Watching Manny Pacquiao systematically take apart Miguel Cotto Saturday night was fascinating. I know Manny is the better fighter and was heavily favored, but just turn back the clock a year and remember how the “small” and “outgunned” Pacman, according to the “experts,” had no chance to win against Oscar De La Hoya….

Remember, Manny had just one fight at 135 lbs and was now moving all the way to 147 to challenge Oscar; who was expected to swat Pacquiao like a fly. The Golden Boy was heavily favored and I licked my chops at the prospect of loading up on Manny….

I picked Pacman to dominate the fight and win by knockout, for two reasons:

1) I was at the Home Depot Center for Oscar’s last fight, a struggle against journeyman Steve Forbes. Not only did the small, light-hitting Forbes hang in there with Oscar, he busted him up; bruising the Golden Boy’s face. Forbes lost the decision, but I knew Oscar was shot and would get destroyed by the next quality opponent he faced.

2) Yes, Manny was smaller than Oscar, but his move up in weight would take a lot less out of him than De La Hoya having to come down. Pacman was quicker, stronger, younger, in better shape and been fighting regularly. Oscar, on the other hand, was old, slow and a shadow of his former self. He also hadn’t been fighting and I knew from the Forbes fight he’d be an easy target. I went on the air, picked Pacquiao to win by a 10th round K.O. and begged my listeners to load up and make some money.

Manny then proceeded to knock Oscar out in the 8th round, after dispensing one of the worst beatings I’ve ever seen. De La Hoya was completely outclassed from the opening bell and a punching bag the rest of the fight….

One thing which impressed me about the Golden Boy that night was his willingness to absorb a savage beating and his ability to take a punch. Sure, his corner made him quit on his stool after Round Eight, but it was the proper and humane call. There was no reason to take further punishment and people who criticized De La Hoya were wrong….

I also believe Pacquiao would have beaten Oscar when both were in their primes. Certainly it would have been much more difficult to deal with a young De La Hoya, but Pacquiao is simply a better fighter. Even at Welterweight, Pacman hit harder, threw better combinations, possessed better hand speed and was much more disciplined in his training and personal life….

So it was no suprise that Pacquiao stopped Cotto Saturfay night….

But can you imagine people’s reaction had this fight been signed before Pacman fought Oscar? People wouldn’t have given Manny a chance and been criticizing Freddie Roach for accepting a fight with the much bigger Cotto….

Just a year later, Manny goes into the ring heavily favored and procees to destroy Miguel….

For the first four rounds, this was a great fight, with neither fighter giving an inch and both landing hard shots. Bert Sugar called the early rounds “another Hearns-Hagler” and he wasn’t too far off….

But from that point on, it was all Pacman. After giving Cotto a terrible beating in Round 9, Miguel’s corner wanted to stop the fight, but the strong-willed and courageous Puerto Rican would have none of it and walked out to take a further ass whipping….

By Round 12, Cotto was defenseless and referee Kenny Bayless mercifully stopped the fight….

All that’s left now, of course, is to match Pacquiao with Floyd Mayweather, who’s 40-0 and a great fighter. In my opinion, this fight will break the all-time PPV record and help bring boxing back to its rightful place as a major sport….

If you give fans the fights they want, boxing is healthy again….

So who wins Pacman-Pretty Boy? I know Floyd isn’t getting any younger and doesn’t fight enough, but I like Mayweather by unanimous decision. He has better boxing skill than Manny, is probably quicker and will dance circles around him all night….

Remember, Pacquiao has never faced a great, black fighter and will be in for a shock when he faces Floyd. Everyone Pacman has fought has come straight at him and been easy targets. Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto are all slower than Manny and there to be hit….

Yes, Manny is very fast, but in there with those guys he’s going to look much quicker. Let’s see how he deals with a guy like Mayweather, who has incredible reflexes, hand speed and boxing skill….

Is Manny as fast as Floyd? No. Does he possess Mayweather’s boxing skill? No. Will he be able to walk through the Pretty Boy, impose his will and stop him? Maybe, but I don’t think so….

I think Floyd will move around the ring, pop Manny with combinations, move away and frustrate the hell out of him. Remember, Marquez outboxed Pacquiao over 24 rounds and many people thought Juan Manuel won both fights. So if Marquez can outbox Manny, what’s Mayweather going to do to him?….

I know I sound like a hater when I question boxing “experts” falling all over themselves praising Manny for his winning a “record” seven world championships in different weight classes, but we have to put it in perspective….

Sure, winning titles from Flyweight to Welterweight is remarkable and unprecedented. And getting stronger with each move up in weight is something unheard of. Nobody is questioning Pacquiao’s greatness, but in this era of multiple weight classes and sanctioing bodies it needs to be examined closely….

In reality, Manny could have titles in nine weight clesses, because he went straight from Flyweight to Super Bantamweight. Had he stopped at Super Flyweight and Bantamweight along the way, he would have easily picked up rwo more belts….

Without a doubt, what Henry Armstrong did was more impressive; holding the undisputed Featherweight, Lightweght and Welterweight world titles simultaneously. Since there were only eight weight classes back then, he held nearly 40% of the championship belts at the same time….

While holding all three belts, Armstrong came to Los Angeles to challenge Ceferino Garcia for the Middlewright Championship. Evidently the fix was in, as it was arranged the referee would be the only one scoring the fight. I have the tape of this match, which was sent to me by the two grandsons of Henry Armstrong….

Henry dominated the fight and won easily, but allegedly was told he needed to knock out Garcia to win. After the final bell, the referee walked over to Garcia, raised his hand and rushed out of the ring. It was absurd and Armstrong was robbed of the Middleweight Championship. Had the fight been honest, Henry would have won and held 50% of all the title belts….

Manny, on the other hand, has never been an undisputed champion in any weight class and three of his titles titles are in “Super” or “Junior” divisions, which shouldn’t exist and don’t count….

So while giving all credit to Manny for his great career, his titles in seven weight classes don’t compare to the old timers….

But he is the modern day Henry Armstrong, which is the highest compliment you can get….

Finally, as much interest as there will be in Pacquiao-Mayweather, neither is the best fighter in the Welterweight division. Paul Williams, the 6’2″ southpaw freak of nature, would beat either one of them and is the true champion. In a perfect and just world, the Punisher would be the one fighting Pacquiao or Mayweather; or at least be guaranteed to fight the winner….

But he’s not going to get either fight, for two reasons: 1) He’s too good amd 2) Nobody’s ever heard of him and it wouldn’t sell nearly as well as Pacman-Pretty Boy….

Unfortunately, Williams is going to be avoided like he has the swine flu….