Greatness should be defined by doing what noone else thought possible. Mayweather has been expected to win every match he won. Manny has gone so far beyond what was expected.
You're right, among all the opponents he has fought in the past five years, I only expected Manny to prevail over Diaz and lose to everyone else. If I was betting man, I would have been broke by now.
Beating Cotto was one of Pac's greatest wins, that's including his lighter past. What came just before that though... People complain about the fights afterwards, but Clottey, Margarito now Mosley, apart from Floyd, I can't think of harder opposition. My problem is before the Cotto fight, Pacquiao really cruised through both 135 and 140. TBH, I don't see anyone that could have troubled him at those divisions, but still, it would have been nice if he had... taken his time. Fought some champions. Then moved up. The catchweight wasn't nice, but Pacquiao would beat that version Cotto at any weight in my opinion.
2 years later and one year after their encounter, the thought of Pacquiao-Cotto II would be considered cherrypicking. It's amazing how Pac gets so much hate on ESB even after such an amazing performance, on top of already a great career in the lower divisions.
One pound drained. Cotto picked the weight and said he won't go anything less than 145 and when they tried to ask for a lower weight he threatened to cancel. You are just a ******ed jealous filth bag.
I think a lot got a respect for Pac now! The Mexicans giving him his dues! Only The *****s spreading those hate!
I think it's easily Pac's best win at WW. I was actually watching this fight again last night and forgot how relatively well Cotto fought in the first 5 rounds....of course the bottom really fell out after that.