Shulman Says "Get into Boxing!"

Miguel Angel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao

I love going to the fights. I've actually become a bit of a devotee. Granted, I'm not exactly the type of fella that one looks at and thinks "Well, you know he's a fan of pugilism!" But, as it turns out, I am!

You know the fight's a big deal when people are selling original oil paintings for thousands in the lobby of the MGM Grand (14 Nov 09)

Recently, I had the good fortune to attend the Pacquiao vs. Cotto "Firepower" showdown at MGM Grand Garden Arena. I have a rule: I route for the fighter of whom I'm a guest. Since I don't bet, this tends to work out to my advantage. As a matter of fact - to this date the Top Rank fighter has always won at any match to which I've been present.

This time, things were a little different, though - since both of the fighters in the main event were Top Rank fighters - and good ones, to boot! But first, let's look at the undercard.

DJ Justin Hoffman's view from the DJ booth at MGM Grand Garden Arena (14 Nov 09)

I observed the following two bouts from the aerie of the DJ Booth where I observed DJ Justin Hoffman throw-down some mad beats behind the ones-and-twos. The view was terrific, and it was fun to hang-out with some good buddies (DJ Mighty Mi was there in an official capacity as Justin's DJ Assistant).

Yuri Foreman

Going 12 rounds for the WBA Super Welterweight Title were Yuri Foreman of Brooklyn, NY (originally from Haifa, Israel) and Daniel Santos of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight went to the very end, but my Jewish homeboy won, staying undefeated with a record of 28-0!

Julio Cesar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

Next was Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. versus Troy Roland. In this fight, I routed not based on religion, but based on something far more important - cuteness! Ergo, Julio was a shoe-in to win. And he did, bringing his record to an amazing 41-0-1. Muy Caliente!

The Main Event was really something special, and it was of particular interest to me that these are the fighters that everyone wants to watch, these days. Not the heavyweights and super heavyweights of the past 50 years, but these guys who are 5'6" who are pound-for-pound the best fighters on the planet. They're the gladiators of today, and boy can they pack the house!

Bob Arum and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao at MGM Grand

Again, I'm a firm believer in the whole "Dance with the one who brung ya" code of living, but in the case of Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, I was torn - but routed for Manny since I've attended more of his fights. The fight was one of the most intense I've seen, with Pacquiao winning the WBO Welterweight Title (his seventh in as many weight classes – a world record) 55sec into the final round. According to legendary fight promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, “Pacquiao is the greatest boxer and I’ve seen them all!”