By Glen Anglin: I think the Pac Man has finally bitten off more than he can chew in the handsome Puerto Rican star. Cotto is the bigger man and bangs very well with both hands, especially the hook. I do not believe that he is shot simply because he was busted up in the Margarito assault. (By the way, Margarito should be given a lifetime ban). He showed resilience and toughness in the Clottey fight even though he was badly cut. I believe that his size, strength and power will overcome Pacquiao’s speed and spirit. He may not out-punch Pacquiao, but he will out-hurt him.

As someone with enormous respect for the Filipino hero, I have watched him closely for his recent fights. He has continually pushed his performance envelope for the last 5 years, taking on bigger and tougher challenges each successive fight. In doing so, he grew his body past its optimum size and weight class. I think his best weight would be 135. At that weight at this stage of his career, I would pick him over any lightweight ever.

In Cotto, he is facing an excellent, full sized welterweight in his prime who possesses bravery, skill and heavy hands. He is a tougher challenge than either De la Hoya or Hatton were at the stage of their careers that they fought Pacquiao. True, Cotto will dry out to 145, but I don’t think that two pounds of liquid will have a negative impact on Cotto’s readiness on fight night. If Cotto is not weakened by making weight, then he will be able to walk through Pacquiao’s power shots, and then close the distance in the later rounds to do real damage. Remember that Pacquiao hit a skeletal DLH with a trainload of clean punches, but never had him close to going down.

Of course, he did batter and put to sleep Hatton; however, Hatton was not as naturally big or young as is Cotto. In addition, Cotto will not run in with his chin out, as did Hatton.

I believe that Cotto will be able to succeed against Pacquiao as well as did Juan Manuel Marquez, but with the harder punches and chin of a real welterweight. My guess is that Cotto will floor Pacquiao at least once, but that the fight will go to decision with Cotto the victor. JGA