This is not a prediction thread. In boxing like most sports bigger, stronger, faster usually wins. Who is Bigger? Cotto right? True but not be enough to make that much of a diffrance. Cotto is 5′ 7″ with a 67″ reach. Pacquiao is 67″ reach. One inch in hight is not going to make a diffrence. Adavantage even. Who is stronger? Once again convintional wisdom points to Cotto. He ha fought his career at 140-147 while Pacquiao started his career at 106 lbs. and has only fought at 135 or higher 3 times. If the fight was at 147 I would give this to Cotto. However the fight is at 145. 145 is the weight that Roach beleves he can get the maxium out of Pacquiao and weeken Cotto. It is easier to gain than it is to lose weight. This is also going to be even. Who is Faster? This one Pacquiao has a clear advantage. Experance? Cotto has 35 fights and 226 rounds. He has been in 15 world tittle fights. Pacquiao has 54 fights and 293 rounds. He has been in 11 world tittle fights (this is a litttle mis leading some of his bigest fights were not world tittle {WBC,WBO,WBA, & IBF} fights). Advantage Pacquiao. He has more fights and rounds, and he has been in more big fights. Better Boxer? With his advantage in speed Pacquiao is the better boxer. I'm not saying that Cotto can't box but I think Pacquiao nis a better boxer than he is. What dose my instinct tell me? Pacquiao should win easly. I don't think he is going to knock him out early like he did Hatton but than again I did not think he would mow Hatton down like he did either. I think the most likly out come is Pacquiao on points winning 8-12 rounds. However a Pacquiao win is far from certan. Cotto has showen that he can adapt such as in his win over Mosley granted he won by a narow margan but he still won. I can see Cotto earning a split decision or close unamous decision. I can also see him winning by 10-12 t/ko while behind on points.
Records and time stats can also be misleading, I do not ever use this kind of stats to analyze a fight. I base it on styles, attributes, capabilities, and ring generalship. I believe heart is a big factor but how can anyone read anyones heart?