The Long Kiss Goodnight

     In just two weeks, the sporting world has witnessed what seems to be the departure of three hall of famers.  While all three have greatness as their common trait, the manner in which they departed their sport varies tremendously.  The differences, though, highlight the toughest question every competitive athlete must answer, "Is it time to hang them up?"


Clock Strikes 11

     Heading into the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers seemed to be in trouble.  Their game lacked the usual flow, execution and swagger that were signatures of Phil Jackson-coached teams.  Still, it surprised everyone as a team, led by Kobe Bryant, the NBA's most clutch player since Michael Jordan and coached by 11 time champion coach Jackson, struggled through a weak New Orleans Hornets team and then proceeded to be dismissed by the Dallas Mavericks in a sweep.  While losing is part of every team, even the great ones, this final stand for Jackson was sad at best.  The winningest coach of the playoffs couldn't muster up any supreme effort from his players and worst of all, he couldn't keep his players' attitudes and frustrations in check, failing to stop both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum from hurting the Mavericks' players with blatant dirty plays.  As many highs as Jackson attained in his career, that exit was just plain horrible.


Race to (B)itch Mountain 

      When Floyd Mayweather cooked up yet another excuse not to face Manny Pacquiao, "Sugar" Shane Mosley stepped up to challenge the Filipino champ.  While many were quick to scoff at Mosley and his advancing age, I defended their fight because Mosley would at least man up and trade punches with Pacman; or so I thought.  After testing Pacquiao's power and getting knocked down in round 3, Mosley did the unthinkable. The man who beat the great Oscar de la Hoya (twice) and the man who racked up over 30 KO's to his name ran, and I mean RAN. Mosley spent rounds 4 through 12 backpedalling, trying his best to get some cardio while avoiding getting hit.  So cowardly was his tactics that Pacquiao literally stopped and asked him to punch in the middle of the fight. This shameful loss may be only one loss in Mosley's storied career and he himself is unsure if his career is over, but as exits go, this is probably the worst.  A tremendous career littered with supreme talent and transcendent achievements will forever be tarnished by a tragic race around the ring.


It's Only Natural

      Ask anyone and they'll tell you that sports are for the young, but apparently, Randy Couture didn't get the memo.  At well over 40, Couture was still fighting at a high level and even racked up yet another three-fight winning streak.  Couture, though, was already contemplating retirement and was looking for one last big fight.  With a hall of fame career and five titles to his name, it made a lot of sense for Randy to seek out an easy fight to put a cherry on top of his sundae of a career.  Instead, he asked for a match against Lyoto Machida, the UFC's most elusive fighter and resident karate kid.  Machida posed plenty of problems for Couture, but he wanted a true challenge as his last fight, just like every other fight he fought in his long career.  While Couture was eventually knocked out (via a tremendous "Crane Kick" by Machida), he exited with his head held high (albeit lacking a tooth) because he went out the same way he came in; fighting at a tremendously high level.  Just like Japan's samurais before, Couture went out swinging and he (and we as fans) couldn't ask for a better end.



     The competitive nature of athletes makes it difficult to determine when it is time to stop and retire.  Oftentimes, we see athletes play one more game or fight one more match than they should've.  Here's a hint for them, though.  They make a conscious effort to end things on their terms, fighting/playing as hard as they can and then exit.  If they're going to be unable to maintain a high level like Phil Jackson or embarrass themselves like Shane Mosley, they might as well hang them up early.

5 Questions on Pacquiao Cotto Answered

     Time Asia's newest cover boy Manny Pacquiao takes on Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto on Sunday (Saturday US time) in the aptly-titled pay per view, "Firepower," and to serve as the fight's primer, I will answer five of the most important questions surrounding their bout.

1.  Can Pacquiao take Cotto's power?

     No.  Despite Manny's unbelievably gruelling training of having someone hit his body with a stick, Cotto's power is hard to overcome.  Cotto's attack, which usually involves very punishing body blows (and even low blows), really can hurt welterweights, much more welterweights who came up in weight like Manny.  His sterling record of 34 wins (27 by knockout) is littered with big welterweights, so Manny will feel the power of each of Cotto's vaunted body punches.  If Cotto catches Manny with more than a few body blows, it could be a long night for Pacquiao.  Now, before everyone panics and calls for my head, read on.

2.  Can Cotto nullify or match Pacquiao's speed?

     No.  Every single opponent of Pacquiao had said that they had studied and figured out Manny's speed and quickness (both in foot movement and punching speed) before they succumb to it in the ring.  Cotto has joined those ranks by claiming he can fight speed as proven by wins over Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey.  While those two are bordering on great as well, Pacquiao's speed is nowhere close to theirs.  Manny's unworldly hand and foot speed is what truly makes him great, not his punching power as a large number of fans are wont to believe.  The problem for Cotto is that he can prepare as much as he wants, but no sparring partner on this planet, much less in his camp, approximates "Pacman," so he has not prepared adequately for Manny's speed and quickness.  While Cotto's powerful punch can knock people out, a barrage of "Pacman" punches, some of which Cotto might not even see, can knock him out too.   

3.  Will either fighter's training camp distractions prove fatal to their bid?


       No.  Manny's camp was littered with distractions, from the two super typhoons, to infighting between adviser Michael Koncz and trainer Alex Ariza, to Freddie Roach scoffing at Manny Villar's pandering to the, "Pambansang Kamao."  All these, however, distracting, are par for the course for every "Pacman" camp.  Expect Pacquiao to be ready for fight night as he himself recognizes the tremendous opportunity laid before him.  Meanwhile, Cotto's camp which was a little busier than usual watching Cotto's weight, was rocked by former trainer (and Cotto's uncle) Evangelista Cotto, who slapped a lawsuit on the fighter, the culmination of years of infighting with the Cottos, Miguel Sr. and Jr.  Just like Manny, though, expect Cotto to be ready for what is easily the biggest fight of his life.  While he has expressed respect and admiration for Pacquiao, it is also important to remember that the Puerto Rican covets all the admiration, riches and glamour Pacquiao has earned.

4.  What will happen in the fight?


      Many boxing experts differ on their predictions, with some counting on Pacquiao's speed to win and some counting on Cotto's power.  My fearless forecast?  Pacquiao will win in either late round knockout or unanimous decision.  Manny will be well wary of Cotto's power and he will be highly motivated to frustrate Cotto and take away his strength advantage.  The last thing Pacquiao needs is to lose by knockout, expect Manny to do everything in his power to avoid it.  Manny doing everything in his power usually means lights out for his opponent.


5.  What will be next for both fighters?


     Considering the fight goes as I predicted, expect both fighters to still be in the fight game.  A loss diminishes Cotto's marketability and charisma, but it won't be too bad that Bob Arum can't find a fight for him.  A rematch against Antonio Maragarito is being floated around and expect Shane Mosley to come knocking if he sees Cotto has slowed down.  For Manny, a showdown with Floyd Mayweather would be golden, but don't wait with bated breath.  Mayweather will angle for more money and slow down negotiations and don't be surprised to see Manny face Juan Manuel Marquez instead.  A third fight in that rivalry would be a good pay per view and with both fighters aching to defeat the other convincingly, should be a slam-bang affair.


Next Week: I will do a checklist of these five questions to see where I went right and wrong.


photos courtesy of Getty Images and the AP