At 147 lbs, Cotto stops Pac early. I'm unconvinced of pac's ability to take a shot at the higher weights (mainly because he hasn't been in with anyone who can hit him yet!!!) I think Cotto braves an early and brief storm and takes over from the end of the 1st round onwards, with Roach saving Manny around the 5th round.
147, 140, Pac beats him by TKO. Cotto has a punchers chance, but not much of one considering he has good, but not great power. Aside from which, judging from what his opponents said and watching the man fight, he does not like to be hit, which means it's unlikely, especially with his already leaky defense, that he will bring the fight to Pac, who is much faster. I also do not believe Cotto is more fundamentaly sound as he still throws uppercuts with his arms, and often does not utilize the shoulder roll defense the way it was meant to be used. Cotto also doesn't have the handspeed to effectively counter Pac, and makes too many amateur mistakes, like continuously switching from orthadox to southpaw when retreating, and often looking as if he is in a panic. He also squares up too much against the ropes. Pac was smiling in the audience for a reason. He will beat Cotto, and collect a big paycheck, while simeltaneously garnering interest, both financial and fan based, for his eventual fight with Mayweather. Arum is not stupid.
Pac's going to outspeed him, Judah and Mosleys speed gave him problems, so will Pac's. Pac's going to throw more, hurt him and stop him sooner or later. Cotto coming down in weight isnt going to help either. The only hope for Cotto is to out time Pacquaio and back him up and keep him in place with the jab and hurt him. I don't think he can do it though, especially not at 144. And when it gets past mid-way and Pacquaio is even only on level pegging, he's taking Cotto out late but it can happen early too. In conclusion Pacquaio has everything Cotto doesn't like, Speed of foot and hand, power, workrate BTW anyone considered Marquez hurt Pacquaio at 130 because Pacman was drained? Anyone considered that going up in weight will strengthen his chin/durability?
Pacquaio has a puncher's chance, not Cotto. Lets not forget, Cotto's power is more proven at the weight, although not quite the hitter he was at 140lbs. Pacquaio hasn't knocked out a welterweight yet. De La Hoya was wobbled by his power, thats about it. Pacquaio's power was clearly evident against Hatton but welterweight is another step up. Forget Cotto previously being a jr welterweiight. He struggled down there for a while with the weight and has grown into a natural welterweight.
Of course Arum isn't stupid. Which is why he wouldn't out another one of his top fighters in against Pac for him to get battered and stopped. He probably thinks this is an even fight and either winner will make him a lot of cash. I don't think Miguel is a lamb to the slaughter AT ALL.
You are exactly right. This is win win for Arum. Hes in a nice position. Cotto and Pac are his two top fighters right now.
Pacquaio. I have little to no doubt on that. Pacquaio is an A+ fighter, clearly he best in the world at the moment, in his absolute prime. You can argue that Cotto in the past year or two is a B+ level fighter, A- one. World class, but on the level of plenty of other active fighters. Cotto is coming off a devestating, will crushing loss to Margarito. He just showed against Clottey that a cut can deter him severely. He, as always, fades like where as Pacquaio does not. 140 to 147, Cotto has shown that his chin is very dentable. Also, bodyshots. Pacquaio took absolute killer bodyshots from the precision punching Marquez, the rib breaking (Castillo fight) Hatton may not be a lot of things but he's a world class bodypuncher. Pacquaio put his arms up and goaded Hatton when he was hit with his bodyshots. Pacquaio has absolutely steam rolled his opposition sans Marquez in the past few years where as Cotto's steps up have seen him beaten and or squeakng by. A very serious case can be made that he's not the fighter he used to be. I think Pacquiao's going to stop him, personally. Cotto's greatest tool is his bodypunching here but have you ever sparred with someone with unbelievable speed and movement and tried hitting them with a clean bodyshot? Good luck.
yeh and its really hard. But if you can time them it can really take it out of them later (if your still around) especially with that Wizard roach in the corner. That guy can make a plan to beat any fighter. I'm pretty sure he could make a plan for Manny to beat Wlad and it would work. Im never going against him unless Mayweather Jr is in the other corner
That's the thing, Pacquiao can move all night, his stamina is awesome. Cotto's is not and by the time Pacquiao slows down even a bit to maybe be hittable to the body Cotto's going to be too far gone to do it regardless, if his face isn't tore to shreds by then that is.