I believe that in Cotto, Pac will be facing his toughest challenge yet. I won't be betting on this one as I believe that it's too close to call (and I don't want to lose any money). What I feel sad about though, is that a lot of Pac-haters here still won't give him credit if he wins against Cotto (and that's a very big IF). IF Pac KOs Cotto (especially if it's a blow-out), people here will probably say that Cotto was shot and was not the same after the Margarito fight...and this is another case of brilliant match-making. Worse yet, some would probably even say that Pacquiao cherry-picked another shot fighter. My prediction is Pac wins by 10th round TKO. But Cotto could very well end it early by a well placed combination in the mid rounds. If Pac wins it though, I just think that the people who would still unfairly discredit him and all his wins would not give him credit here. I find it sad that people's biases can blind them so much that they can't appreciate a special fighter when it's in front of them. But if Pacquiao continues to win, history will be the best judge of where his place will be among the greats.
this will be a tough fight, no doubt, but you are right: if pac wins, the haters will say cotto is shot and that he just handpicked margo's leftovers. there are people here that will never be satisfied until he beats the likes of juarez, soto, guzman, and valero. then - and only then - can he be given his due, according to these people.
I'm not totally convinced that Pac is in the upper echelon of JWW and WW's. He should indeed get credit for beating DLH and Hatton, particularlly DLH. Weight drained or not, Pac seemed far superior. If he beats Cotto decisively I don't think anyone has a chance against him. But I doubt that will happen. Funny to see everyone seeing Pac winning now. Cotto has a phenomenal jab. He will use is to negate pac's speed and knock him out in 9 or less.
