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Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto, it’s prediction time
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Last interview with Manny Pacquiao, June 1, 2008 in San Diego.
For Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) and Filipino challenger Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), there never has been a more career-defining moment than this one.
From the very moment the two boxers began training they’ve been dreaming of nights like this. Their incentives have been the same: the amazing prize-money, the pride of their countrymen, the respect of their friends and families, and the respect of their fellow boxers. Their performance in the ring on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will soon be the news flashing around the world.
As with most fights of this caliber the big names in the sport want to weigh in with a prediction.
Joe Calzaghe, former super-middleweight, light heavyweight champ states: "Manny Pacquiao by decision. “I think Manny Pacquiao is going to be too quick for Cotto. I was ringside when Cotto fought Clottey and he seemed to struggle a bit in that fight. It is hard to say what he will do against a faster, quicker Pacquiao. I know people say Cotto is the bigger guy, but I still think Pacquiao beats him in a decision.”
Hector "Macho" Camacho, former WBC and WBO three-division champ: "Manny Pacquiao will win. I'm a Puerto Rican like Cotto, but I like Pacquiao because he has fought better guys, like Oscar De La Hoya. I see him having no problem against Cotto. Cotto is not a smart fighter, he boxes, and he's shown his colors already. He can be beat. So can Pacquiao. But I like Pacquiao. He has an unorthodox style, with punches coming from all over. Cotto tries to box. I see Pacquiao possibly stopping him. Pacquiao's on a roll. He has the confidence. He has the boxing momentum. I see him winning."
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton: "Of course the Pacman's going to win. I mean, is there any doubt?" Clinton made her prediction at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where she entertained questions during a nationally televised forum with hundreds of college students.
Chad Dawson, undefeated IBO and WBC light heavyweight champ: "Manny Pacquiao will win because he’s the best. He's on top right now."
George Foreman, former two-time heavyweight champ: "I think there would have been a good opportunity for Pacquiao to win if he faced Cotto before he fought Clottey, but now Cotto is thinking defense. I think Cotto is going to pull out a decision, and now because of the terrible beating he took against Margarito, he knows he can't get into a knockdown, drag-out brawl. He's going to be smarter, and I think Cotto wins in a 12 round decision. Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world. And it leaves you kind of complacent when you're winning. And even if you don't want it to, sometimes you can't get up for a big fight. And that's a plus for Cotto."
Bernard Hopkins, former two-division world champ: "Pacquiao is going to chop Cotto up. Out of respect, Cotto will get some rounds, but Manny is the Bruce Lee of boxing. His basketball and martial arts background give him that speed and agility. You can't tell where his shots are coming from. Unlike Rocky, Bruce Lee was a real dude and so is Manny."
Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated: "Miguel Cotto will win by decision. Pacquiao has enjoyed a meteoric rise by beating on offensive-oriented fighters [such as] David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. But Cotto will be the first true counter-puncher he has faced since Juan Manuel Marquez. Cotto has the speed and skill to deflect Pacquiao's heaviest shots, and the power in both hands to return a few of his own. Expect a back-and-forth, uber-competitive fight that is worth every dollar of the Pay Per View price. But expect Cotto to emerge with the decision."
Shane Mosley, WBA super world welterweight champ: "Miguel Cotto will win by decision: It's going to be an interesting fight, and I think Pacquiao better take it very seriously. I think Cotto will win because he's a little bit bigger and is a real welterweight. His power may be enough to overcome Pacquiao's speed. I think Cotto wins in a decision."
Kiernan Mulvaney, ESPN.boxing and Reuters: "I am having an incredibly hard time picking this fight. I think it's a very close, very even fight that, funny as it may sound. I can picture either guy totally dominating. Miguel Cotto is one heck of a fighter: He's strong physically, he's strong-willed, he's calm, and he's a very good boxer technically. Until Antonio Margarito's possibly loaded gloves started taking their toll, Cotto was winning that fight last year with ease, I thought. But I'm not sure Cotto is quite the same fighter he was before that. I think he just that little bit more vulnerable than he was. And Cotto, more than most fighters, really likes to set his own pace, to stamp his authority early on and force his opponent to fight at the speed he wants. That isn't going to happen against Manny Pacquaio, and so, even though I can also see Cotto punishing Pacman with far harder shots than the Filipino has ever felt, I think Pacquiao's swarming fusillade proves too much, and Pacquiao winds up taking a hard-fought but ultimately clear decision."
Carlos Oritz, former three-time world champ: "Pacquiao is a good boxer, but Cotto is a fighter. I'm going to give the edge to Cotto, and not just because he's Puerto Rican, but because of the way he fights. He always comes to fight, he's always in shape. Cotto is going to have the edge. I see him winning by decision, but I do think he can knock Pacquiao out if the chance arrives."
Tim Smith, New York Daily News: "Cotto in a decision. He is the first, legitimate welterweight that Pacquiao has faced who is in his prime rather than a blown-up junior welterweight or a fighter who is no longer in the prime of his career."
Bert Sugar, boxing historian: "Manny Pacquiao by eighth round knockout. This is a fight of speed and accuracy for Pacquiao, against the body punching of Cotto. Vegas has always been Pacquiao's home, and the Evel Knievel of boxing will leap over another opponent to come away with the win. Pacquiao also has a secret ingredient called [trainer] Freddie Roach, whose battle plans bring tears to the eyes of Robert E Lee. Cotto is a gutsy and gritty fighter, but I think Pacquiao stops him on cuts, and wins in the eighth round."
Felix Trinidad, former three-division world champion: "Manny is a big puncher and a good boxer, but he has never faced a natural welterweight like Miguel. Cotto is the most dangerous fight of Pacquiao's career."
Mike Tyson, former world heavyweight champ: "I pick Manny Pacquiao by knockout. I think he will knock him out in seven or eight. Manny just has too much for Cotto."
Winky Wright, former junior middleweight champ: "If Cotto stays busy, he'll win a decision. I think that Cotto will win the fight, but I thinks it's gonna be a good fight. On the night of the fight, Pacquiao will still not be a full welterweight. And Cotto is very strong. As the fight plays out, around rounds seven, eight, nine, that's when Cotto starts taking over. I think Cotto will win by a decision, but he might even get a knockout. With all of my heart I think Miguel Cotto will win."
In house view: "Lately, I've seen the frustration on Freddie Roach’s face. As the champion's trainer, Roach hates to see all the distractions in Pacquiao’s life, be it a typhoon, Pacquiao's work with the rescue relief and charities, and the two appearances to sing on late night television. There is a limit to what one person can accomplish and Pacquiao is like a rubber band that’s being stretched too far.
Personally, I would like to see Manny Pacquiao win. He is such an inspiration to everyone, not only the people of Filipino ancestry. But Miguel Cotto is nothing like the washed up Oscar De La Hoya at the end of his career. He's not small like Ricky Hatton. He's a natural welterweight. His strength is going to be too much for the smaller man. Pacquiao may win the early rounds by out pointing Cotto but when it gets to the gut-check late rounds, Cotto should be able to take over and either knock Pacquiao out or win by decision.
The use of the larger photo is to illustrate the size advantage. Photo courtesy of the AP archives.
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