Breaking Down Cotto vs. Pacquiao: And the Winner Is…
August 28th, 2009
By David Berry: Less than three months separate salivating fight fans from the November 14 catch weight showdown in Las Vegas between WBO Welterweight Champion, Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), and pound-for-pound kingpin, Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs). At stake is Cotto’s WBO Welterweight Belt, along with the newly-minted WBC Diamond Belt, though most fans know there’s plenty more at stake than title straps.
And while Internet chat rooms are abuzz with passionate support for both combatants, who will really have the edge on November 14? The theories are numerous, but the old adage still rings true: Styles make fights. It’s one of the reasons Kelly Pavlik was able to vanquish Jermain Taylor on two occasions, and why Bernard Hopkins was able to completely outclass Pavlik in a separate bout, despite the fact that Taylor had beaten Hopkins twice himself. Whose style suits them best in this fight?
The vast majority of analysts seem to agree that Pacquiao’s speed and footwork have the potential to give Cotto fits, and conversely, that Cotto’s power and potent body attack embody threats that Pacquiao has likely never faced in his long and illustrious career. However, both fighters have proven in the past that they have the tools necessary to adapt to their opponent’s attack. Cotto managed to neutralize the speed and footwork of Zab Judah in 2006 and Shane Mosley in 2007, and Pacquiao quickly put to bed any concerns over his apparent size and strength disadvantages in his dismantling of Oscar de La Hoya and Ricky Hatton earlier this year.
Leading up to Pacquiao’s last two fights, critics argued that his opponents possessed physical characteristics that would spell his doom. Both times they were proven wrong. However, assuming a normal rehydration between the weigh-in and fight night for Cotto, its safe to say that Cotto will represent the biggest obstacle that Pacquiao has ever met in his career, both literally and figuratively. Will this finally be the fight where Pacquiao meets his match in someone who’s simply too big for him?
Or will this be a fight that turns out exactly as odds-makers are predicting? The early 2-1 odds in favor of Pacquiao spell the belief that Cotto won’t be able to keep up with a fighter with the speed, pop, and footwork that Pacquiao possesses.
Critics can argue advantages and disadvantages until they’re blue in the face, but one point that everyone should agree on is that this fight was named “Firepower” for a reason. For as long as this fight lasts, fans can expect high-paced action from bell-to-bell. Cotto and Pacquiao have built fan-friendly reputations because of their penchant for delivering and absorbing punishment, not because they were content to Compu-box their way to a points victory. And despite your allegiances, fight fans from every corner should be thrilled that this bout has come to fruition.
What does the future hold? Over the next three months, how the boxing landscape will be painted is anybody’s guess. Will we see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather in 2010? Cotto vs. Marquez? Or some other variation among the four fighters? Time will tell. Let the countdown begin.
Tags: 36 Responses to “Breaking Down Cotto vs. Pacquiao: And the Winner Is…”
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I say pacquiao will win by a knockout, because as you can see, half an inch difference in height, they have the same in arm length, yet cotto’s weight down to 145 (much less power),cotto is slow, while pacquiao is much,much more agile,quicker,can move and punch from different angles, and can’t be cornered, he will fight cotto in the middle of the ring, remember, they have the same reach in arms length, and pacquiao is a natural lefty, cotto is a lefty yet he fight as a righty,which he will lose his balance like what happened to Hatton,Hoya,Marquez,most of the righties, remember, cotto is SLOW, pacquiao is QUICKER,FASTER,and will fight in the middle of the ring,not in a corner,remember,cotto’s weight down to 145(loss of power),pacquiao is steady 145 and fight night comes, cotto’s weight will balloon to 153-156 (slow,heavy),pacquia will be 145-147(much-much quicker,faster with a k/o punch. Pacquiao will be hard to hit, mark my word fellas, also some of you fellas, clean up your language, it stinks. Thank you very much.
Cotto has the power but his last fight he look war worn and not the same fighter before Margarito. However, he still has the KO juice.
I still think that Pacquio is going out on a limb for this fight. He is the smaller figter and has the mytical P4P title to lose not just a belt.
But this is what makes him so enjoyable. Go for the hard fight win or lose I will be entertained. Not like the Mayweather fight which was a waste of time and money.
Nice Article David, keep up this up. Non bias and neutral. Let’s hope for the best for the upcoming fight. PAc vs Cotto
cotto will be shock of pacquiao
Lee i don’t what’s fights you have watched lately!! but anyway this fight will be the biggest for both fighters, while Pacman does have overwhelming speed Cotto does pac(no pun intended) a very powerful punch!!! i’m predicting fight of da decade!!
I am no expert, but I know what I have seen, which is Manny taking some awful beatings, and then coming back when his opponent is too tired to be effective, and claiming victory. Cotto may have the “power”, but Manny has proven he can take a hit, is patient, and a very intelligent fighter who never loses his cool.
I appreciate all of the love! And yes, I agree that Manuel Perez should not be writing about boxing, except in his own journal.
Look for more stuff from me soon, and check out my Web site at http://www.iamdavidberry.com. Look me up on Facebook, too!
Lee what drugs are you taking???
Pacman would end Khan’s career & fragile chin forever.
look man!!! cotto is so focused for this fight!he was already ahead of his training and come nov. 14th he’ll be in the best shape of his life and put pacman 2 sleep!!!.
Manny is a great fighter but he should concentrate boxing where he became great not in politics or showbiz where people don’t like him to be with. I’m just concern about this fight with Cotto coz i saw all his fights in youtube and i know he has the power to k.o. pacman specially if pac will get careless.
Right on reptile.Why knowledgeable boxing fans don’t see this i don’t know.Roach and Manny chose Cotto for a reason.After this fight everyone will really be on Manny’s bandwagon,only to see him really get exposed again by PBF.Marquez already has exposed him.
I’m amazed that so many people see this as a tough fight to call.
No fighter has ever sustained a beating a beating like Cotto took against Margarito and been the same. When the heat is on they fold. Cotto looked like he wanted to quit in the 9th round against Clottey, who, had he toned the intensity up a notch, would have stopped him. This fight is only happening because Roach knows Shane Mosley is way too dangerous (he battered Margarito) and Cotto is now damaged goods.
Please note I take no pleasure in saying these things. I’ve always liked Cotto and at his best he was a beautiful fighter to watch. But his best is now just a memory. Pacman will win, probably inside the distance. This is no big deal of course because Margarito has already shown this can be done.
If Pacman wants to show how great he is, let him show it by beating a top fighter who isn’t either weight weakened or has a recent stoppage defeat on his record. Shane Mosley at 147 fits the bill just fine. But don’t hold your breath fight fans!
Yours in sport, Reptile.
I like Pacquaio to win but it’s really interesting and tough to see that since Cotto is so much stronger and with sound boxing skills to compliment. Both have good chins and great heart…That is why this is a can’t miss PPV event!!!! Cant wait! The world awaits….
It would be intereresting to see if pacman could deal with amir khans blinding speed and power after he has trashed cotto.. tho i am quite sure manny would duck him like hatton has done. Amir has to be ranked as one of the best in the world now.
I love this article. It surprise me why the management of this boxing news still allowed Mr. Perez to write a rubbish article which will destroy the boxing sport.Instead of making this sport great Mr. Perez is destroying it by writing an article which the reader consider it as rubbish.Hoping that the management will notice all the article being written by Mr. Manuel Perez and stop him of doing this rubbish article.
VERY NICE ARTICLE.
the writer has good points. now this is good writing.
im a pacquiao fan. but i think cotto is really good. and its gonna be war. two great fighters in their best condition. pacquiao going up a little bit to 145.lbs. and cotto going down only 1 lb to 145.lbs(remember he was at 146 in the clottey fight).
its a good match!!!! good luck to both fighters.
pacman down in the 6th round by b ody pounch
to all those people who are going for pacman to win. Please dont bet pacman lose 6th round body shot
i agree and i agree with ukansodoff tho not entirely i think p4p king should be decided of the other matchup between mayweather and marquez
Pacquiao will blow Cotto out before end of the fourth.
Absolutely agreed on all points David. Finally a write that makes sense. Both fighters are in excellent condition, in their prime and exciting. These athletes will definitely give the fans a great show and well worth their money. I see it 50-50, but I’d hate to see judges decide the outcome.
This article is well written. Great job David.
Well balanced article.
For Cotto, winning is one nation’s pride. While Pacquiaos triumpth is the world’s excitement.
Come November 14, Puerto Rico’s ‘Hurricane’ will collide with the Philippine’s ‘Tropical Storm’!
I love this article very well said and balance.
Cotto hits like a beast but not that fast compared to Pacquiao. And Pacquiao on the other hand doesn’t have the power like Cotto but has the speed advantage. Win or lose, I’ll go for Manny.
And again..Perez suck.
Cotto is a shot fighter, he stands away and has a hard time taking punches now. He will not be aggressive enough to be pac man. He will stand away and pac man will catch him.
So much better than Manuel’s articles. So well thought out and very fair on both sides strengths and weaknesses. The question is why is Manuel still writing for this website. The editor can put a stop on this one.
I believe Cotto is a fantastic fighter and i really felt for him after the beating he took from Margarito but i dont think he’s got what it takes to beat Pacquiao. pacquiao to win in the 6th round and to dominate each round with speed and precsision
Nice points.
Cotto has the will to win, while Pacquiao never think of losing…
I can’t wait to see this fight to happen…
Lets begin by saying the boxing fans cant wait for the biggest fight of the year come Nov.14.Manny is being give tooo much credit in saying how he handle Oscar who was not in his PRIME and was totally dehydrated when they fought.Ricky Hatton was over rated and damaged goods especially after Floyd did him in.Now lets talk about Miguel Cotto yes,he has 1 questionable blemish on him 2 he has been in tough fights,Judah,Mosley,Collotey,all except Mosley where he has suffured cuts that would make any other fighter quit.Miguel is not only in his PRIME but has gotten past his lost “again questionable”would people be giving Manny the same chance against Cotto if Cotto was undeafeted?I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT.
i picked pacman 2 win via tko,cotto is too slow 4 manny,he is the stronger but if u cant hit ur target its useless,manny will hit him in any angles,i seen a bloody face of cotto on nov 14.
cotto will win by ko manny is overrated who has he beat in his prime errr no one decent cotto ko in round 5
nice article not like that biased perez
Very good points. I love the hype surrounding big fights such as this. Hopefully November 14th is a celebration of the best boxing has to offer.
Yeah good article. And good question.
Im favouring Cotto but theres really good arguments on both sides, Pacman will run rings round Cotto but Cotto does have the power advantage.
I still claim Hatton had the power to stop Pacquiao but he never got the chance, Cotto wont go as easily and no fighter no matter how good at this level goes through a fight not getting hit with something interesting.
But then the other thing ive gotta chuck in is how well Pacman grows into these ever inreasing weights, he doesnt just fatten up a little to make these weights, each time he grows he looks like thats his natural fighting weight. Can he really keep getting bigger without losing some of his talents?
I dont agree with the P4P title being on the line, i think Cotto has shown enough limitations to not call him a P4P king. That should remain with Pacman win or lose.
David Berry is right on this article. Very good accessment & non-bias. So we will wait & enjoy the fight on the outcome in Nov 14.