Four years ago, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao were the toast of international boxing. You can say that times have changed because after their memorable slugfest where Pacquiao emerged victorious, both pugilists are now in the same boat fighting to keep their boxing careers afloat.
Cotto, 38-4 with 31 knockouts, was demolished by Pacquiao in 12 rounds in November 2009 and his career has since gone topsy-turvy. He moved up to the heavier super welterweight (154 pounds) division and briefly revived his career by beating Mexican Antonio Margarito in December 2011 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) crown. Cotto did not get past his first defense, losing the hardware to Floyd Mayweather Jr. by decision in May 2012. After Cotto was badly beaten by Austin Trout in his next outing in December 2012, astute observers of the fight game started spreading the word “shot” to describe the Puerto Rican star.