November 15, 2009—The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is nearly full to the brim with people occupying all 17,157 seats to witness boxing history in the making with Filipino pride Manny Pacquiao (49 won [with 37 by knockout]-3 lost-2 draws) attempting to take away Puerto Rican fighter Miguel Angel Cotto's (34 won [with 27 knockouts]-1 lost-0 draws) World Boxing Organization Welterweight title.

And took it away he did with systematic and timed punches, while with his speed easily dodging the more powerful yet slower opponent, before bringing in the final punishment in the 12th round with his signature left stinger that made the Puerto Rican unable to continue fighting for his title.

Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the bout in the 12th round when he noticed that Cotto was no longer fighting.

This fight means everything to Manny as it serves as the start of a new record no Asian boxer has ever achieved until now—winning seven world titles in seven different weight divisions (Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight and Welterweight).

Such a feat has been attained at no small price and to capture this new glory meant that Manny had to go out of his comfort zone and pay for it literally in blood, sweat, and tears.

BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT. The fight, dubbed "Firepower," is still minutes away but the two fighters look pumped and ready to unleash hell on each other. After the introductions and the loud cheers from the whole MGM Grand, the game is finally on.

Cotto initiates by giving Manny a jab and the two give each other jabs but to no effect. Defenses up, the two size each other up for a moment before Manny gives a combination of punches. Cotto evades but Manny once again unleashes a flurry of punches, connecting Cotto in the body. Elbows clash but referee Kenny Bayless separates the two fighters.

Cotto goes for Manny's body but is unsuccessful.  Manny strikes back with a hard left but Cotto skillfully evades as well. The round ends.

The second round starts with a jab by Manny but Cotto evades. Weaving left and right, Cotto locks on to Manny with a straight right, but fails. Manny keeps his distance but goes for a straight left to Cotto's side. The two exchange combinations and the crowd goes wild!

Manny gets a solid left from Cotto but he backs up and recovers. The aggressive Cotto continues to give Manny a combination of two in the body and one in the head. Manny seems to slow down a little but quickly surprises Cotto with speed punches and connects.

Third round commences with Manny jabbing Cotto with his right. Manny combines with a right hook to the left side of Cotto's face,  which makes the Puerto Rican kneel. Cotto retaliates with jabs and combinations to Manny's body but Manny doesn't look affected. A quick head butt by Cotto doesn't slow down Manny either. Manny goes hard for Cotto by giving him an uppercut to the chest and Cotto slams back by unleashing a left hook to Manny that barely misses.

The fourth round sees Cotto's defenses up and Manny gives two rights with no success. Manny then gives Cotto a body beating and the Puerto Rican retaliates. Manny rains down hard with combinations and Cotto fights back and pushes Manny to the ropes of the ring. Manny breaks away with a right and after a skillful evasion, gives a two-punch combination and gives a left uppercut to Cotto, bringing him to a daze. Before Manny can get into momentum, however, the bell sounds, saving Cotto.

The fifth round starts with Manny giving sharp lefts but Cotto evades. Manny then switches to the defensive then quickly punches Cotto who's beginning to look like he doesn't know what to defend with—body or head?

Cotto continues to slam Manny with body punches but Manny is unaffected. Manny gives a right jab after a failed combination from Cotto. Manny gets a punch from Cotto while cornered on the ropes but shrugs it off. The two exchange jabs and Manny gives a three-punch combination and the two exchange jabs until the round ends.

At the start of the sixth round, Manny is now dictating the show and gives an uppercut to Cotto. Double jabs from Cotto do nothing to Manny. Weaving, Manny evades more punches from Cotto and he retaliates with a right cross to Cotto's face. Right now Cotto is fighting left-handed but poorly executes against Manny's defenses. A one-two-three combination from Manny connects and Cotto's left cheek is bleeding. His right eye is now bleeding as well, courtesy of Manny.