Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto
Every year the sport of boxing hosts at least one super fight, and this weekend’s welterweight match featuring Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2) and Miguel Cotto (34-1-0) fits the billing. How do they match up?
In Pacquiao, fight fans will be treated to whom many consider to be the best boxer on the planet. He is incredibly fast and punches with tremendous power for his size. The native of the Philippines features an unorthodox, southpaw style that utilizes a lot of in and out movement. His straight left hand has proven to be the most lethal knockout punch among the lower weight classes, and Manny Pacquiao’s right hook has developed into a formidable weapon since bursting onto the national scene six years ago when he defeated Marco Antonio Barrera.
Since moving up from the junior lightweight division last year, Manny Pacquiao has cultivated an almost mythical stature in the ring, having stopped lightweight titlist David Diaz, mega star Oscar De La Hoya and junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton inside of twelve rounds. While extremely impressive for a man who began his career at only 106 pounds, a closer look at these three opponents paints a different picture.
David Diaz was a mere paper champion and was nowhere near being the actual best fighter in the lightweight division at the time. Diaz has always been recognized as a tough but very limited boxer in terms of style and technique. As for Oscar De La Hoya, it was evident age, eroding reflexes and weight loss caught up with him in his fight with Pacquiao, which had to be the worst performance of the Golden Boy’s career. As for Ricky Hatton, the Manchester native had not looked exceptionally sharp since before his 2007 bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On the other hand, Miguel Cotto is in the prime of his career and already mentioned among the best boxers Puerto Rico has ever produced, such as Felix Trinidad, Wilfred Benitez and Wilfredo Gomez. Cotto is a true welterweight who began his career campaigning at a weight drained 140 pounds in the junior welterweight division where he completely crushed each of his opponents.
Since moving up to welterweight in 2006, Miguel Cotto has taken on all comers and began his tenure in the division by brutalizing top ten contender Carlos Quintana over five rounds to win the WBA title. Current welterweight champion Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey serve as other marquis victories at 147 pounds, and his lone defeat to Antonio Margarito – a bloody and extremely violent affair – is so controversial that most fans and media view Miguel Cotto as having never lost in the ring.
In terms of tomorrow night’s action, we have an excellent little man in Manny Pacquiao, who is probably best served fighting at 130 pounds in the junior lightweight division, going against an excellent welterweight in the prime of his career. While Pacquiao possesses superior speed and controls distance better than Miguel Cotto and equals him in defense, the Filipino falls short in other categories, such as power, size, going to the body and ring generalship.
At the end of the day, Miguel Cotto represents something Manny Pacquiao has never had to face in the form of a bigger and more talented man in the ring. Although it has not, this alone should make Miguel Cotto a solid favor to win tomorrow night, and unless Pacquiao gets on his bicycle and does a lot of running, expect to see the Puerto Rican inflict a serious body attack that should culminate in a knockout inside of eight rounds. Manny Paquiao does not belong in the welterweight division, and Miguel Cotto will prove why tomorrow night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden.
Comments
MIGUEL IM NO ANGEL COTTO will WIN BY KO in ROUND 9
While I do agree that Manny's best weight is prolly no higher than 140, It's not as if he doesn't possess the skill and ability to compete at at this weight. Yes, you could argue that DLH was old and Hatton not as good, but all that proves is that they can't compete at the higher level anymore. That's it, it doesn't mean that Pacquiao is not really as fast as he is, or as strong. Also, don't make the mistake in assuming that Cotto will win because he is the more skilled fighter. Pac has faced fighters way more skilled than Cotto and still won. You could argue that they don't hit as hard as Cotto, but the gap in skill for this fight is nowhere near as big as the gap in skill for the three morales fights. The only thing Cotto has going for him is his power and his will to win, that's about it. You said if Pac could stay on his bike, he'll have a shot. Well what the hell did youthink he was gonna do? Stand and brawl? He hasn't fought like that since the last Marquez fight.
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are gonna make PAY PER VIEW HISTORY and I'm pretty sure they're gonna make more Money then the Mayweather and De La Hoya fight which will definitley anger both of them' lol Let the Best Man Win and lets all Enjoy the Fight.
Good points Phoocquiao. I will just say the pressure Cotto is going to bring by effectively cutting off the ring will provide temptation for Manny to stand and trade. This will not be in his best interest.
I don't believe this take anymore that "the Filipino falls short in other categories, such as power, size, going to the body and ring generalship". This is the same take given by "boxing experts" BEFORE Pacquiao fought David Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton, respectively. They also said that ODLH was the BETTER fighter/boxer and this alone would win him the fight against Pacman. Like you, they also said that Diaz, ODLH and Hatton represent somebody Manny Pacquiao has never had faced in the form of bigger and more talented men in the ring. Somehow, Pacquiao always proved them wrong.
I accept that people are entitled to their opinions. What I can't accept is people refusing to admit they are wrong and, worse, making excuses. I can already see the excuses when Cotto is defeated, "he was not the same anymore after the Margarito fight", or "he was weight-drained", or "he was distracted", or "he was over-rated". Is it really that hard to give credit to the winner?
Jarcex, no excuses from me. Should Manny Pacquiao defeat Miguel Cotto, I will be the first to admit he is the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound. Mayweather hasn't fought anyone of Cotto's skill or size, so I would give Pacquiao that edge.
Cotto will win this. He is too big for Pacman and he is a great counterpuncher. Good call, but I don't see a KO.
Cotto will do his thing baby!! PR got this.... Pacquiao picked the wrong dude 2 try 2 make history against. Sorry Manny.
an old adage says..a big good fighter(Cotto) beats a good small fighter(Pacquiao)...but remember,speed kills..
My boy Cotto looked 2 be in better shape then Manny at the weigh in. Idk but I think Pacquiiao is gonna get finished. Pr get them bottles ready...... We poppin that Champagne 2morrow night!!!
am so excited about this fight ........may the best man win!!!
pac by ko on the 5th round
MY PREDICTION OF NEWSPAPER AND WEBSITE HEADLINES ARE:
"COTTO NEVER KNEW WHAT HIT HIM"
"PACMAN THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME"
"PACQUIAO GLORY"
ANOTHER SORT OF HEADLINES:
"PACQUIAO TKO'd BY COTTO's LOWBLOWS"
"COTTO WON BY LOWBLOWS"
"PACQUIAO QUITS- CAN'T LIVE WITH MY BALLS CRUSHED"
JOSEPH BOURELLY:
AFTER THE FIGHT, JUST ADMIT THAT YOU WERE WRONG WITH YOUR PREDICTIONS AGAINST MANNY; AND THAT ALL YOUR ANALYSIS WERE STU PID; AND THAT YOU, AS A JOURNALIST, HAS NO CREDIBILITY.
THIS IS A CHALLENGE TO YOUR DIMWITNESS.
you're a funny guy..Joseph Bourelly..hahaha..such a joker..
Hey idiot, you're boy just got hit by a whirlwind! Didn't know where to hid cotto had to do the chicken dance all night all. If Bayles had a skirt on, cotto would have hidden in there.
TKO 12th rounds. What a same, what a coward. And you Mr. Bourelley, what a stupid writer! Opening up your mouth without checking your facts first. Serves you right!
Cotto did the chicken dance all night long. What a shame to the Puerto Ricans. And you Mr. Bourlley, shame on you for opening your mouth before checking your facts. Serves you right, you idiot!
Cotto TKOd in th 12th!!! Cotto did the chicken dance from R4 to R12...what a shame!!! Mr. Buorelly you are a shame! Admit it that you and your boy got served!
Joseph Bourelly
Bigger and more talented? Could be but he goes down just like all the others! Pacquio did do a lot of running! Running after the official runner Cotto! Ha ha ha, the poor guy doesn't know where to run against a small opponent who this columnist said does not belong to the welterweight division! Manny was giving Cotto his body to shoot at but the Cotto just couldn't deliver! Oh by the way Mr Bourelly better find another job probably in dancing with the stars oh I forgot you can't even predict who will dance on the ring! Need I say more? You base you analysis on biased opinion downplaying every opponent Pacquiao faces where's you Cotto now? He couldn't even tell where the punches were coming from!!
JOSEPH BOUREILLY:
YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY!!!!!
ADMIT NOW!!!
Miguel Cotto will put Manny Pacquiao in his place??????
Now who's running?
hey funny guy Joseph Bourelly...here's all i can say..
MANNY "PACMAN" PACQUIAO is "The Greatest".
Enough said...
cotto did put manny in his place - as the chaser when cotto was busy running around the ring like a headless chicken
Your resignation letter is ready to be signed.
Your arrogant boxing analysis reveals one thing - your bias. As a supposedly Examiner, you are required to show objectivity, as some of the Examiners here have shown time and again.
Cotto lost and he's actually the one who ran away from Pacquiao and NOT the other way around as your 'intelligent' analysis suggested.
The Philippine boxer belongs to the Welterweight division, however, you don't have the right to be called an Examiner.
wrong prediction man. i will never again believe in your predictions..you have no credibility..........now whos running???????????????????????????
JOSEPH BOBOURELLY:
YOUR JOURNALISTIC CAREER IS NOW FINISHED!
YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY WITH YOUR ANALYSIS AS A WRITER. NEXT TIME USE YOUR BRAIN TO ANALYSE THINGS UP. SHAME ON YOU.
TIME TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB FOOLING PEOPLE WITH YOUR STU PID PREDICTIONS AND ANALYSIS...
WON'T YOU CONSIDER BEING A PSYCHIC PERHAPS???
hahaha! just plain stupid and biased commentary...i heard there's a lot of opening for waiters in your town..i bet you'd be given a favor over the other applicants. goodluck with your new career!
Hey Joseph, how does it taste eating your own words?
Looks like your prediction are all acurate except that you have the wrong man...hehehehe...you SUCKS
At the end of the day, Miguel Cotto represents something Manny Pacquiao has never had to face in the form of a bigger and more talented man in the ring. Although it has not, this alone should make Miguel Cotto a solid favor to win tomorrow night, and unless Pacquiao gets on his bicycle and does a lot of running, expect to see the Puerto Rican inflict a serious body attack that should culminate in a knockout inside of eight rounds. Manny Paquiao does not belong in the welterweight division, and Miguel Cotto will prove why tomorrow night in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden.
****really??!!!
hahaha!!!! you were so wrong....never underestimate the power of pacman!!!
if what separates the ring is a parking lot or an airport, Cotto would use not a bicycle but a fast car or an airplane.
Now you know what the "excellent little man in Manny Pacquiao." did and "bigger and more talented man in the ring" who had his face tattoed. It is time for you to put manny in the right place and so your mind.
Hey Joseph. Your predictions weren't biased. They were dead on for Cotto. It's just that Manny Pacquiao has the x factor. Something you couldn't possibly have expected if you weren't living in the Philippines. It's the determination to win. And the ability to focus on the battle at hand. Coupled with respect for the capability of his trainor who has never let him down before.
Your wrong prediction as well as other writers..is highly indicative of the lack of experience and thorough study of any case at hand...
This only mean, to a reading public that you are remiss in your task to analyze and breakdown history as well as recent developments to come out with a more accurate picture of what is to come..I believe..having committed such a really humongous mistake...discredits your reputation as well as the organization you write for...I am sorry for you coz you dont have the skills to breakdown variables and make a meaningful and an accurate assessment of things...I suggest you go back and review your lessons in ..THOROUGHNESS, HASTE and CUSTOMER FOCUS (boxing being your customer)....Writing is only syntax and semantics...if you eloquently write about garbage...it would still come out to be garbage...
Erratum:
Writing is NOT only about syntax and semantics...
cotto got pwned.
speed > strength
Erratum:
Writing is NOT only about syntax and semantics...
Time to look for another career Joe! you were off by a 1000 miles. Try UFC next time...oh wait you might even FCKED that up so you know what? just stay home and play with your XBOX
Next time think before you write on whatever career you do....you have no credibility....might be a good idea to change your name too
a good example is when Royce Gracie being a lot smaller than most of his opponents became a hall of famer for UFC....they need to change the rules in order for him to be beaten....so size does not matter...brain is not just a paper weight....
Brilliant article... NOT!
Miguel Cotto a solid favor to win tomorrow night, and unless "Pacquiao gets on his bicycle and does a lot of running, expect to see the Puerto Rican inflict a serious body attack that should culminate in a knockout inside of eight rounds"--- soooh wrong
now whos backpedalling?????? but cotto could beat pacquiao in a marathon running backward.............
YOUR ARTICLE IS FAIR... BUT YOUR PREDICTION IS SO WRONG.....BUT ILL STILL READ YOUR ARTICLES... KEEP ON WRITING YOUR WRONG PREDICTIONS
wheres your post analysis? what went wrong in your analysis?
Its not easy making predictions. I am sure many of these people making comments about your wrong predication probably would have chose Cotto to win just based on the stats. The problem with your prediction is how far you had gone with it. Leave some room for error. The title of your article and bold predications you made can make you look like a genius or an absolute idiot. Make your prediction about Cotto and him being dominant but then finish with a statement about how heart, and determination can overcome statistics.
Hi Mr. Joseph Bourelly,
Its better to change your name while its not yet too late, the moment you'll make predictions in the future no one belives in you except your loyal dog.
hey mr. bourelly. your name sounds american yet you look every bit asian. poor you. in your prediction you talk like your such an expert. Hahaha. who will believe your next prediction now??? Hahaha
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