By Mark Vester

Uncle/former trainer Evangelista Cotto is picking his nephew, WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, to stop Manny Pacquiao before the eight round of Saturday's bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Evangelista and Miguel have not spoken since their argument on April 8 that led to a brawl at the Bairoa gym in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Miguel fired Evangelista and replaced by Joe Santiago. Evangelista sued Miguel in July for $7.5 million dollars, with claims of money owed and serious injuries suffered during their April scuffle.

"Miguel should win before the eighth," said Evangelista to Primera Hora. "Miguel should win. He is too strong for Manny. Miguel is a naturla welterweight with a lot of resources. The key is to be prepared. If he is well prepared and imposes himself on Pacquiao early on, I'm sure he will take it before the eighth round."

"I've seen some fights with Pacquiao and I've seen that the two times he has been knocked out, is from his opponents working the body. I do not think he can take Miguel's punches. He is not the same [fighter] like De La Hoya or Ricky Hatton."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach says Santiago is too young and not experienced enough as a trainer to know what to do in a fight on this level. Evangelista showed Santiago the ropes during their years of working together with Miguel. He says Santiago should do well.

"People bring up Joe's inexperience, but they forget that for he's been working in our corner for a long time and he knows what it's like to be in that position. I think Joe will do well," said Evangelista.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com