This Saturday night Manny Pacquiao (the greatest fighter to ever grace the squared ring) will meet up with his toughest opponent to date, former champion Miguel Cotto. Turn on ESPN and you will hear the opinions of all of the commentators and so called experts. Convicted Artist Boxing Magazine decided to speak to the real experts in the sport of boxing, the fighters and the fans, to get their take on this fight.
Each person was asked the same question:
This weekend is the latest “fight of the year”, this fight is between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title. Who do you pick to win and why?
Here are the answers
Ishe Smith, middleweight contender and contestant on the original season of “The Contender” - I think that Cotto has the heart and the determination to win, but his last few fights have been very tough, with Clottey and Margarito. He has not had too easy a road. That being said, I’m not sure that Pacquiao is someone you want to fight after you have had those tough fights. I love Miguel Cotto, hell; I think he’s a great fighter. He’s great for boxing and I think he’s a great role model for the sport. Like I said he has the heart and determination of a lion, I just don’t think that will be enough to beat Manny Pacquiao. I think there is only one fighter in the world that can beat Manny Pacquiao, and that’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.I don’t think anyone from 147 down can beat Pacquiao. I just do not see it happening Saturday night either.
Alex Ramos, founder and President of the Retired Boxers Foundation - Well first of all, I’m Puerto Rican and I like Miguel Cotto as a fighter, he’s a great fighter, but I pick Manny Pacquiao to win the fight. Manny Pacquiao, right now, is the hottest fighter on the planet. I believe that there is no stopping Manny Pacquiao, no fighter out there that will stop Manny Pacquiao. I’m sure that everyone can see that and I want people to know that Freddie Roach is doing a tremendous job. Besides Freddie, the guy who is doing the best is Manny Pacquiao himself. He has an incredible team, an incredible training ethic and he is a gifted, gifted fighter. He’s great at what he does and this guy will be around for at least another two good years. You can put anyone in front of him and he is either going to knock them out or beat them all. He’s the best fighter in the sport today! He’s dangerous, he’s a southpaw which makes it very difficult for fighters. I love him to death! I love to watch him fight, he’s beautifully gifted! Myself and the Retired Boxers Foundation Executive Director Jacquie Richardson pick Manny Pacquiao to win this fight.
Benny Henderson, Editor in Chief for Convicted Artist Boxing Magazine - Well, I’m kind of torn in this fight because I really like both fighters. You know that Pacquiao is a great fighter and you look at the punches that Cotto took in his last fight with Joshua Clottey, one of which caused a cut over his eye. Honestly though, I’m going to put my money on Miguel Cotto. I know you are going to disagree with me, but he only has one loss on his record, and that was from a loaded glove. People can say, besides the loaded glove, Cotto was outclassed by Antonio Margarito in that fight, but when you are continually getting hit by cement (laughs), you probably will not be thinking right after a bit. I think that Miguel Cotto will pull it off, although it will be a close fight. We both know that Miguel Cotto is quick, he is bigger and stronger than Pacquiao in my opinion and I think he can overpower Manny Pacquiao.
Lil Big Dog, Benny’s son - Pacquiao, that’s all, just Pacquiao.
Butch, Fightin’ Words Radio Show co-host - I have to pick Manny Pacquiao. He is set for this fight. His level of confidence and fighting style is far superior to Miguel Cotto. I’m not saying he is a superior fighter to Cotto, just that his preparation training seems more directed. Oh, and he sings well.
Danny Batchelder, current heavyweight contender - I’m picking Pacquiao. I’m picking him for his speed. I think the speed difference is going to help him a lot and I feel Cotto will be a little too slow to catch up to him. Pacquiao will be too busy for Cotto, he will swarm Cotto and he will not know how to deal with that problem. I pick Pacquiao by unanimous decision in this fight.
John Bray, former heavyweight contender, current fight trainer of fighters like Miguel Espino and The Contender television series - You know what, I really can’t pick a winner in this fight. You have two solid, solid fighters. Manny Pacquiao has become a “Super Manny”, he is just dominating everyone they put in front of him, and he has the legendary Freddie Roach behind him driving the vehicle. On the other hand, you have Miguel Cotto who is a much bigger, stronger guy, maybe more technically sound and more in the tank than Manny’s last few opponents. If anyone can pull of a win over Pacquiao, it would be a guy like Miguel Cotto. It’s a tough one that could go either way in my opinion. Pacquiao is very fast and very explosive and can punch, but he has the tendency to be reckless. I believe that Miguel Cotto can capitalize on that problem as he is a very technically sound fighter. He is a guy who has a lot of experience, a big amateur background, very successful professional career and I think it is going to be a very exciting, entertaining fight.
Lamon Brewster, former WBO heavyweight champion and current heavyweight contender - Well, you know, I have to say this is a hard one to pick. I came up in Freddie Roach’s gym with Pacquiao. I’ve also seen Miguel Cotto workout and looked him in the eyes. He has the same look in his eyes that Marvin Hagler had, he fights with the same passion as Hagler, and he is not the type of guy to underestimate a man. Then, looking at the 24/7 shows, with Pacquiao getting all of the attention, I’m sure it is motivating him to train harder, but I don’t know if it takes away from his psyche. I know that Cotto feels he is underestimated, he feels he has a whole lot more to prove and I think that people had wrote him off for whatever reason. The only loss he has is to Margarito if I’m not mistaken, and that was controversial because they found the plaster in Margarito’s gloves before a fight. You know styles make fights. This is the type of fight that I wish I could give a clear judgment and say I know who is going to win, but I really don’t know. This is one of the few fights in my lifetime where I have seen, where I admire both of the guys stepping into the ring. They both have heart and I have studied both of them very much, especially as a fighter, an artist and a lover of boxing. This is one of those fights that is a ‘you pick-em’ type of fight. These guys are going to be out for blood and Manny Pacquiao is fighting with the sensation that he is a superstar, Cotto is fighting with the mentality that “I am the underdog”, but he is a true champion and has the heart of a lion and will be coming into the ring with a “I’m going to prove the world wrong” mentality. So Bob, this is going to be one of the best fights people have seen in a long time. It’s going to be a technical fight because they are both southpaws, and I think that when you get to the fifth or sixth round, the chess match will turn into an out and out war. I think we are going to really see what these guys are made of and I think that it will be a fight for the records. I think it will be a fight that true boxing fans will say was the best fight they have ever seen.
Jon Crane, longtime Fightin’ Words Radio Show listener and lifetime boxing fan - I’m going to go with Manny Pacquiao. One thing I think, with Pacman’s feet and hand speed, Cotto will not be able to counter. I also think that Pacquiao’s punches pack a lot more power than they look like they do. If Pacquiao connects with a left, I don’t think Cotto has a chance.
Brett Dietz, Tampa Bay Storm QB, former Arena Football League rookie of the year and owner of the Carroll Football League’s Pacquiao’s Punishers - I pick Manny Pacquiao because in my opinion, he’s the best pound for pound fighter in the world and I just do not foresee him losing. He’s really in stride right now and he’s peaking at the right time.
Jaidon Codrington, super middleweight contender and “The Contender Season three” finalist- I think I have to pick Manny Pacquiao to win and this is why, Miguel Cotto is sort of methodical. He moves like a fighter, you know where his punches are coming from, it more or less one step forward, one step to the side and one step back. He has good head movement, but he doesn’t do anything more than box. Unlike Pacquiao who, I tell people all the time, he is a hard fight for anyone. When you have a guy in front of you that does not know what he is going to do next, you really don’t know what to do, because he doesn’t know what he will do next. He is so fast and has the best legs in the sport as far as I’m concerned and he packed a punch coming way up in weight. He created a new monster coming up in weight. I really believe that Manny Pacquiao will do it, although it is one of those intriguing fights where anything can happen. One thing is for sure, I don’t think it will go to a decision. I believe if it is a late round stoppage, Cotto is favored to win, if it is an earlier stoppage, Manny Pacquiao is favored to win. But overall, like I said, I’ll go with Manny Pacquiao.
Edner Cherry, former NABF lightweight champion and current lightweight contender - This fight will be a good fight. At first I was going with Cotto because I felt that Cotto’s power could be the difference. I felt that if Cotto lands, he will knock Pacquiao out. But then I looked at the fight again and saw that Pacquiao is fast and has a lot of power himself. He will be too fast for Cotto and give him fits. Right now Cotto is easy to cut. He has not been the same fighter since he fought Margarito. So after re-thinking it, I have to go with Manny Pacquiao. I think Pacquiao will pull it out.
Ryan Songalia, boxing writer and publicist - This is a tough question because one difference can make the outcome. Whoever comes in to the fight in better shape wins. If you watch the 24/7 for this fight you can see that Pacquiao’s camp had some problems, where Cotto’s camp seems to have gone perfectly, so you have to go with Miguel Cotto on who has the best preparation. That said, I lkike Manny Pacquiao and you can’t bet against the streak he is on now. Pacquiao is always up to his neck in tumult and whatever comes along in pre-fight stress, but he seems to thrive in that environment. Cotto, I have to give him a lot of respect because of his size. Cotto is definitely the bigger, stronger fighter. If Cotto gets the fight that he wants, which is in close, then he will win. If the speed difference is in the feet and Pacquiao is able to get in and out like he did against De La Hoya, then Pacquiao wins. One thing I have to say, when it comes to being in trouble and distress, I have to give Cotto that because he has been cut, hurt and he’s come back to win fights. You saw in the last fight against Clottey, he suffered a terrible cut and was still able to adjust and box his way around Clottey. I don’t think that Pacquiao can do that, we saw that in the first fight with Morales. He got cut very badly and it essentially too him out of the fight. I’m still going to ride with Pacquiao on this one, but it is a 51-49% fight for me.
John ”The Iceman” Scully, former middleweight champion and current boxing trainer of NABO cruiserweight champion Matt Godfrey, undefeated featherweight Matt Remillard and former IBO 122lb champion Mike Oliver - I am definitely leaning towards Pacman to come through. I think he is a smarter fighter, I think Freddy is a very good strategist and, mostly, I think that Pacman uses his lack of size very well against the bigger guys. What I mean is, and most fighters will tell you this, it is much harder to deal with a smaller but very fast and energetic fighter than it is a bigger and slower one. I think most middleweights would rather spar with a good light heavyweight than a really fast and quick welterweight. I have the feeling that Pac will use his legs and angles and speed and his ability to strike suddenly and get away from danger in a way that will really frustrate Miguel. I also suspect that Cotto will find Pacman's power somewhat of a surprise. I'll go with Manny by clean decision or even a mid rounds stoppage.
Yusaf Mack, NABA light heavyweight champion - I feel Cotto is the much stronger fighter and will win by TKO in the eighth round.
Toni Anne Pasquale, Convicted Artist Magazine, boxing section fan - Miguel Cotto, because I think he's more focused and he want to prove that he has moved past the Antonio Margarito fight.
Trevor J. Carroll, 7 years old, youngest Fightin’ Words Radio Show fan - I am picking Manny Pacquiao because I think he is a better fighter than Miguel Cotto. Floyd Mayweather also picked Pacquiao and I agree with him on the fight. Pacquiao will win by decision.
Jackie Kallen, boxing manager for Mike Dallas and longtime manager for James Toney, also the inspiration for the movie “Against the Ropes” - Well, you know what; I’m going to go out on a limb and say Miguel Cotto. Everyone says I am insane and I’m probably just dreaming a little here. Because it seems so obvious that Pacquiao is going to win because he is such a favorite, I’m going with the underdog in Cotto. I love going with the underdog and I’ve said this before, I picked David Haye last weekend and thought he would pull it off (Haye UD12 Valuev). I’m just going to go out on a limb and say that Cotto is going to get lucky! Either way I just hope that fans get their moneys worth, because that is what boxing needs right now, a good, good fight.
As far as my take, I truly believe that Manny Pacquiao will outclass Miguel Cotto and win either a late round KO or a unanimous decision by the score of 116-112. I know what a shock that I would pick the man who I refer to as “The greatest fighter to grace the squared ring” and who has made my radio show, Fightin’ Words EVERY show since we started over three years ago. 123 shows and Manny has been mentioned in each one. End Quote
As for the total tally, this panel votes Pacquiao to defeat Cotto by a 12-4 score (I did not include mine), with two abstaining. One thing for sure, this will be one hell of a fight on Saturday night. I want to thank my panel for coming to together and helping me with this article.
Bob Carroll
www.convictedartist.com
