Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao meets Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand this Saturday night. Pacquiao will be looking to claim yet another title as Cotto's WBO welterweight belt (147 lbs) will be on the line. In addition, the fight will most likely determine who will meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. for what would be the biggest fight possible in the sport today.
Pacquiao has risen steadily through the weight divisions, claiming titles along the way. His retiring of Oscar De La Hoya placed him on the mainstream sport stage, although his classic battles with Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez had made him a favorite among boxing fans much earlier. His explosive speed, lethal left hand, and style of controlled fury have made him a dangerous fighter to his opponents and occasionally himself. Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, Pacquiao has blossomed into an all around fighter with power in both hands and uncanny ring control. He has coupled this with a disciplined approach to this training and a series of precision gameplans.
Cotto is one of the deep welterweight division's top fighters and one of the pound for pound best. His controversial loss to Antonio Margarito at the end of possibly loaded gloves was thought to have taken his warrior spirit. He has followed this setback with a series of tattoos while claiming the WBO belt from Michael Jennings. Cotto's methodical style has caused some to label him as a boxing robot. His powerful left hook and vicious body attack have proven too much for most opponents.
Pac Man followed his win against De La Hoya with an annihilation of Ricky Hatton. His pin point accurate punches and superior hand speed overmatched Hatton from the opening bell. His second round knockout was an all time classic.
Cotto defended his belt against Joshua Clottey in his last outing. Cotto suffered a severe cut over his left eye due to a clash of heads from the third round on. His resiliency in fighting through this disadvantage did much to quiet questions of his resolve. Cotto's use of distance and the jab allowed him to eke out a split decision.
Pacquiao's decisive victories and seeming mastery of the sport at the hands of Roach have allowed him to attain the P4P crown. He is the favorite Saturday as most think his speed will be able to eventually conquer Cotto's brawn.
Despite his welterweight fight with De La Hoya, Pacquiao has never fought a natural 147-pounder. The fight is set at 145 pounds in an effort by his camp to bring Cotto down. That being said, Cotto will most likely still pack more power than Pacquiao has faced. Some observers believe that Cotto is being underestimated and that his punches, particularly to the body, will wear down the naturally smaller Pac Man. If he is able us his strength to inflict damage on Pacquiao and land his jab consistently, he could overwhelm him.
Despite a friend`s comparison of Manny's pre-fight movie career chronicled on HBO`s excellent 24/7 to Rocky III, I do not see Cotto playing Clubber Lang to Pacquiao`s Balboa. Pac Man has been consistently prepared and focused for his recent outings, and I believe his camp is taking the threat of Cotto seriously.
I predict that Pacquiao's speed will allow him utilize both hands to jump in and score points while avoiding too much punishment from Cotto.
Pacquiao by decision or late round stoppage.
Here are the latest odds
Manny Pacquiao
Nickname: Pac Man
Record: 49-3-2
Height: 5 ft 6.5 in
Reach: 67 in
Here is his last fight with Ricky Hatton
Highlights: Pacquiao/Hatton - The top video clips of the week are here
Miguel Cotto
Nickname: Junito
Record: 34-1
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Reach: 67 in
Here is his last fight with Joshua Clottey
