Pacquiao Opens as 2-to-1 Betting Favorite against Cotto, Is It Justified?

Skybet.com is the first to list Manny Pacquiao as a 2-1 betting favorite over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 clash in Las Vegas. I will be the first to say, I am not stunned by the odds. Cotto will be the bigger man in this

fight, but I think people tend to overstate the weight advantage in boxing in general. In my article, Pacquiao’s “Manila Ice” will Cool Cotto, I point out many reasons for why I believe the Pacman will be victorious on November 14; obviously, the “Manila Ice” will play a major role. But there other factors.

Cotto backers often point out that Mosley and Judah are as fast, or just as fast, as Pacquiao. Therefore, Pacquiao will not overwhelm Cotto with his speed. But this notion is misleading. Mosley and Judah, both, fought Cotto flatfooted. Moreover, Mosley and Judah mostly relied on throwing one punch at a time, particularly Judah.

Pacquiao delivers powerful punches, and his punches come in bunches. Furthermore, not only has the Pacman improved his footwork since moving up to 135 pounds, he has improved his defense. The Pacman uses head movement and footwork to move away from returning shots after he unloads, and I think people will be surprised on the difficulty Cotto will have in landing clean shots on the Pacman.

My prediction: Cotto will not make it to the final bell. I have mentioned the “Manila Ice” will be a huge factor, but watch out for a left uppercut. Cotto likes to keep his guard up as he leans forward, leaving him susceptible to an uppercut. Judah was able to land it on Cotto early in their fight, but he was unable to capitalize. But Manny’s hand and foot speed will give Cotto fits all night long. Do not be surprised to see Miguel back peddling for survival before the Pacman’s relentless assault pins Cotto to the ropes and halts the action. I will be the first to publically go on record and state: do not be shocked if Cotto gets the De La Hoya treatment.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Pacquiao to face Cotto in Vegas

Manny Pacquiao's next fight will be against three-time world champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas in November.

Filipino Pacquiao, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions, while Puerto Rico's Cotto is the WBO welterweight world champion.
Promoter Bob Arum, who represents both fighters said: "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
"I'm really excited because it's a real fight. These are two real warriors."
Pacquiao has risen to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings over the past 19 months thanks to victories in four different weight divisions.

He beat Juan Manuel Marquez (super-featherweight), David Diaz (lightweight), Oscar de la Hoya (welterweight) and most recently Ricky Hatton (light-welterweight) in May.
Cotto was in action more recently, narrowly defeating Ghana's Joshua Clottey by split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden last month.
Arum added: "Whichever way this fight goes, I think it's going to be a classic because of the way these guys fight. There where will be a lot of engagement.
"They're great fighters. Cotto and Pacquiao are gutty guys. If you want blood and action and excitement, this is the fight."

Source: bbc.co.uk

Pacquiao, Cotto sign for Nov. 14 bout, and it becomes year's most important fight

Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will fight Nov. 14. An announcement from Top Rank Boxing made that megafight official Monday. They’ll be fighting at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on HBO pay-per-view at a weight limit of 144 pounds.

Cotto would have been a huge favorite over Pacquiao a year ago, when Cotto was the top welterweight in the world and Pacquiao was barely a lightweight, but Pacquiao’s sensational victories over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton since then probably have changed that. So has Cotto’s loss last July 26 to Antonio Margarito, even though that upset has been discredited in the meantime.

Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) has won two fights since the Margarito bout, the more important being his decision win over Joshua Clottey on June 13. Throughout that bout it was possible to envision Pacquiao being too quick for Cotto, just as he has been too quick for just about everyone.

Cotto, who at 5-foot-7 is less than an inch taller than Pacquiao, is certainly a more formidable opponent for Manny than Hatton was, and probably will be much harder than De La Hoya for Pacquiao to handle. Cotto’s victims include Shane Mosley.

Don’t forget that Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) lost the first of his three bouts against Erik Morales without losing face. A reasonably close loss to Cotto, which might create a great long-term rivalry, wouldn’t be the end of the world either, and it is very possible. That said, Pacquiao should be favored.

I’ve been sparing my readers the endless speculative hype about this matchup, but there probably will be reason to weigh in frequently during the four-month build-up to the bout. Even with Bay Area mainstays Nonito Donaire, Robert Guerrero and Andre Ward battling for titles in the meantime, Pacquiao-Cotto has become the most important bout on our boxing horizon.

Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao looks to transform into a Rican-cutioner

After devastating Mexico's all-star boxing idols, Manny Pacquiao will look to put a major dent into the boxing pantheon of another one of the sport's major Latin American hotbeds when he measures himself against Puerto Rico's finest Miguel Cotto.

Promotional firm Top Rank made official a bout which has been speculated on and negotiated for the past several weeks.

According to the boxing promotion's Monday afternoon press release, Cotto vs. Pacquiao will take place on Saturday, November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Philstar.com writer Abac Cordeor adds to the developing story by reporting that the bout will be contested at a catch-weight between junior welterweight and welterweight of 145 pounds.

Cotto, a rugged competitor who presses the action, will face his stiffest challenge against an athletic and powerfull Pacquiao, but Manny will in turn be facing his stiffest challenge since moving from lightweight to batter Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao will look to transform from the so-called "Mexi-cutioner" into a "Rican-cutioner" and Cotto will attempt to re-establish the sort of machine-like ring presence that has only faltered against Antonio Margarito and has earned him the name of the "Terminatior".

Cotto will be fighting below the welterweight division limit for the first time since June, 2006 when he battered Paulie Malignaggi over twelve rounds and Pacquiao will face only his second foe at the catch-weight of 145 pounds.

Source: examiner.com

Pacquiao, Cotto to fight at 145 lbs

After having a private conversation via long distance call with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum over the weekend, Manny Pacquiao finally agreed to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at a catch weight of 145 lbs.

Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz said “adjustments were made” in the other provisions in the contract and the fight is green and go for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.

Pacquiao had initially wanted to bring Cotto down to 143 lbs, citing Cotto is a natural welterweight (147-pounder) while he hasn’t really fought at that level even though he beat up Oscar De La Hoya last year.

Against the Golden Boy, Pacquiao only weighed 142 lbs and against Ricky Hatton last May, the 30-year-old pound-for-pound king tipped the scales at 138.

Pacquiao, Koncz and lawyer Franklin Gacal had originally planned to fly to the US to meet up with Arum to settle the issue but Koncz said that wouldn’t be necessary since Pacquiao has agreed to the terms.

“Bob is expected to make an announcement (about the Pacquiao-Cotto fight) within the week,” said Koncz.

Arum is coming off a three-week vacation in Europe.

Pacquiao’s itinerary in the coming days and weeks remains tight owing to his showbiz commitments.

Source: mb.com.ph