"All signs point to Cotto!"

November 2009

miguel_cotto_vs_pacman This Saturday night, Live on Pay-Per-View, Boxing fans are in for a very special treat as they watch Miguel Cotto square off against Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao in a contest at a catch-weight of 145 pounds for Miguel Cotto's WBO portion of the Welterweight Title. The reason that this fight is a treat is because we will get to see the consensus pound-for-pound best fighter in Manny Pacquiao facing the current best and arguably most dangerous Welterweight in the division in Miguel Angel Cotto. (I won't call Floyd Mayweather Jr. the best welterweight until he actually fights a Welterweight.) This fight has fireworks written all over it...While it lasts...

Raise your hand if you know Pac and Cotto's last 5 opponents. I ask because many
who I talk to only know that "Pac beat Oscar and that British dude."

My list looks like this:
Pac last 5:
Oscar... Read More
Hatton
Diaz
Marquez
Barrera

Cotto:
Clottey
Jennings
Margacheato
Gomez
Mosley

With that, none of Pacmans last 5 would beat Cotto, but 3 of Cotto's last 5 would spark Pacman inside 6. Clottey, Mosely and Cheatorito would have butchered Oscar, Hatton or Diaz on the nights Manny fought them. In the worst way, as in being helped up off the canvas.It took Margacheato 11 rounds to get Cotto to take a seat, and there is a big question as to whether or not his wraps were loaded up that night. If Miguel can eat plaster for 5 rounds, Pac won't bother him.

Besides, Cotto has already beaten a bigger, faster (at welter) and stronger southpaw in Judah who looked superb in their fight. Cotto got bloody but he still whipped Zab badly.

Pac can't fight on his back foot, Cotto has Ko'ed people off of his. Pac loves to keep his hands high. Cotto loves to bang away at the body which is where Pac was punched when he was KO'ed (counted out) twice. I'm trying to remember when Miguel ever got counted out. Cotto will probably have Pac against the ropes most of this fight. And then, as King Arthur would say: Boom.

The most telling thing for me is the fact that Roach had to practically drag Manny into training, had not yet devised a gameplan for Cotto, and now for the clincher:

They have looked past Cotto altogether. Right now team Manny has a date with Floyd penciled in for March.

A lot of folks are sleeping on Cotto because they don't know much about him. This is why Miguel will KO Manny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATlGT0c8i4M

Now, that we know what Miguel will be throwing a lot of, lets take a look at how
a Flyweight Manny Pacquiao takes a body shot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHxHNC0ntUg&feature=related

Now Singsurat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sETbYUK96o&feature=related

I think anyone can agree that Cotto hits smarter and harder than either of the
above, not to mention that he is a full sized Welterweight.

Cotto KO 6.

By Garth Weaver

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Bob Carroll - re:

Good article either way Garth. Being a huge Pacquiao "mark", I had predicted either a UD or late round stoppage, but never expected the one sided fight I witnessed.

Keep up the good work and again, thank you for your service to the country.

Bob

Garth wrote:

So sorry for such a short pick- I have too many afterthoughts for this fight. F**k the "what if's" I just needed to make a pick. And watch.

If I am wrong, I'll eat the crow cold!

Besides...The Tyson piece is my work right now....:ninja:

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Garth - Wrong

Pac is the real deal. No bones about it.

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sulamo - don't forget...

also, don't forget pacman with his comeback domination of el terrible erik morales, who while on the end of his career, was still a very sound champion.

and it is a scientific fact that pacmans abdominal muscles are now classified as type III body armor ;)

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sulamo - evolution of a fighter

everyone is entitled to a choice. personally i love this fight because both fighters are prime, capable and have a great chance at winning. i don't agree that cotto has all the good signs though, especially due to the fact that:
- he is working with a new corner for the first time; with a green trainer no less.
- he will be meeting pac at weight that levels the power balance
- does not posses the hand or foot speed of pac

while cotto is a relentless force, and methodically wears down his opponents; pacman is an explosive two handed fighter, who can push a frenetic pace and in no way resembles his old self. he has evolved so much as a fighter and maintained his "fire". both have an excellent shot at winning, that is why this is so exciting.

Speed kills. Pacman

Garth wrote:

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