Predictions: Pacquiao vs. Cotto is on

Miguel Cotto, right, of Puerto Rico, and Manny Pacquiao, of
the Philippines, pose for photos during a news conference at
the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009,
in Las Vegas. The boxers will face each other in a WBO
welterweight championship boxing match on Nov. 14.
(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

As the storm gathers and Saturday's hour of reckoning draws closer, it's time to choose your horse once and for all. Who will stand victorious following the Welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and WBO Champion Miguel Cotto?

Expect high-octane action from the opening bell with Pacquiao controlling the pace throughout. Pacquiao, arguably the world's best conditioned fighter, will stay busy by moving in quick to deliver combos before dipping out. Cotto's best chances for victory rest along the ropes. In order to win rounds, Cotto will have to muscle the Pacquiao to the ring's perimeter and hope to score in bunches. It may even be beneficial for Joe Santiago (Cotto's Trainer) to take a page from Sugar Ray Leonard and signal to his fighter, with thirty seconds left in each round, to unleash a fury of punches in the hope of stealing rounds on the judges' cards. Also, look for Cotto to go after Manny's core. Ever the effective body puncher, Cotto's best bet to slowing down Manny is with consistent blows to the ribs.

On the other hand, look for Pacquiao's best work to come in the center of the ring. Pacquiao, even in closely fought battles against Morales and Marquez, always makes use of the entire canvas. By peppering Cotto at the ring's center, Pacquiao will be free to pivot nicely into a new angle where can continue to attack - all the while, building up a steady lead on the cards.

DO NOT EXPECT A KNOCKOUT.

This is going to be a hard-fought battle between two gladiators that ends with a clear winner. However, I find it nearly impossible to see this bout ending by way of knock out. With that said, I see Pacquiao starting to pull away with a victory somewhere around Round 10.

Prediction: Manny Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision over Miguel Cotto

(. . . in a fight worthy of a rematch.)

For more on Miguel Cotto:

http://www.examiner.com/x-29356-Columbus-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Miguel-Cotto-a-man-for-all-seasons

For more on Manny Pacquiao:

http://www.examiner.com/x-29356-Columbus-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d11-The-Art-of-Manny-Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto predictions
Examiner	Winner	For More...
Marv Dumon Houston Boxing	Pacquiao 6th Round TKO	Examiner's prediction for Pac vs Cotto: the winner is . . .
James Wyatt San Diego Boxing	Cotto  KO or Decision	Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto, it’s prediction time
Colin Seymour SF Boxing	Pacquiao 10th Round	Pacquiao’s esprit de corps will get him through this difficult fight
Samuel Rossi Columbus Boxing	Pacquiao Unanimous Decision	Predictions: Pacquiao vs. Cotto is on
Joseph Roche Providence Boxing	Pacquiao Unanimous Decision	Prizefight primer: Pacquiao - Cotto
Chris Robinson Las Vegas Boxing	Pacquiao Decision	Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto: Analysis, prediction, and thanks to the readers
Glenn Wilson Norfolk Boxing	Pacquiao Decision	Prediction: Manny Pacquiao over Miguel Cotto in very close fight
Matt Stolow Dallas Boxing	Pacquiao	My pick on Saturday night of Pacquiao vs. Cotto
Colin Linneweber Boston Boxing	Cotto 9th Round TKO	Boston boxing fans should watch Cotto beat Pacquiao at the Sports Depot
Joseph Bourelly Oakland Fight Sports	Cotto  KO in Less Than 7 Rounds	Miguel Cotto will put Manny Pacquiao in his place
Michael Marley NY Boxing	Pacquiao Decision	Manny Pacquiao wins because Miguel Cotto can't cook with cold grease