Pacquaio's speed and power vs. Cotto's swiss cheese defence

I've been struggling with this for a while. Difficult fight to predict. I was leaning towards it going the distance, but having just watched Cotto-Clottey again and seeing how Cotto's defense is still wide open and he still doesn't know how and when to hold, I think Pacquaio is going to destory him. Clottey is slower, not as powerful or nearly as accurate as Pacquaio, yet landed with ease, Pacquaio's speed and power will be too much.

Now, reverse that scenario, Pacquaio has a better defense, more lateral movement, doesn't take as many on the chin, yet he still may get blasted early by Cotto's power, but the smart money has to be on Pacman via stoppage, somewhere around 5 or 6 I would say.

 

The cut was terrible, but it had suprisingly little bearing on the fight. Which was strange, I admit. The first four rounds, were no different to the next four. In fact, Cotto had his best rounds post-cut.

Also, Cotto's defense has been swiss cheese for a long time. I thought he might have learned a few lessons post-Margo, but obviously not. Cotto is an absolute sucker for uppercuts, he doesn't know when to hold, even when its the only sensible option. He also doesn't bring his hands back quick enough after he's landed, wide open for counters.

He's not going to get away with all these little flaws against a little ****er as quick and power as the Pacman. Cotto's best option is attack attack attack, try and blitz him early and hope Pacman can't cope with legit welterweight power. Otherwise, Cotto is going to get mullered.

 

I think it absolutely is. Cotto's pourus defense vs. Pac's speed and accuracy. Second most significant consideration is Pac's ability to take a legit welter's punch. Cotto's counter punching ability is pretty far down the list for me, given that Pacquaio isn't going to be standing around waiting to be hit, after he himself had landed - doesn't seem like a very likely scenario to me - Pacquio's lateral movement is excellent, and he's going to be in and out, on his toes, for as long as it lasts.

 

Cotto's defense is ****. Watch more boxing.