bisping will hold his own and the fight will be very difficult to score. I think the judges will favor the busier Sonnen and award him a close but unanimous decision.

LAST ROUND. It’s on Sim Maglangit and Ann Quiban who recently exchanged I do’s. Cheers!

(jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)