*Pacquiao vs Cotto...make your pick*

I've got Pacquiao busting Cotto up in a back and forth trade off, but Manny beating him to the punch, being to quick and basically hitting him more then he gets hit. However I can't see Pacquiao blowing him away in the first half of the fight, certainly not like he did Hatton (who fought the dumbest fight i've ever seen) Cotto is a smart fighter with good defence, who doesn't get impatient and reckless.

Something else to factor into the early round equation is Cotto's ability to switch hit. I'm sure you remember Cotto's fight with a southpaw Quintana and how Carlos was doing what Manny does (obviously not to that level) and thats Circle to the right. So Cotto immediately switched his stance and now Carlos was circling into the power hand which eventually exposed the body for a ko. Cotto will not stay conventional.

Having said that, it could backfire on Cotto because the right check hook that put Hatton in deep water leading to the left that put him to sleep...that's a similar type shot that will be used if Cotto does switch to lefty. Why not implement that perfect check hook, similar to Mayweather but thrown from the southpaw stance, almost as a lead vs. Cotto. But it needs to be short and compact because Cotto is a patient stalker unlike Rick.

 

Another thing all of Manny's opponents are a sucker for the right hand faint suffixed with a straight left. See the faint freezes you and then his speed catches you looking. Yes he squares up but he slightly tilt faints then boom comes that laser left hand. Cotto will get cought with that left down the pipe all night.

 

It won't matter in the ultimate outcome of the fight, but it prevents your prediction of a early blow out, yes his defence isn't great, but its decent and he's multi faceted although he doesn't do one thing great, he's a all round fighter.

Btw, I understand Roach is a great chief second and Manny also gets the warm fuzzies with his childhood rags to riches friend, Buboy in the corner as his third. But you didn't give me any x's and o's with what will Manny do once Cotto goes southpaw on him as well. Does Manny continue to circle to the right much like a young southpaw Tarver did going against the grain and still circling left vs. orthodox guys...or does Manny lead right, pivot, then fire in the pocket with limited circling?

We agree on the outcome, just want you to put some meat on the bone.:good

 

I could see Cotto trying to out Manny but also taking allot of damage in the process. I repeat: Any one having daydreams of Miguel walking through Manny's hardest stuff better wake up now. We all remember what happened the last two times Manny was "way too small"...lol. Cotto is not only gonna have to fight smart on offense he's gonna have to tighten up his Defense to. Josh Clottey having you in trouble(for what ever the reason) is not a good look. Firepower is a appropriete title for this fight because Manny is to much of a sharpshooter and has enough firepower for Cotto to deal with.

Is this the fight were we kiss the old Cotto good bye or have us remembering what it was before he lost to plasterFace. Once again, who really knows. One thing is for sure, Manny/Freddie wouldn't be taking this fight unless they were HIGHLY confident they can win. Remember Manny's long term plan is fight Mayweather, make insane money and become a politician. Where does taking an unexpected L against Cotto play in that?