Many pundits thought Miguel Cotto would be the one to upset Manny Pacquiao in a title match, but they were wrong. Cotto gave it five strong rounds before struggling. Cotto, overcome by Pacquiao’s speed, could not escape the onslaught of punches coming his way. In the 12th and final round, Manny went rabid on his opponent, prompting the referee to stop the match.

“They should have stopped it three rounds earlier, when Cotto started to run,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, who, once again, called the shot on how this one would go.

And now Cotto, one of the toughest, most feared welterweights of the era, was reduced to dancing and ducking backward, apparently praying for a miracle. Afterward, Cotto said what has become obvious to all now.

“I have fought all the greatest welterweights,” he said, “and Manny is the best.”

Pacquiao’s move up through the ranks, from a 106-pounder 14 years ago to a 145-pound welterweight champion (they fought the 147-pound division at a catch weight of 145) has been like a military march.

Manny has now won a record seven straight titles in seven divisions, gaining 40 pounds throughout the process. But that’s not the most amazing part…

After 12 rounds of boxing, Manny met up with his band at Mandalay Bay to play a late-night gig.

Cotto checked himself into the hospital.

- EPIC CARNIVAL has video of 10 of the best one-punch knockouts ever. And if you like cheerleaders in bikinis (and who doesn’t?), the site also has the Buffalo Jills’ photo shoot for Maxim.

- SPORTS CRACKLE POP has an embarrassing photo of Mark Sanchez from when he was a kid.

- FIVE TOOL TOOL lists five fantasy busts. (For the record, I really like Ray Rice.) The site also has 10 rules for naming your fantasy football team.

- WITH LEATHER reports that Jerry Jones is reluctant to move the giant video screen in his new stadium even though it has been hit by the punter.

- SPORTSbyBROOKS has details of Ray Lewis reading the eulogy at former Ravens quarterback Steve McNair’s funeral.

- DEADSPIN has the story (and audio) of Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s epic meltdown on satellite radio the other day, where he fired his program director on air.

- THE BIG LEAD has five of the worst hot stove signings so far this season.

- YARDBARKER (via DEADSPIN) has the story of entertaining boxer Arutro Gatti, who was reportedly killed in Brazil.

- Over at YARDBARKER, Brendan Haywood calls out LeBron for failing to shake hands or do interviews after losing Game 6 in Orlando.

- THE LEGEND OF CICILIO GUANTE lists the Top 10 Sports Quotes to Use While Watching Sports.

- SPORTSbyBROOKS has photos of a pregnant Royals fan drinking a little brew at the game. So sad. The site also finds it funny that Jay Mariotti lectured LeBron on good sportsmanship.

- THE LOVE OF SPORTS reviews “Tyson” (the movie).

Mike Tyson’s 4-year old daughter Exodus is in critical condition after she was found hanging from the cord of a treadmill at her home in Phoenix.

The 4-year-old daughter of former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson was critically injured on Monday in what police said was a tragic accident at home. According to Fox News, Exodus Tyson was found by her 7-year-old brother hanging from the cord of a treadmill. At press time was reported to be in “extremely” critical condition and on life support at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The toddler was reportedly playing near the exercise equipment in the family’s Phoenix home while her mother was elsewhere in the house cleaning on Monday morning. When her mother sent the boy to look for Exodus, he found her tangled in the cord. He alerted the mother, who immediately called 911 and began performing CPR.

“Somehow the little girl got something caught across her throat, she became unresponsive, the boy went and got the mother, and the mother came out and found the child,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Hill told the Phoenix Fox affiliate.

Tyson, who has been promoting a documentary about his life for the past month, “Tyson,” was in Las Vegas at the time of the accident and reportedly flew home immediately upon receiving word of it.

Police are calling the mishap a “tragic accident.” A police spokesperson told Fox News that there was “nothing in the investigation that revealed anything suspicious.”

I’m not a parent, so I can only imagine how kids can get into things when you think you’ve placed them in a safe environment. (Or disappear when you turn your back to do something else.)

I’m sure it was an accident and this is an incredibly sad situation. Hopefully young Exodus can recover.

- SPORTSbyBROOKS has photos of Reggie Bush’s girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, playing football on the beach. (One question — how in the world did the photographer fail to get a shot of her infamous derrier?)

- DEADSPIN informs us that Ricky Rubio’s camp is trying to keep him out of Memphis and Oklahoma City, but Sacramento would be okay. Wait, what? How is Sac-Town any better than OKC? He’d rather play with Kevin Martin than Kevin Durant (and Russell Westbrook)?

- Regular readers know I have no love for Laker fans, but Ryan Kane of LAKE SHOW LIFE does a tremendous job of calling out Sasha “The (Self-Proclaimed) Machine” Vujacic about his poor play this season.

- ZONER SPORTS has video of Brian Kenny’s entertaining interview with Floyd Mayweather. The two go at it pretty good.

- DEADSPIN has the story of Warriors PR Director Raymond Ridder, who spends his free (or is it on-the-clock) time posting positive comments about management (under an assumed name, mind you) in the Warriorsworld forums.

- Even though the Hawks don’t stand much chance against the Cavs in their best of seven series this postseason, UNCOACHED.COM notes that at least we can enjoy Atlanta’s A-Town Dancers (above).

- SPORTSbyBROOKS.COM shares details of tennis star Jelena Dokic’s father Damir, who is threatening to launch a rocket attack on the Australian ambassador to Serbia. Take it easy, guy!

- BLAZE OF LOVE compiles 10 of Ron Artest’s best quotes – with video.

- YARDBARKER reports that UFC’s Dana White won’t allow boxer Roy Jones to fight Anderson Silva.

- DEADSPIN notes that L.A. columnist Bill Plaschke is finally vindicated now that Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games by MLB. Plaschke warned all along that Ramirez was a no good troublemaker.

- EPIC CARNIVAL has video of Danica Patrick’s bikini photo shoot for Shape magazine.

- ONLINE SPORTS FANATIC breaks down which NFL running backs have a chance to break Emmitt Smith’s all-time rushing record.

- THE SPORTZ ASSASSIN wonders if the fact that top high school hoops prospect, John Wall, was just cited for misdemeanor breaking and entering will in any way shorten his list of schools he’s considering.

- SPORTSbyBROOKS has photos of Manny Pacquiao’s punching bag, Ricky Hatton, at the MGM Grand pool with his girlfriend the day after the fight.

- WITH LEATHER has video of Torry Holt’s bizarre middle finger on his left hand. It must be seen to be believed.

Let’s take a look at Jose Canseco’s checklist of things to do in your life:

1) Become a MVP winner in Major League Baseball. Check, as he won the 1988 American League MVP Award with the Oakland A’s.
2) Become a star on a television reality show. Check, as he became a cast member in Season five of the Surreal Life on VH-1.
3) Write a tell-all book on the steroid era in baseball. Check, as he wrote the book entitled Juiced.

And now you can add headlining a mixed martial art event to his list, as Canseco will fight 7-foot-2 and 330 pound Hong-Man Choi on May 26 in Japan.

Canseco vs. Choi is one of four matches in DREAM’s “Super Hulk Tournament” organized to boost television ratings. Here is the entire card:
Super Hulk Tournament (Open-Weight)
- Jose Canseco vs. Hong-Man Choi
- Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Hunt
- Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa vs. Bob Sapp
- Jan “The Giant” Nortje vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

Despite a 1-2 record, Choi is a dangerous MMA fighter due to his size and sheer strength. This is a definite step up from Canseco’s last opponent inside the ring, actor Danny Bonaduce. They boxed to a draw in an exhibition bout last January, and Canseco was also knocked out in a boxing match against former NFL player Vai Sikahema last summer.