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I have watch some of Cotto's old fights and I must say that Pacquiao can beat him. Here are the reasons:
1. Cotto is a converted southpaw - Pacquiao's last three fights were: southpaw (Diaz), converted southpaw (Oscar), and pseudo-southpaw (left hand dominant Hatton). Manny Pacquiao who is born ambidextrous (adept in using both hands in his day-to-day activities), seems to be stronger when fighting left hand dominant fighters.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
1. Cotto is a converted southpaw - Pacquiao's last three fights were: southpaw (Diaz), converted southpaw (Oscar), and pseudo-southpaw (left hand dominant Hatton). Manny Pacquiao who is born ambidextrous (adept in using both hands in his day-to-day activities), seems to be stronger when fighting left hand dominant fighters.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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