By Mark Vester

Former three division champion Felix "Tito" Trinidad is picking WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto to retain his title on November 14 when he faces pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There have always been rumors of a rivalry between Cotto and Trinidad. Tito has always laid praise on Puerto Rican fighters like Ivan Calderon and Juan Manuel Lopez but it wasn't very often that he praised Cotto. For the biggest fight in Puerto Rico since Trinidad fought Oscar De La Hoya over ten years ago, Tito is backing his countryman to win.

"Manny is a big puncher and a good boxer but he never faced a natural welterweight like Miguel," Trinidad said to El Nuevo Dia .

Trinidad agrees with most experts; Cotto is the most dangerous fight of Pacquiao's career and even more dangerous than past opponents like Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"Oscar was a great champion. He did many, many great things in boxing. When I fought him, it was a great fight. But when he fought Pacquiao, Oscar was already a little past his prime. He was not the same," said Trinidad.

"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 7, 8, 9 is when Cotto starts taking over. I think Cotto will win be decision but he might even get a knockout. With all of my heart I think Miguel Cotto will win."

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