I favored Diaz in the first fight, too. Malignaggi surprised me. It's a shame that the judges didn't give him the win.
I'm sort of favoring Malignaggi in the rematch but you never know. They both know what they're up against and maybe Diaz could pull out a legitimate victory.
I'm having a hard time making a final prediction. I could see it going Cotto's way, due to his strength and counter-punching. I can also see it going Pacquiao's way, due to his speed and movement.
This is one fight that I'm just gonna have to sit back and watch, with an open mind.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda. You Pac fans are starting to remind me of Mayweather.
Pac moved to lightweight, beat the weakest titlist, and moved up. FACT
He wouldn't have been able to fight Juan Diaz, anyways. Pacquiao fought Marquez at SFW, only one week after Diaz lost his titles to Nate Campbell.
Do you really think that Campbell was a better name than David Diaz? Especially, after Diaz came off a win over Morales?
If it goes via Cotto's way, how do you see it? 12 rounds at Cotto's pace due to his strength, or earlier stoppage? :D
If it goes Pac's way, would it be via decision, stoppage to cuts, quit a la DLH, KO, or referee stops it? :D
If Pacquiao wins, it'll be by stoppage or corner retirement. If Cotto wins, it'll most likely be by decision.
David Diaz sucked. Any of the other names at lightweight would've been better. And yes, Campbell was a better name. That's not even debatable. A win over Morales when Diaz beat him means nothing, and he didn't even beat Morales IMO.
David Diaz was the worst possible titlist. Casamayor or Campbell would've been much better options.
I agree with you on Casamayor. He would've been a much better opponent.
Interesting prediction.
I'm having a hard time making a final decision, on this one. Cotto's a lot bigger than Pacquiao but, after his latest fights, Pacquiao's known for creating upsets.
I had Pacquiao winning against Marquez, in the second fight, but that's just my opinion. One thing I did notice is that Marquez landed some goo left hooks in the fight and even wobbled Pacquiao. I don't know how he's gonna take Cotto's, if that happens.
I guess it's one of those fights where I'm just gonna have to sit back and watch.