By Derrick Villanueva: Despite continuous evidence of the contrary, Manuel Perez still believes that Manny Pacquiao’s skills are stuck where they were during his first fight with Erik Morales. This is in reference to his recent article entitled Pacquiao-Cotto: Manny Needs to Focus on Miguel, not Mayweather where he states:

“Pacquiao will need to be at 110% if he wants to be competitive against Cotto. I don’t think he will. I see this as a repeat of the Erik Morales vs. Pacquiao I fight.”

Really? How? In what parallel universe is it that Pacquiao is still reckless? In what parallel universe is it that Pacquiao still doesn’t know how to utilize his lead (right) hand? I don’t get his logic. In Mr. Perez’s fantasy world, Pacquiao is still the rash brawler that doesn’t know how to use his right hook. That Pacquiao, in reality, is gone.

Pacquiao nowadays is decisively 1.) Faster 2.) Stronger 3.) Has Better Balance 4.) More Tactical 5.) More Experienced that he was a few years ago. He is not invincible, by no means, as can be seen in his fight with Oscar Larios; but he’s improved leaps and bounds over the following years that to say that his performance with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 will be the same as his performance with Morales of yesteryears will be the same is simply absurd.

Cotto is decisively stronger than Erik Morales but “El Terrible” was definitely faster, and more cunning. Cotto’s defense is not as good as Morales’. The only reason Erik Morales was dropped in their second fight was because he was too game to exchange and brawl with the Pacman. A stupid albeit fearless move that I still applaud today. If Morales had kept his composure then, he wouldn’t have been beaten to a pulp and Pacquiao would’ve won with a decision. But it would’ve made for a much less entertaining fight.

Cotto’s left hook is dangerous for sure and the Pacman has been known to still walk into punches from time to time but in the end I strongly believe that Pacquiao’s incredible hand speed will baffle and stun Cotto and win the day. Besides Freddie Roach would’ve drilled Pacquiao to the breaking point on avoiding and countering those left hooks. He too, like Pacquiao, has Not been frozen in time.

I see Pacquiao winning by early KO or Decision depending on Cotto’s condition.