Manny Pacquino made boxing history

Manny Pacquino made boxing history defeating Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto. He is the first boxer to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions.

The fight was called in the final round according to the Los Angeles Times:

Pacquiao had won with yet another epic performance. The pride of the Philippines has now become the pride of all boxing. The Puerto Rican Cotto, one tough customer, was reduced to spending the last four or five rounds simply running, surviving, maybe hoping for enough energy for one lucky shot.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hailed his victory:

“May this serve as inspiration to the entire Filipino nation, especially the youth, that there is no limit to our capacity for success for as long as we work hard, impose stringent self-discipline, persevere, and above all, place (ourselves) in the hands of God."

The Philippine Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio was opened to 11,000 fans who came to watch the fight. A covered Tondo basketball court was the venue for 5,000 people who crowded in to watch the fight on a wide-screen. Asia One reports:

Even petty criminals took the day off, officials said, and soldiers fighting militants in the south silenced their guns for the bout.

Pacquiao, 30, took the World Boxing Organisation welterweight title by stopping Cotto 55 seconds into the 12th round, becoming the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven weight classes.

A shirtless man ran around the streets outside the Tondo gymnasium waving a Philippine flag, and while liquor was banned inside, others outside drank local gin as they listened to a live feed of the bout.

Jeeps and cars honked their horns, while the city government distributed bowls of hot porridge to a throng of men and women elbowing each other for space shortly after the fight was stopped.

The fight took place at the MGM in Las Vegas. Filipina singer, Ramiele Malubay a former American Idol contestant, sang the national anthem before the fight.
I have to confess, I am not a fan of boxing, but I can relate to the national pride that the Filipinos have for this amazing sports figure. Boxing fans can check out the round-by round coverage.