Will Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto be another Hagler-Hearns?

Could Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto recreate 8 minutes of ring mayhem as Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns did 24 years ago ?

Promoter Bob Arum thinks it is possible.

Hagler v Hearns, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, in April 1985, is regarded by many as the most exciting eight minutes in fight history, with Hagler the winner by a technical knockout in the third round. It was Fight of the Year after both men went at it from the opening bell like men possessed.

Miguel Cotto against Manny Pacquiao brings together two fighters who are sporting icons in Puerto Rico and the Philippines respectively, and who are regarded as boxing’s No 3 and No 1 pound-for-pound, respectively, at present.

Cotto, 29, a two-weight world champion, has fought at welterweight for three years, and has been beaten only once in 35 contests, while Pacquiao, 30, attempts to win a seventh world title in a seventh weight division, which has seen him come up over eight years from flyweight to welterweight. He has been beaten twice in his 55-fight career, with two draws.

Although this contest is taking place at 145lbs, Cotto’s World Boxing Organisation welterweight (147lb) crown is on the table.

When Hagler and Hearns met in 1985, for the WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight titles, Hagler was 30, and had lost only twice, much earlier in his career, while Hearns was 26 and had been beaten just once, stopped in the 14th round by Sugar Ray Leonard.
Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, visited both training camps – in Baguio City in the Philippines and Tampa, Florida.

“The way Manny and Miguel are talking about it, it could be like the three-round war between Hagler and Hearns,” the veteran promoter Arum told Telegraph Sport. “The conventional wisdom is that Cotto is best when he’s aggressive, but I don’t know if he feels he can be aggressive with this guy from the get-go. But if Cotto is aggressive, though, it could be a Hagler v Hearns all over again.”

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Arum predicts brutal ending

American promoter Bob Arum predicts a brutal ending in the world welterweight bout between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and defending champion Miguel Cotto this weekend.

Though Arum promotes both Pacquiao and the Puerto Rican Cotto, the astute promoter insists during an overseas telephone conversation with the Bulletin that he himself is perplexed with the possible outcome of the fight after seeing both fighters prepare for this bout.

Anybody who tells you now that they know for sure how it's gonna end up, is not telling the truth,” said Arum “The reason this fight is creating so much attention is because of the fact that people who know boxing are baffled as to how this fight is going to turn out.”

Arum though sees the fight to be stopped in the later rounds but won’t be surprised if the fight lasts the distance that is set for 12-rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I know how the fight is going to start and the question is can Miguel handle Manny’s speed early on and can Manny handle Miguel’s power early on?” said Arum. “They’re gonna both be aggressive in the beginning. If that doesn’t work for either of them, then you’ll see Miguel resorting to be a counter-puncher and Manny going on the attack.”

Arum believes his latest promotion might be one of the most successful promotions he has ever staged owing to the marketability of both Cotto and Pacquiao.

“What boxing always needs is a charismatic figure that people want to see and an opponent who can give him very tough battle,” said Arum “We have Manny Pacquiao as the charismatic figure in boxing and Miguel Cotto as a tremendously powerful welterweight that stands in his way. That captures everyone’s imagination.”

Meantime, Pacquiao on Tuesday concluded his training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood with a four-round sparring opposite Ray Beltran.

“He’s sharper than before and I don’t see him losing this bout,” said Beltran.

Beltran has been part of Pacquiao’s sparring partners in the Filipino’s bout with Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, and Oscar De La Hoya.

Source: mb.com.ph

Cotto confident of making 145 lb

HOLLYWOOD – Miguel Cotto said he’d make weight. And keep his money in the bank.

The wide-bodied left-hooker from Puerto Rico on Monday crushed all insinuations that he’s having problems with his weight, and assured everyone that he’d come in at 145 lb for the Friday’s official weigh-in at the MGM Grand.

“When we took this fight we decided that we were fine with 145. We knew we could do it and we knew we would be at our best the next night. We would not have taken this fight if we didn’t think I was going to be at my best the next night after the weigh-in,” he said.

Cotto spoke from Las Vegas, where he’s training for the fight, and told doghouseboxing.com that 145 is what’s been agreed upon, and 145 will it be.

As speculated in the fight contract, Cotto will be fined $1 million for every pound in excess of 145, and he goes a fraction over 147, Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddei Roach, said he’d call off the fight.


Cotto can save all his money if he comes in at 145 lb. He said he will.

The last time the 29-year-old fighter, a welterweight all his life, fought at 145 lb was against Zab Juddah, two years and five months ago. He won that fight, and retained his WBO crown in the 147 lb division.

He said the time won’t make a difference, and he’d be in at 145.

“The last fight I spent more than 24 hours doing nothing. Just waiting for the weigh-in. My weight was 145. All I have to do is add a half hour to my work every day and I am going to reach 145 with no problem,” he said.

But a lot of people think otherwise, and that includes Pacquiao.

“He’s reducing right now,” said the Filipino icon, adding that by now, the Puerto Rican star must be keeping starving.

“Malaking disadvantage sa kanya yan. Lalu na kapag dikdikan ang laban (It will be a big disadvantage particularly in a tight fight),” he said. – Abac Cordero

Source: philstar.com

Sparmates give Manny solid edge over Cotto

HOLLYWOOD— By his account, Urbano Antillon has been around many training camps as a sparring partner. And he has yet to see anyone like Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s one of the hardest workers in the sport,” said the California-based Mexican, currently the No. 1-ranked lightweight contender of the WBC who totes a record of 26-1 with 19 knockouts.

Antillon hooked up with Team Pacquiao as a sparring partner for the Filipino icon, who battles Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 for the Puerto Rican’s WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The 27-year-old fighter said that after months of trading leather with Pacquiao, he expects the rapid-punching, hard-hitting southpaw to dominate the match against Cotto using his vaunted speed.

“The speed has always been the key why Manny Pacquiao has been successful,” said Antillon, who, quite interestingly, lists Pacquiao’s brother Bobby as one of his victims.

Antillon has been on the receiving end of many of those quick flurries from the reigning pound-for-pound champion and knows what he’s talking about.

“His speed is expected, but when you’re there (in the ring) with him, it’s really overwhelming,” he said.

Although he did not make any predictions, he said he feels Cotto is in for a tough night against Pacquiao.

“Cotto’s a great fighter, but he’s just a little too slow for Pacquiao,” said Antillon.

Pacquiao’s other sparring partners also voiced optimism that the Filipino is headed for a big night in Las Vegas.

In separate interviews with Fighthype.com, Shawn Porter and Rashad Holloway said Pacquiao definitely has the edge against Cotto.

“Manny is definitely ready,” said Porter. “I think this is his time and I think you guys will see a lot in the ring. You guys might be surprised.”

Holloway went as far as predicting a knockout victory for the Filipino superstar.

“I believe if he catches Cotto in the first couple of rounds, Cotto’s going to sleep,” said Holloway. “That straight left and his right hand have gotten stronger.”

Recently, though, Cotto brushed aside talk that Pacquiao will dominate him with speed, insisting that the game plan his corner has cooked up will be more than enough to negate that vaunted Pacman edge.

“You know what? That’s why we prepare ourselves,” Cotto told Examiner.com. “He’s a fast fighter. We know he has speed. We know he has a style and we are prepared to beat it. You’ll find out on the 14th how I am going to deal with his speed. It’s not going to be a factor, even though everyone thinks it is.”

Pacquiao has said he will use his speed and his movement to counter Cotto’s size and strength, adding that he is confident about his chances in the coming match, where he hopes to take a seventh weight championship.

“I’m always confident in every fight,” said Pacquiao on Saturday.

Source: inquirer.net

Hot in Vegas: Pacquiao a big 3-1 favorite vs Cotto

Manny Pacquiao is now installed a big 3-1 favorite to beat Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here (Sunday in Manila).

The latest odds at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino was posted as Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach, strengthening coach Alex Ariza and the rest of the group, including cager-turned-comedian Benjie Paras, arrived in the city that prides itself as the “Gambling Capital of the World."

The Filipino ring icon was earlier installed as a 2-1 pick to win the 12-round bout.

But odds showed Pacquiao already a -350 favorite, meaning a bet of $350 would only win $100.

In contrast, champion Cotto is +270, meaning a bet of $100 easily wins $270.

Meanwhile, the “Will Go/Won’t Go 10 Full Rounds" proposition read +125 that the fight will go 10 full rounds and -155 that it won’t go 10 full rounds.

Odds and figures, however, don’t impress boxing’s current pound-for-pound king.

“Ayaw kong isipin na liyamado ako," said Pacquiao, 30, as he was relaxing at his posh suite at the 60th floor of The Hotel.

“Mas nasa isip ko pa rin na dehado ako."

On Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), the formal arrival presentation will be held at the MGM Grand, with Pacquiao the first to be welcomed by Top Rank Promotions led by Bob Arum, and members of the working press.

The 29-year-old Cotto, who’s been in Vegas since Tuesday of last week together with trainer Joe Santiago and conditioning coach Phil Landman, follows Pacquiao after an hour.

The following day, the two boxing stars get to meet on stage as the final press conference for the boxing card dubbed “Firepower" is scheduled at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theater.

Two days later, the official weigh-in will be held, with fans of both Pacquiao and Cotto expected to fill in every nook and cranny of the Garden Arena.

Twenty four hours later, the highly-anticipated fight and one of the biggest for the year, is finally on. - GMANews.TV

Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao-Cotto: Massive Predictions From Fighters, Celebs

LAS VEGAS - BIG George Foreman leads the list of boxers, professional athletes, celebrities and the esteemed press core who all have opinions about the outcome of FIREPOWER: MANNY PACQUIAO and MIGUEL COTTO. The championship bout takes placeon Saturday November 14 at MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In just five days the pound-for-pound king Pacquiao and three-time world champion Cotto meet in the ring in one of the most talked about match-ups in recent boxing history. Some of the most well-known fighters, celebrities, athletes and writers are abuzz with talk of Saturday's evenly matched battle.

From Foreman to P. Diddy, Trump to Hopkins, below please find the predictions of these famous personalities as they answer the question "Pacquiao vs. Cotto-Who will win and why?"

THE BOXERS ARE PICKIN'...

"I think there would have been a good opportunity for Pacquiao to win if he faced Cotto before he fought Clottey, but now Cotto is thinking defense. I think Cotto is going to pull out a decision, and now because of the terrible beating he took against Margarito, he knows he can't get into a knockdown drag out brawl. He's going to be smarter, and I think Cotto wins in a 12 round decision.

"Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world. And it leaves you kind of complacent when you're winning. And even if you don't want it to, sometimes you can't get up for a big fight. And that's a plus for Cotto.

I think it's an excellent fight. But when you're riding high you think you're going to walk through your opponent. You get overconfident. People in your camp tell you you're going to win. And you have your spies in camp, telling you about the other guy. When I faced Ali, Frazier and Norton both had beaten Ali, and I had knocked them out pretty easily. So when I faced Ali, I had that confidence, and you think I surely can beat this guy. So I know the feeling, and I think that will happen to Pacquiao." - George Foreman, Former Two-Time Heavyweight World Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Entrepreneur.

"I pick Manny Pacquiao by knockout. I think he will knock him out in 7 or 8. Manny just has too much for Cotto." - Mike Tyson, Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World

"Pacquiao is going to chop Cotto up. Out of respect, Cotto will get some rounds, but Manny is the Bruce Lee of boxing. His basketball and martial arts background give him that speed and agility. You can't tell where his shots are coming from. Unlike Rocky, Bruce Lee was a real dude and so is Manny. - Bernard Hopkins, Former Two-Division World Champion and Future Boxing Hall of Famer

"I think Manny Pacquiao is going to be too quick for Cotto. I was ringside when Cotto fought Clottey. He seemed to struggle a bit in that fight and it is hard to say what he will do against a faster, quicker Pacquiao. I know people say Cotto is the bigger guy but I still think Pacquiao beats him in a decision." - Joe Calzaghe, Former Undefeated Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion

"Manny Pacquiao, he's the best, he's on top right now!" - Chad Dawson, Current IBF Light Heavyweight Champion

"It's going to be an interesting fight, and I think Pacquiao better take it very seriously! I think Cotto will win because he's a little bit bigger and is a real welterweight. His power may be enough to overcome Pacquiao's speed. I think Cotto wins in a decision." - "Sugar" Shane Mosley, Current WBA Welterweight Champion

"If Cotto stays busy, he'll win a decision! I think that Cotto will win the fight, but I thinks it's gonna be a good fight!" - Winky Wright, Former Undisputed Light Middleweight Champion, Current Middleweight Contender

"Manny is a big puncher and a good boxer, but he has never faced a natural welterweight like Miguel. Cotto is the most dangerous fight of Pacquiao's career. On the night of the fight, Pacquiao will still not be a full welterweight. And Cotto is very strong. As the fight plays out, around rounds 7, 8, 9, that's when Cotto starts taking over. I think Cotto will win be decision, but he might even get a knockout. With all of my heart I think Miguel Cotto will win." - Tito Trinidad, Former Three-Division World Champion and Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year

"I'm a Puerto Rican like Cotto, but I like Pacquiao because he has fought better guys, like De La Hoya. I see him having no problem against Cotto. Cotto is not a smart fighter, he boxes, and he's shown his colors already. He can be beat. So can Pacquiao, but I like Pacquiao. He has an unorthodox style, with punches coming from all over. Cotto tries to box. I see Pacquiao possibly stopping him. Pacquiao's on a roll, he has the confidence, and he has the boxing momentum. I see him winning." - Hector Camacho, Former WBC and WBO Three-Division Champion

"Pacquiao is a good boxer and Cotto is a fighter. I'm going to give the edge to Cotto, and not just because he's Puerto Rican, but because of the way he fights. He always comes to fight, he's always in shape. Cotto is going to have the edge. I see him winning by decision, but I do think he can knock Pacquiao out if the chance arrives." - Carlos Ortiz, Former Three-Time World Champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer

THE ATHLETES ARE PICKIN'...

"I think Pacquiao will win in 12 rounds, but if there is a knock out I think it will happen in the 9th. Pacquiao is too quick for Cotto." - Terrell Suggs, Three-Time Pro-Bowl Linebacker/Defensive End, Baltimore Ravens

"I'd like to see Pacquiao win because then he'd get to fight Mayweather, and THAT's a fight I really want to see!" - Vernon Davis, Tight End, San Francisco 49'ers

"I think Pacquiao will win with a knock out in the 8th round. He is the best pound for pound fighter right now and he will be too much for Cotto to handle." - Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos

"I think its going to be a great fight, but I think Cotto's got the edge because Pacquio leaves himself open too much. So I'm going with Cotto in a decision" - Kellen Winslow Jr., Tight End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"It should be one of the best fights of the year between two incredible boxers. Cotto's size advantage could help him early on - if it does go the distance, I think Pacquiao's technique and experience will be tough to beat. But, I say Cotto wins at the end of the day." - Kris Jenkins, Four-Time Pro Bowl Defensive-Tackle, New York Jets

"Manny's quickness on his feet and landing punches will help to win on a knock out." - Justin Morneau, Three-Time All-Star, 2006 AL MVP, 2008 Home Run Derby Champion, First Baseman, Minnesota Twins

"Manny. He's quick and that might be too much for Cotto to handle." - Justin Verlander, Two-Time All-Star, 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

"If Cotto can slow the fight, hit Pac with lead rights, he will be good. I believe Pac will have too much activity, and cuts will play a role in a Pac victory" - Lee Evans, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills

"Cotto will be the last one standing!" - Brian Roberts, Two-Time All-Star, Second Baseman, Baltimore Orioles

"Miguel Cotto will end Manny's domination with hard jabs and will knock him out in the later rounds to end Pac-Mans reign." - Gordon Beckham, 2009 Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year, Third Baseman, Chicago White Sox

"Pacquiao....I think he is on a roll right now and he doesn't get enough credit for the power he brings so I think he wins by decision." - Calvin Pace, Linebacker, New York Jets

THE CELEBRITIES ARE PICKIN'...

"Pacquiao and Cotto are two of the best welterweights out there. While both fighters possess tremendous punching power and heart, I believe that the speed of Pacquiao will earn him the WBO welterweight belt. If Pacquiao is victorious, Mayweather would be the next fight that I and all fans would want to see." - Donald Trump, Chairman and CEO of The Trump Organization

"If Cotto reconnects the way he was three years ago, he may give Pacquiao a problem" - Sean "P.Diddy" Combs, Hip-Hop Artist, Actor and Entrepreneur

"Pacquiao is my guy, we've hung out before. He's the kind of guy you'd want with you if a bar fight broke out, I will be there to support him!" - Tyrese Gibson, Actor starring in Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

"Manny Pacquiao's nickname is 'The Mexicutioner.' He's beaten more Latinos than the police. Pacquiao...unanimous decision." - George Lopez, Comedian, Actor, and Host of Lopez Tonight!

"I'm sorry, the Filipino's going to win!" - Mark Consuelos, Television Personality and Former All My Children star

"Both have no quit. Basically it's Pacman's speed and angles vs Cotto's powerful body shots and boxing skills. Two things to watch, if Cotto's cut above eye opens. And does Cotto's new trainer get him fighting sharper than he did against Clottey? This one will go down with the classics. If Cotto's on he wins, if not Pacman." - John Leguizamo, Emmy-Award Winning Actor from Moulin Rouge, Ice Age, Collateral Damage and Assault on Precinct 13.

"I've seen plenty of people talk about standing in front of Pacquaio, but those people always seem to not make it through too well. Cotto will be the same. Pacquiao in a walk. Knock out in the fifth or sixth." - Carrot Top, Comedian

"I'm going to have to go with Pacquiao. I saw his last fight and he's just out of control!" -Sam Trammell, Actor in hit series True Blood

"Pacman wins cause Pacman fights. If Pacman loses, then the Philippines won't have no lights!" - Andre Royo, Actor appearing in television series The Wire

THE WRITERS ARE PICKIN'...

"This is a fight of speed and accuracy for Pacquiao, against the body punching of Cotto. Vegas has always been Pacquiao's home, and the Evel Knievelof boxing will leap over another opponent to come away with the win. Pacquiao also has a secret ingredient called Freddie Roach, who's battle plans bring tears to the eyes of Robert E Lee. Cotto is a gutsy and gritty fighter, but I think Pacquiao stops him on cuts, and wins in the 8th round." - Burt Sugar, boxing writer and historian

"Manny Pacquiao, because his strength and speed has not been lost as he has gone up in weight. Cotto gets hit too much because he's just not quick enough to defend himself against someone as lightning-quick as Pacquiao." - Bob Velin, USA Today

"I initially picked Pacquiao, but I did a flip flop on this one. For a guy that started at 106, you have to figure he's going to climb up one division too high at one point. Cotto is not an Oscar at the end of the line, and he's not Ricky Hatton. He's one of the top five or six in the world, and he's a natural welterweight. I'm picking Cotto by decision. His strength is going to be too much. Pacquiao keeps surprising me, but this may be the fight where he goes up one weight class too many." - Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News

"Pacquiao by a knockout. His left is a laser and Cotto is fairly easy to hit with straight shots." - Gordon Marino, Wall Street Journal

"Pacquiao has enjoyed a meteoric rise by beating on offensive oriented fighters (David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton) but Cotto will be the first true counterpuncher he has faced since Juan Manuel Marquez. Cotto has the speed and skill to deflect Pacquiao's heaviest shots and the power in both hands to return a few of his own. Expect a back-and-forth, uber competitive fight that is worth every dollar of the Pay Per View price-but expect Cotto to emerge with the decision." - Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated

"I am having an incredibly hard time picking this fight. I find myself going back and forth - which is, of course, the sign of an excellent matchup. The big factors are going to be whether Cotto can cope with Pacquiao's speed, and whether Pacquiao can deal with Cotto's strength. I can see a scenario in which either man wins; but I still can't escape the feeling that Cotto is a little diminished after his fight with Antonio Margarito. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see him win, but for now, I think Pacquiao's speed and sheer volume of punches will prove too much, and Pacquiao will win by clear decision." - Kieran Mulvaney, Reuters

"Pacquiao's extraordinarily fast and Cotto has slowed down since the Margarito fight. If I were convinced Cotto was going to be the same guy he was before he fought Margarito, I'd take him. But I think he's slowed because of the damage he took in that fight and, as a result, I expect Manny to move in and out, hitting Cotto and sliding out of danger. I expect a great fight but I expect Manny to win a decision." - Kevin Iole, Yahoo.com

"Cotto in a decision. He is the first legitimate welterweight that Pacquiao has faced who is in his prime rather than a blown up junior welterweight or a fighter who is no longer in the prime of his career." - Tim Smith, New York Daily News

"I like Pacquiao to stop Cotto in the 10th round of what should be a tremendous fight. Pac-Man's speed will eventually get through Cotto's skillful defense, but not before Manny is forced to answer his toughest challenge yet. Pacquiao's gloves will be punishing enough with only his fist inside. Mayweather might want to book the winner quickly because fans just might like to see a sequel to this." - Jim Slater, Agence France Presse

"This figures to be Pacquiao's toughest test yet. Cotto is big, strong and tough. He also showed great resolve in beating Joshua Clottey in June. However, Pacquiao is at the top of his game and despite the apparent distractions during his training camp in the Philippines, he can overcome that and use his speed, power and quickness to stop Cotto. Plus, there's the motivation of a potential mega payday with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the spring if Pacquiao wins. So he figures to be ready to give his best performance inside the ring. It will be a close fight, a tough fight with Cotto having his moments of brilliance, especially early on. But Pacquiao will weather the early storm and should eventually pull it out, earning a split decision." - Steve Carp, Las Vegas Review-Journal

"Pacquiao has proven his greatness. But even the great ones get beat and tonight Pac Man gets beat. Miguel Cotto is a strong, tough world-class welterweight who will wear down Pacquiao over the course of a very good fight. Cotto can handle speed -- as he did when he beat Sugar Shane Mosley. But Pacquiao won't be able to handle this welterweight's strength and power. Cotto wins by 11th-round TKO." - Bobby Cassidy, Newsday

Source: boxingscene.com

Pacquiao and Cotto have an equal chance to win Saturday's showdown

Being a fulltime boxing writer is, for the most part, a great gig.

The athletes I write about for RingTV.com are fascinating -- often inspirational -- personalities, and some of the events I get to cover are right out of a hardcore fight fan’s dream.

The welterweight showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, which takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this Saturday, is a prime example.

I’m going to be ringside to witness the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter take on one of the best welterweights in an atmosphere that will be akin to a World Cup final.

So what’s the drawback of being a fight scribe? There really aren’t any, but a slight pain in my butt is the expectation from fans and fellow journalists to pick the winner before every major fight.

Usually it’s no big deal, but every now and then we’re lucky enough to get a match between world-class fighters that’s too close to make a clear call.

That’s what we have with Cotto vs. Pacquiao. Folks, this is an even matchup between classy fighters I admire so much that trying to predict the outcome actually takes away from the enjoyment of the fight.

Sadly, if I just call the fight a “pick-’em” contest and leave it at that the message board freaks will say I’m “hedging” or “waffling.” Whatever.

The truth is that both Pacquiao and Cotto have an equal chance to win Saturday’s fight and I’m going to tell you why, starting with the Filipino icon.

WHY PACQUIAO WILL WIN

Pacquiao’s keys to victory are obvious ones -- his speed and style.

Cotto has many impressive physical tools, but quickness isn’t one of them.

While it’s true the two-division titleholder has proven his ability to cope with faster fighters. I don’t know whether he’s ever dealt with a speed demon of Pacquiao’s caliber.

Cotto has faced two fighters possessing hand speed that is comparable to Pacquiao’s -- Zab Judah and Shane Mosley, both of whom he beat in 2007.

What doesn’t bode well for Cotto is that Judah, who isn’t in Pacquiao’s league, repeatedly nailed and rocked him during the first half of their entertaining scrap.

Many ringsiders believed that Mosley, who is in Pacquiao’s league, competed well enough with Cotto to deserve a draw. Some fans and members of the press thought Mosley did enough to win the fight by a point or two.

So while it’s true that Cotto has the skills to compete with faster fighters, it’s clear that he struggles when faced with ultra-talented speed merchants.

Unfortunately for Cotto, Pacquiao is a far more complete fighter than Judah and, unlike Mosley, he’s also in his prime.

However, it’s not just the velocity of Pacquiao’s punches that will cause Cotto all kinds of trouble; it’s the various angles from which the pound-for-pound king will deliver his blistering combinations.

Under Freddie Roach’s guidance, Pacquiao has developed into a complete boxer with a full arsenal at his disposal, and the dynamic southpaw can reach into his bag of veteran tricks to unleash jabs, right hooks, lead lefts, uppercuts, body shots or head and foot feints at the speed of thought.

Adding defense and additional angles to Pacquiao’s upper-body offense is his frenetic footwork. The Pac-Man’s feet are just as fast as his fists and his fluid in-and-out movement have made him one of the most devastating stick-and-move specialists of the decade.

Bottom line: Pacquiao is very hard to time and almost impossible to predict.

Can the same be said of Cotto?

I think not.

However, Cotto has a lot going for him in this fight.

WHY COTTO WILL WIN

Like Pacquiao, Cotto’s advantages are obvious ones: his size, physical strength, savvy and versatility.

Cotto is no more than an inch and a half taller than Pacquiao and his reach is equal to or even shorter than the naturally smaller man. However, the Puerto Rican star is a real welterweight; Pacquiao isn’t.

While it’s true Pacquiao has fought at welterweight once before and looked spectacular taking apart Oscar De La Hoya last December, we all know that he faced a faded, weight-drained veteran, and he had to train on protein shakes just to tip the scales at 142 pounds.

Roach is the first to admit that junior welterweight, where Pacquiao holds THE RING world title, is the best division for his fighter.

“He had two full meals before the (Ricky) Hatton weigh-in and he still only weighed in at 138 pounds,” Roach said recently.

Cotto competed in the 139-pound division during the final years of his amateur career, when he was still a teen-ager. He struggled mightily to make the 140-pound limit as a young pro before he finally stepped up to the welterweight division in December of 2006.

I don’t have to tell RingTV.com readers that Cotto has looked much sturdier at 147 pounds than he did at junior welterweight.

Cotto is used to banging with much bigger men than Pacquiao and he has exhibited the physical strength to muscle junior middleweight-sized fighters to the ropes.

If Cotto can back Pacquiao to the ropes, he has the power and accuracy to seriously hurt the 140-pound champ.

I’ve witnessed more than a few sparring sessions in which rugged fighters who were lighter than Cotto backed Pacquiao to the ropes and put heavy hands on the Pinoy hero.

Former lightweight contender Jose Armando Santa Cruz did it more than once prior to Pacquiao’s fight with Jorge Solis in 2007. Once-beaten lightweight Urbano Antillon did it in a number of gym sessions during Pacquiao’s camp for Hatton.

Cruz and Antillon are tough hombres but they don’t punch as accurately or as hard as Cotto does.

Pacquiao’s fans can make the argument that their man often holds back in sparring sessions, and I agree with this point, but there’s evidence in his fights that he’s vulnerable along the ropes.

Erik Morales landed his best shots when Pacquiao’s back was to the ropes. I recall a natural junior featherweight, Oscar Larios, putting Pacquiao on Queer Street for a scary split second or two during their 130-pound bout in 2006. Larios landed his near-history-changing left hook while Pacquiao was playing around on the ropes.

If Cotto gets Pacquiao in the same position and lands his hook in the same spot, forget about it, the fight’s over.

But Cotto has more than a puncher’s chance in Saturday’s contest. He has the kind of guile, savvy and versatility that only comes from quality experience.

No, Cotto is not as seasoned as Pacquiao, nor has he faced as many elite fighters as the six-division titleholder has, but he’s as experienced against top fighters as a 29-year-old boxer can be.

In less than 10 years in the pro game, Cotto has faced 11 titleholders, five of whom were undefeated and three of whom were Top-5 RING-ranked contenders at the time he fought them.

Cotto’s one-sided stoppages of Carlos Quintana and Carlos Massua, his slugfests with Ricardo Torres and Judah, and his 12-round battles with Mosley and Joshua Clottey have shown us the kind of fighter and man he is.

He’s a formidable boxer-puncher with clean technique, accurate combinations, underrated counter-punching ability and a devastating body attack. He’s doesn’t have the best set of whiskers but his heart is truly world-class. Cotto will not wilt in the face of adversity.

Some fools have had the gall to say Cotto quit in his lone loss to Antonio Margarito last July. That’s absolute garbage. Cotto, who boxed brilliantly for five rounds and fought valiantly for the next five, was literally beaten into submission by the iron-chinned Margarito, whose gloves might have been loaded.

Cotto does not quit when the going gets tough. Even when he’s partially blinded by a gruesome cut over one of his eyes, as he was in his tough fight with Clottey in June, the man finds a way to win.

Can the same be said about Pacquiao? I’m not 100 percent sure.

The hardest fights I’ve covered of Pacquiao’s was his technical draw with the late Agapito Sanchez in 2001, his points loss to Morales in 2005 and his split-decision over Juan Manuel Marquez last March.

In each of those bouts, Pacquiao suffered nasty gashes over one of his eyes and -- I know I’m going to piss off his legion of fans with what I’m about to suggest next, but so be it -- there were moments after he was cut in all three of those bouts when it looked like he didn’t want to be in the ring.

What if Pacquiao suffers a cut against a fighter as big and confident as Cotto? It may very well happen, folks. Pacquiao is a southpaw who jumps in with his punches and Cotto is an orthodox fighter who often leans his head forward when he lets his hands go.

If Pacquiao gets cut during Saturday’s fight, will he regress into the emotional one-armed bandit he used to be? Can he afford to have a round, or even half a round, when he seems lost or confused because of the flow of blood obstructing his vision?

Food for thought.

PREDICTION:

I’ve got one but I’m not letting it out of the bag yet.

I want to enjoy the anticipation of an excellent matchup without picking a winner for a few days.

Don’t worry, I’ll give my prediction by Friday’s mailbag, or maybe even after the weigh-in, but I want to hear what you think first.

Source: ringtv.com