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Pac is stronger against left hand dominant fighters because the right hand is the most effective punch against a southpaw. After that, the left hook to the liver.
I'll agree that if Pacman had been a right hander, I would never have considered him able to beat Cotto.
You are doing two things wrong here; you are lying and assuming that your perception and pre-conception is accurate.
There are several ways to beat any fighter, including Pac. One is to cut off the ring and stay in his face throwing shorter punches than he is. I expect that to be the gameplan of Cotto, but not really sure as Cotto's very versatile.
Using a washed up De La Hoya as a measuring stick doesn't fly in the real world.
Cotto gets tired because he uses strength and power to break down his opponents in the early- early mid-rounds. He changes the pace at times to avoid falling into a repetetive pattern and because he's juicing up again to finish a fighter late.
What you don't point out here is the fact that Cotto is spending an awful lot of energy taking the gas out of the opponent, so your point isn't really a point.
De la Hoya would fit into your reasoning.
He isn't much slower, although he is in fact not as fast as Pac. What he does possess is timing and beautiful short punches, which will overcome speed is used properly.
This is what makes this fight very hard to predict.
He will be fighting a middleweight come fight night; without the 16 oz gloves.
A middleweight that has studied Pac for several months and devoted his life to beat him. There's a difference there.
This is correct; when pressed hard or resting, Cotto is in turtle mode indeed.
But Cotto is a far better counter puncher than either of the three above mentioned fighters.
Which makes him the tank he is. It's also what makes his punches heavy and damaging.
But if you look at some of Cotto's earlier fights, you'll see he has excellent footwork when he needs to. He really is a very well balanced fighter with no real flaw, which makes it possible for him to rely on other things if one aspect of his game doesn't work.
I'll agree that if Pacman had been a right hander, I would never have considered him able to beat Cotto.
2. Cotto is not a predominantly counter-puncher - The only way to beat Pacquiao is to counter him. Even that can sometimes backfires, as Pacquiao has improved dramatically, countering even the counterpuncher Marquez. Cotto doesn't have the counterpunching speed, reflex, hand-eye coordination and superb timing of Marquez.
There are several ways to beat any fighter, including Pac. One is to cut off the ring and stay in his face throwing shorter punches than he is. I expect that to be the gameplan of Cotto, but not really sure as Cotto's very versatile.
De la Hoya tried to be a counter-puncher against Pacquiao, unfortunately Oscar's physicality is of subpar standard and what makes it worst he's left-hand dominant. What's more Pacquiao can now fight backwards.
3. Cotto gets tired - Cotto has a habit of tapering off after the mid-rounds. Pacquiao has a reputation of having freakish stamina reservoir. Manny is a throwback to an era where rounds are more than a dozen.
What you don't point out here is the fact that Cotto is spending an awful lot of energy taking the gas out of the opponent, so your point isn't really a point.
De la Hoya would fit into your reasoning.
4. Cotto is much slower than Pacquiao - Speed is an inborn gift. You can't teach speed. You either have it or you don't.
Don't expect Pacquiao's speed to diminish due to weight. Remember that since 2004, Pacquiao is used to entering the ring as essentially a welterweight (146 lbs. during his 1st Marquez fight).
Don't expect Pacquiao's speed to diminish due to weight. Remember that since 2004, Pacquiao is used to entering the ring as essentially a welterweight (146 lbs. during his 1st Marquez fight).
This is what makes this fight very hard to predict.
5. Cotto is not physically big - Pac and Cotto has almost the same height and have an identical reach. Sure, Cotto is bulkier, but you have to remember that Pacquiao spars with middleweights, some of which he knocked down.
A middleweight that has studied Pac for several months and devoted his life to beat him. There's a difference there.
6. Cotto turtles - When on the defensive, Cotto enters the turtle mode. Pacquiao has long added to his offensive arsenal fake jabs, up and down feints, with 3 or 4 punch fast combos from different angles. Manny smart fast footwork also ensure of him having high percentage of accurate punches landing when faced with turtle defense (see Diaz, De la Hoya and Hatton).
But Cotto is a far better counter puncher than either of the three above mentioned fighters.
7. Cotto's feet are usually planted - Pacquiao moves in and out, side to side, throwing trajectory angle power punches while moving at an unpredictable direction at an uncanny speed. Cotto's feet moves when he's on the defensive and when his arms are tired.
But if you look at some of Cotto's earlier fights, you'll see he has excellent footwork when he needs to. He really is a very well balanced fighter with no real flaw, which makes it possible for him to rely on other things if one aspect of his game doesn't work.
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