Pacquiao-Cotto: What boxing should be
November 2nd, 2009
By Glen Anglin: As the big night approaches, I am becoming more and more excited and less and less sure of the outcome. This fight is what is missing all too often in boxing: a clash of two well matched, excellent ring warriors both of whom come to fight and take pride in their performance.
Cotto has progressed steadily and racked up a good list of wins in his career. Built stockily and possessing natural looking power and strength, he has worn down many an opponent with persistent, damaging punching. Not a one-punch knockout artist so much as an irresistible ring force; a relentless, square-bodied, beat down machine who can sink a left hook to the body 6 inches deep. He scored a decision win over Shane Mosley, so far his most sparkling ring achievement. However, he has struggled in recent fights, first against the criminal Margarito and then against Joshua Clottey.
There is a common school of thought that says Cotto is damaged goods as a result of the Margarito fight. In that fight Cotto won most of the early rounds, but then seemed to fade and finally collapsed under the Margarito assault. At the end of that fight, he was a beaten, exhausted fighter. However, the entire episode is suspect, as Margarito’s hand wraps were found to have been treated with a hardening agent.
Despite this loss, I think Cotto has retained his fighting spirit and ability. He showed resilience and toughness in the Clottey fight by surviving a very bad cut and staying in the fight to win a close decision. I think he will come into the ring on November 14th in shape and ready for war.
Manny Pacquiao’s ring accomplishments are not only dazzling, they are almost unprecented. He has won titles or big fights against top competition in weight classes that spread over 30 pounds. Very few fighters in history have ever done anything like that. He has steadily improved during the last 10 years, adding a flashing right hook to his arsenal along with better upper body and foot movement. He has somehow packed onto his frame about 40 pounds of solid muscle (he actually started boxing at 106 pounds), and yet he has not lost speed or power as he moved up. The 7 or 8 knockdowns he scored (and a couple more that were not counted) against Barrera, Morales and Marquez are by themselves a hall of fame accomplishment. And how many times did they knock him down? Zero, that’s how many. (The knockdown of Pacquiao in the first Barrera fight was called incorrectly). I know he did not win all of those contests, but consider that those knockdowns came after he gradually came up in weight a full 15 pounds to fight the great Mexican trio.
Next, he climbed five more pounds to lightweight and easily beat up David Diaz for a title belt. And then came the surreal, how-can-this-be-happening defeats of ODLH and Hatton at……are you ready…. 140+ pounds. I realize that there are mitigating circumstances of the condition of those last two when they fought Manny. But the fact that impresses me most about those two wins is not that he defeated them, but HOW he defeated them. ODLH could barely even TOUCH Manny. He may have landed 5 good punches in the entire fight compared to the crate of whoop___ that was dumped on his head. As for Hatton, he was hurt several times by right hooks before the final, horrifying left cross that put him to sleep for 5 minutes; and he too, barely landed a good punch. Hatton was unconscious for almost as long as the entire fight. Both men were completely dominated, as was Diaz. These matches taught me to never bet against Pacquiao, no matter who he is facing. Until Pacquiao challenges for the cruiserweight title, you will not see me betting against him.
Pacquiao’s accomplishments to now already put him near the very top of all boxers below welterweight in history. He really has been that good.
Since I am sure that Pacquiao will be able to land effectively on Cotto, I think the deciding factor in this fight will be whether or not Cotto is able to connect consistently on Pacquiao with his power punches. If Cotto can do this, he stands a good chance to win, no matter what he receives in return from Pacquiao because he will be able to punish Pacquiao enough to win a decision or force a stoppage. However, if he keeps hitting air instead of Pacauiao, then he will be in for a long, demoralizing, splitting-headache of a night as Pacquiao will machine gun him to smithereens with his absurdly fast combinations. Cotto must land a high percentage of his power shots to win this fight.
I think that this is a pick-em fight, with neither man the obvious favorite. But if was forced to pick, I would pick Cotto. Here’s why:
There must come a point at which Manny has moved up too high. And I believe he may have reached that point now with Cotto. Cotto is a top quality, full-sized welterweight. He has the size and tools to finally stop the Pacquiao ascension. Will he do it? I can’t wait to see. JGA
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this fight reminds me of hagler vs leonard.as for many, people thought, hagler would come the victor but leonard just do what he does best, box.he won a controversal split decission. a trickier fight, again hagler vs john ‘the beast’ mugabi. like pacquio, hes a knock out puncher. hagler knockout mugabi in later rounds.hagler had been in his weight division in most of his boxing era like, cotto.hagler like cotto and leonard like pacquiao. who will win?
well said my friend
On the fight night Cotto probably is gone be at 158 – 162 lb.
I can’t see Pacman with more that 150. This weight advantage is one of the biggest obstacles that Manny have to deal with.
Do Pacman add more weight than Marques to boast his stamina over Marquez. With Pacman Long reach advantage and adding extra weight, does this give Pacman advantages. Why? Do Pacman put so much weight than the other fighter on the night of the fight. The night of the fight Hatton vs Pacman their weight are not posted . Do Pacman is more heavier than Hatton that night, If he was I guest Roach discovered a technique to gain advantage with the other fighters with-out using steroids, by gaining more weight than your opponent and retaining speed = more fire power. In Pacquiao vs Cotto as u have examine, Cotto has all the advantage, one reason Roach are worried, except the fight of that night we will see if Pacman has a weight advantage again.
How did Pacman gain so much weight in Pacman vs Marquez fight in a matter of very short day. It could boost your stamina with- out using steroids but it is also dangerous to Human health .
In boxing rule once a fighter win the title, he has nine months to defend this title, but Roach know by defending a title or unifying it, will not make you great. Instead of defending it, and the possibility that Pacman will lose, so he jump to a higher weight by carefully picking the right opponent considering height, reach and adding more weight to Pacman that will boost his fighter stamina for high percentage of winning . Roach goal is to make his fighter achieve six belt in different division ,and know that he’s fighter achieve his goal, he want to be in history and this is he’s final masterpiece to achieve a seven belt in different division, that will shoot him to stardom. Now Roach are doing everything to have a better advantage with Cotto. After Pacman win , he’s ready to retired and he has so many excuse to do so. First he could declare I have nothing to prove, Second I will run for government office. This is a quick and unique way to be a great man with-out loosing Pacman and Roach credibility, it’s like stealing candy to a little kids.
Phucquiao:
“Cotto is not as skilled a boxer as JMM, Morales, or Barera…”
This in an example of what fanaticism can do to people, comments like this do not contribute or provide anything lucrative.
“ODLH is a legend…” yes he is.
LEGEND: a story coming down from the past.
When MP fought ODLH, you are right, he was already a legend. In this moment ODLH is an excellent promoter not a boxer.
Nobody doubt that this fight it gone be hard for both figters, Cotto need to be well prepare to hunt all night the Pacman and counter-punching and Manny need a lot more that SPEED to deal with Cotto.
10 days for the truth.
Co- sign DMP. Manny’s got some balls to fight Cotto for sure. He’s got to have a set of balls, i mean, did you see him on Kimmel? You got to have balls to put yourself out there like that. I love Pacquiao and all, but his singing makes me very happy that he’s a good boxer.
this will b a true superfight btween 2 great warriors
and cotto will win this in style tko/ko
mannys got balls taking on cotto
Cotto by KO or TKO if roach calls it a night before Pac falls.
Nice article.
People underestimate Cotto’s effectiveness throwing punches and he is not to slow as many Pacman’s fans believe.
jhon foreman
maybe you mean defend…not depend…
Pacquiao vs Barera
Arm length =25” Arm length = 24 1/2”
Height =5’6 ½” height = 5’6”
Weight =130 Weight =130
Tonight weight =144 Tonight weight =138
Weight Diff =14 Weight Diff =8
Pacman has a weight advantage, reach advantage , height advantage
Pacquiao vs Morales
Arm length =25” Arm length =24 ”
Height =5’6 ½” height = 5’8”
Weight =128 Weight =130
Tonight weight =140 Tonight weight =140
Weight Diff =12 Weight Diff =10
Pacman has reach advantage, put more weight
130 lbs Super Featherweight
Pacquiao vs Marquez
Arm length =25” Arm length =24”
Height =5’6 ½” height =5’7”
Weight =129 Weight =130
Tonight weight=145 Tonight weight =141
Weight Diff =16 Weight Diff =11
Pacman has reach advantage, more heavier than Morales
135 Light Weight
Pacquiao vs Diaz
Reach =25” Reach =23.5”
Height =5’6 ½” height =5’6”
Weight =134.5 Weight =135
Tonight weight =147 Tonight weight =148
Weight Diff =12.5 Weight Diff =13
Pacman has reach advantage, height advantage, Weight almost even.
140 Super Lightweight/ Jr. Welterweight
Pacquiao vs Hatton
Reach =25” Reac =24”
Height =5’6 ½” height =5’7”
Weight =138 Weight =140
Tonight weight = Tonight weight =
Weight Diff = Weight Diff =
Pacman has reach advantage,
Pacquiao vs Oscar De Lahoya
Reach =25” Reach =26”
Height =5’6 ½” height =5’10.5”
Weight =142 Weight =145
Tonight weight=148.5 Tonight weight=147
Weight Diff =6.5 Weight Diff =2
Pacman put more weight than De la Hoya, De La Hoya is dehaydrated
Pacquiao vs Cotto
Reach =25” Reach =25 ½”
Height =5’6 ½” height =5’7”
Weight =? Weight =?
Tonight weight =? Tonight weight =?
Weight Diff =? Weight Diff=?
Do Pacman add more weight than Marques to boast his stamina over Marquez. With Pacman Long reach advantage and adding extra weight, do give him this advantages.
In boxing rule once a fighter win the title, he has nine months to depend this title, but Roach know by depending a title or unifying it, will not make you great. Instead of depending it, and the possibility that Pacman will lose, so he jump to a higher weight by carefully picking the right opponent considering height, reach and adding more weight to Pacman that will boost his fighter stamina for high percentage of winning . Roach goal is to make his fighter achieve six belt in different division ,and know that he’s fighter achieve his goal, he want to be in history and this is he’s final masterpiece to achieve a seven belt in different division, that will shoot him to stardom. How did Pacman gain so much weight in Pacman vs Marquez fight in a matter of very short day. It could boost your stamina with- out using steroids but it also dangerous to Human health . Now Roach are doing everything to have a better advantage with cotto. After Pacman win , he is ready to retired and he has so many excuse to do it. First he could declare I have nothing to prove, Second I will run for government office. This is a quit unique way to be a great man, it’s like stealing a candy to a kids.
win or loose i will go for manny!!!! so come on manny!!! manny! manny! manny!
the best analysis on pacman-cotto so far in this site…
Pacman… Cotto was stunned from the shots that Tores and Judah landed. he was no where near Hurt or KO’d. you know nothing about boxing.just another pacman nuthugger
Quick Draw- Great point! I feel team Pacquiao is making everyone believe they are going for the Knockout in the earlier Rounds, True be told that’s pretty much suicide for Manny, Why Jump on a Guy who’s going to come into the fight weight almost 160lbs and when he is at his strongest and full of energy?
More likely I see them using the only option there is, try to out box cotto in and out until the later rounds where They are hoping he’ll be tired and ready to kill, They are counting on Cotto to get tired just like they were Counting on De La Hoya to get tired~
Probably one of the best articles that’s come out of this site.
Non biased against any fighter at all.
Respect to the writer for telling it like it is.
The secret to Freddie Roache’s prediction that Manny will KO Miguel in the first round…….Here it goes…The bell rings…The fighters meet at ring center, touches gloves…Manny says to Miguel “Look Your Shoe Laces Are Undone”…Miguel Looks…Manny throws a blinding right hook to Miguels left chin…Bang, Down & Out goes Miguel like Hatton, KO…10 seconds into round 1……
THE NEW WBO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD & STILL THE BEST EVER POUND 4 POUND KING…Aloha
It will be in round 9..favoring pacman..the weakness of cotto was exposed..
SPEED KILLS. MANNY BY KO OR TKO AFTER 7-8 ROUNDS.
Nice article, i don’t think i need to mention the whole biased/unbiased thing again because all opinions contain a certain amount of bias and the joke is… we love to read peoples opinions which include their own spin on things to build ourselves a better picture of who will come up tops on fight night. so all this arguing about who will win is futile.
The man who is tougher mentally on november 14th will win , maybe even before the bell goes
pacman is much better fighter than torres,corley,judah,and clottey. and all these fighters I just named hurt cotto in the early rounds.
These warriors have never tasted each other’s power…once this is accomplished usually first to third rounds (feeling-out rounds) The dominant fighter from the 4th round thereafter, will be the winner; either a KO before the 12th round or by unanimous decision after the 12th round……May the best man win & may God keep them safe from danger….aloha, Enjoy a History Making Contest
Cotto have been in the ring with much stronger fighters than Manny (SSM,JC,AM,ZJ,Torres,Corley)besides an OLD Marquez(and many belive JMM WON a few of those fights) WHO? OLD EM?, OR OLD BARRERA?, who has Manny really fought? face first Hatton? washed up ODH? DIAZ? WHO??
Cotto will KO Manny by the 10th rd.
cotto has the boxing skills to out point pacquiao with his accurate counterpunching there is no doubt cotto wins this fight.Pacman does not handle fighters that can do alittle boxing and countering on the outside very well. We can see evidence of this in the marquez and morales 1 fight,cotto will out box this fool all night den come 9th round he will be taken out NUFF SAID!!!!!
Mr. Glen,
There are a lot of great boxers, but one is above them. Cotto is a great boxer no question
about that. Honestly, how many boxers possesed
a power punch like Cotto (at his weight) fast or
present? and how many boxers possessed the speed of Cotto fast or present? Can you put him in top 20 of all time presenting his skills against Pacquiao right now? now, Let me reverse the question? How many great boxers faster the hand speed of MAnny? or How many great boxers that has power (considering the same weight as Manny) like Manny, and how many great boxers with hand and legs quickness match with Manny. Anyway, Cotto’s total fight experienced 37 or 38, that’s how many Manny knockout in the ring (37). He is not only good but so much experienced compare to Cotto. Manny carry the entire Phillipines seriously, I mean seriously. With the floods and poverty, Cotto must run or Coach Roach is right with his prediction.
The left hook of cotto will not reach pacman because pacman will be on his back by the time he launches that signature shot. when cotto starts to initiate that hook pacquiao will be hitting cotto on his right face by his wild over-the-top right. i think it would be a hatton style of defeat. roach and pacman will exploit cotto as they did to hatton. pacquiao hits without looking, like a wild shot coming from different angles.
Watch torres vs cotto and judah vs cotto, you would see in round 1 and 2 of both of these fights that cotto was indeed almost KO’ed. These two opposing boxers (of cotto) are not as hard hitter that pacquiao. if pacquiao can see that cotto is hurt then pacman will not stop and with puching accuracy i dont think cotto can withstand the punches coming from Pacman. 2 months ago i see pacquiao winning between 7 and 9 but after seeing cotto againts judah an torres i am betting between 1 to 4 rounds.
took a page out of my interview with floyd didn’t you? however, this is a fantastic fight and true, it’s a pick ‘um fight.
best match up in years…can’t wait…damm!!!
p.s. i thought only mexicans wrote in this column…i was mistaken..there are unbias writer for this website…non marquez public relation individuals..