Looks like Pacquiao Plans to Run from Cotto

By Boxing News - 09/01/2009 - Comments

pac4534243By Manuel Perez: Not only will Manny Pacquiao have an advantage with the catch weight, location of the fight and the bigger pay for his November 14th bout against World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, but appears that fight will be taking place in a large 20 foot ring at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Previously, it was thought that the fight would take place in a 24 foot ring, but it now appears that it will take place in the 20 footer. Thought it’s not an 18 foot ring, which is favored by sluggers like Cotto, it’s still a big enough ring to allow Pacquiao to have the luxury of running all around it like a chicken with his head cut off while being chased by Cotto.

The bigger ring seems to suggest that Pacquiao will be doing some running around the ring. I can’t say I’m surprised by that. I didn’t expect the little Filipino to stand and trade with Cotto. Pacquiao will probably try the hit and run tactics that he sometimes uses against fighters with a lot of power. Pacquiao tried that against Juan Manuel Marquez, but it didn’t work very well against the powerful Mexican.

When Pacquiao would jump forward to land, Marquez would greet him more often than not with a straight jab or a right hand to the head. And when Pacquiao would scurry away, Marquez would chase after him, punishing the retreating Pacquiao. If you watch that fight, Pacquiao usually retreats by backing straight up. Marquez was easily able to follow after Pacquiao and hit him with shots.

With all this talk about Pacquiao being boxing’s pound for pound number #1 fighter, why would he want such a big ring? If Pacquiao is a great slugger, wouldn’t you think that he would stand up on his hind legs and tell his management that he wants an 18 foot ring so that he can slug with Cotto?

I’m really disappointed in Pacquiao if the 24 foot ring is used. I hope Pacquiao doesn’t plan on stinking up the joint on November 14th by running from Cotto for the entire fight. In the end, whether the fight is held in a 20 foot ring or an 18 footer, it won’t matter. Cotto will still be able to pick Pacquiao off with hard jabs when Manny runs forward trying to land his straight left hands or his right hook.

He only has two real weapons and he uses those punches over and over again. Cotto doesn’t need to worry about a jab, because Pacquiao doesn’t really throw many jabs at all. But gosh, I’m really surprised at Pacquiao going along with a medium sized 20 foot ring.

Pacquiao might turn the fight into kind of a kid’s game of tag, but I can’t see Pacquiao getting away with it. Pacquiao moves reasonably well when he’s jumping forward, but he is very hittable when he backs up. That is where Cotto will rake the little Filipino with punches and make Pacquiao pay for his shots. When Pacquiao starts to run, Cotto will chase him down and clobber him with shots.



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