Will beating Cotto establish Pacquiao as an elite WW?

[jazluvr]

I think a fighter has to show that he can beat all comers in the weight division he is fighting in and not just live off of one fight. It would be a good win for Pacquiao nontheless. But it is unfair to say that he would be an elite Welterweight when there is Shane, Mayweather (if the money suits him) and even Margarito wanting a shot at Pacquiao as well. He would earn a top 5 spot by beating Cotto though. I can't take that away from him.

Great post, Iceta...I agree.

Edit; Wow... i just contradicted myslf. I looked at the poll after posting this, and i already had voted yes in it. I don't know why I said yes, because i firmly agree with Iceta's post. So i change my vote to no.
Although Pac will gain awesome respect from me (even moreso) if he does win. Pac's my 2nd fav boxer.

[Doctor_Tenma]

My thoughts exactly.

We need more votes, or else alot of people are gonna get off with an excuse.

[jazluvr]

Dominicano makes the worst polls by far.

I respectfully disagree with you. I think he's a great poster and any threads by him are good/sensible.

[Ravishing]

Strongly disagree, Clottey isn't active enough to beat Pacquiao. It isn't crazy to think Pacquiao could beat Clottey. You'd be overrating Clottey, not Pacquiao.

Clottey's a bad style match up for any WW just based on his style and size. Even if Floyd were to fight Clottey it wouldn't be a virtuoso performance from Mayweather either. Clottey's just a rough and rugged fighter who may lose a fight here and there, but is without question a tough SOB to get in the ring with. I personally don't see Pacquiao just using his speed and getting out of the way, nor do I see it in the Cotto fight either. He likes to fight and doesn't like backing up.

But to answer the thread, yea you'd have to put Pacquiao as one of the top WWs off GP. Question is whether or not he'll fight a Berto, Mosley, or Floyd from then on.

[Doctor_Tenma]

imho no

cause pac ain't a true WW. he can make 140 lbs easy.

He can't be elite because he can still make 140?

[taino78]

just by beating cotto, no. pac will need to win a couple more fights at 147 against notable guys to be considered an elite ww

[1pretty boy1]

it's simple cuz if he beats cotto-guy that known like ww elite fighter,he will become elite ww.

[Doctor_Tenma]

Clottey's a bad style match up for any WW just based on his style and size. Even if Floyd were to fight Clottey it wouldn't be a virtuoso performance from Mayweather either. Clottey's just a rough and rugged fighter who may lose a fight here and there, but is without question a tough SOB to get in the ring with. I personally don't see Pacquiao just using his speed and getting out of the way, nor do I see it in the Cotto fight either. He likes to fight and doesn't like backing up.

But to answer the thread, yea you'd have to put Pacquiao as one of the top WWs off GP. Question is whether or not he'll fight a Berto, Mosley, or Floyd from then on.

If anyone has the speed and power to get their straight threw that guard, it's Mayweather and Pacquiao. Mayweather vs. Clottey doesn't spell entertainment though. I could see Pacquiao beating Clottey on activity alone and then moving to the side. There are faster guys out there who couldn't touch Pacquiao. I don't see Clottey being fast enough to catch up to Pacquiao or Mayweather.

Pacquiao has showed interest in facing Mayweather. So maybe it'll go down.

[Maidana vs Rios]

I say no. First of all, it's at a catchweight. Second of all, I don't see Pac ever getting in the ring with someone like Marg or PW. To be elite, you'd have to be able to envision him against anyone in the division, including big guys like those two. Lil Pac is too small. Can you imagine Pac vs Mosley at 147? I can't see it.

The question is moot anyway. Pac ain't gonna spend more time at WW or any other division. He has one or two fights left. Floyd and/or Mosley, and both will probably be at catchweight, especially Mosley.

[Doctor_Tenma]

I say no. First of all, it's at a catchweight. Second of all, I don't see Pac ever getting in the ring with someone like Marg or PW. To be elite, you'd have to be able to envision him against anyone in the division, including big guys like those two. Lil Pac is too small. Can you imagine Pac vs Mosley at 147? I can't see it.

The question is moot anyway. Pac ain't gonna spend more time at WW or any other division. He has one or two fights left. Floyd and/or Mosley, and both will probably be at catchweight, especially Mosley.

Margarito has been off for a very long time and Paul is facing Pavlik @ 160. How do we even know if both can even make 147? I can't see Pacquiao beating SSM not because of size but because of SSM's durability. SSM doesn't have the foot speed but he does have the hand speed and durability to catch Pacquiao BIG at some point.