Only One Can Stop Pacquiao and It’s Not Cotto

By Boxing News - 09/07/2009 - Comments

cotto4523545By Amar J Khan: I have been reading so many articles on how Miguel Cotto is going to destroy Manny Pacquiao, the number one ranked pound for pound king. What people seem to make referencing to is the heart and spirit of Cotto. Sorry, but that alone won’t win the fight and I don’t see Cotto winning this fight at all.

Cotto for me is a poorer version of Ricky Hatton. Whilst I admire his heart, Cotto just will not have the skill, pace and power to beat Pacquiao. Cotto at his best, lets say against Paul Malignaggi, who Cotto defeated via decision, won the fight by only 3-4 points on scorecards.

Honestly, how is Cotto going to defeat Pacquiao when Ricky Hatton, who absolutely destroyed Paul Malignaggi in a one sided fight, could not? I know Hatton messed up by not following the plan of his coach. And for what it is worth, I actually do think Hatton would of won had he followed the plan of his coach, but that is a story for another day.

My prediction is the in and out movement of Pacman will be the deciding factor. Manny is devastating coming and launching quick and accurate punches with power and then moving out of harms way. If Cotto tries to fight with Pacquiao, I think we will see another Hatton job done on Cotto.

Cotto won’t win this fight on points as the speed of Pacquiao will give him the edge over that department, so what will defeat Pacman? The answer is pure boxing skills, something Marquez used very effectively against Manny. Had it not been for that early knock down since Marquez starts off cold, Pacman would have lost that fight.

I see the early part of the fight being key. If Cotto opens up and tries to fight head on with Pacquiao, I really do see Pacman knocking him out. If Cotto remains defensively sound, I think Pacman will win around the 11th round by knockout when Cotto becomes desperate as he will be behind on the scorecard.

After reading this you all are probably thinking I am biased towards Pacman. Well I am not. I think Mayweather, when or if he fights Pacquiao, will win the fight comfortably. Mayweather has everything Marquez has but adds more with his sound defence, movement and speed.

Just to end, I really do like Cotto and I am not having a dig at all those people praying Cotto wins, but seriously what are you lot thinking? Just look at Cotto’s previous fights. Even Hatton would beat him. Oh, and something for the Hatton fans. Hatton has been seen training in his gym. However, he refused to give me an interview after finishing.



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