It Will Be Really Interesting To See How Cotto Handles Pac's Speed

[2501]

It's true that Pacquiao really hasn't fought anyone with Cotto's size and power. The closest to a prime, bigger and stronger fighter Pac has faced would have to be Hatton. But Hatton is no Cotto. But it can also be said that Cotto has never faced anyone like Pacquiao.

The advantages that Pac has over Cotto are speed, stamina and agility. Obviously, Pac doesn't have more power than Cotto, but he can punch faster for longer periods of time and do it from many angles. Cotto has fought other boxers who were fast and were great athletes. Quintana, Judah and Clottey have fast hands. But let's use the fastest of them for example..

Judah. Judah, you ask? Yeah, Cotto did make him submit. As he did Quintana. But Judah has been the fastest opponent of Cotto's and was able to hurt him with his speed. When you compare fighters, in this instance, you want to compare their abilities. Zab and Pac do not have the same fighting style, but they are both great athletes who are incredibly fast.

Cotto was hurt badly by Zab, but he was successful large in part because Zab, in true Judah fashion, became less and less offensive. He began to retreat, allowing Cotto to get close to him by not using his boxing ability and speed avoid danger. Would Pac do the same?

We've never, ever seen Pac stay in the pocket and allow infighting. Hatton tried, but smothered himself going STRAIGHT to Pac. Cotto doesn't do that. He relies on power and a boxer/puncher style to get to the body to wear his opponent down. But, Pac stays on an outside perimeter where he uses his speed to strike and exit against larger opponents who are slower than him.

Cotto's best bet will be to counter punch Manny as he comes in, but to be effective, you need to be a quick and accurate counter punch who is a hell of a timer. Is Cotto that? If he can't do this, does he have the stamina to constantly track Manny down? Will he have the endurance to withstand stinging left hands as he does so? Remember, Pac doesn't have to be as powerful as Judah or Margarito to do enough damage to hurt Cotto. I'm not saying Cotto has ZERO chance. All Cotto has to do is land some CLEAN and HARD punches and he may be able to get Manny out of there. But the question is, will he be ABLE to?

I don't think he will. I think Manny will keep to the outside utilizing his improved boxing skills and tag Cotto continuously darting in and out of danger. I'm not sure he will be able to KO Cotto, but I'm leaning towards Manny for the win. But hey, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong and yall can bump this.

My prediction record for notable fights.

Mayweather > JMM by UD
Arreolla > Klitcho by KO (LOL)
Cotto > Clottey by SD
Pacquiao > Hatton by MD
Pacquiao > Marquez by UD
Malignaggi > Hatton by UD
Calzaghe > Hopkins by SD
Margarito > Mosley by TKO
Margarito > Cotto by TKO

[MANGLER]

Sooner or later, Pac will get nailed wit sumthin big. I just don't see him bein able to take it. Long as he remains elusive he got it in the bag. But I think Cotto gets to him inside 6. He better, or he's ****ed.

[TRAVI$]

I'm more interested in seeing the first flush Cotto jab landing... Cotto needs to assert himself early on in the fight.

[Shattered Jaw]

After watching Pac/Hatton and Pac/DLH again today I have decided that this fight will be an all out war. I see Pac UDing Cotto or perhaps stopping him late.

I also think Pac's defense and chin will be fine.

[Pullcounter]

cotto is too big, he should be able to walk through combos... its a mismatch.

[BOOMbip]

It's pretty much what makes this fight interesting....


It seems to me that the Dela Hoya fight has made everybody believe that Pacquiao is unhittable when the truth is that he may have been in there with a fighter that just couldn't pull the trigger anymore...

Hatton landed against Pac while he was in there...in his sloppy chin first style...Cotto will be in better positions to land certainly then Hatton.

Yes Pac's overall boxing skills have improved...but he's no sweet P with the D...He often over reaches and lunges in from to far leaving himself exposed...Against a bigger stronger man with good timing this could be a very bad thing.

Yes Manny can dart in and out on a Trigger less Dela Hoya and David Diaz and land impressive combo's without being touched....But against a live elite WW that style might get his head countered off...

Anyway I see what your saying...and the perception of Pac being a "untouchable lightining bolt" has made this fight a lot more interesting then it probably should be....I have Cotto winning obviously...but like you said if i'm wrong ill eat my crow and move on.

[TRAVI$]

It seems to me that the Dela Hoya fight has made everybody believe that Pacquiao is unhittable when the truth is that he may have been in there with a fighter that just couldn't pull the trigger anymore...

As good as Pac is, this is very true...
DLH said he was annoyed with himself because Manny was there to be hit, especially to the body, but he just couldn't pull the trigger.

[oc9979]

when was Cotto hurt badly in the Judah fight??
The first round Judah stunned him but Cotto was throwing punches back

[-MAKAVELLI-]

i think PAC's underrated and sometimes overlooked right hook is gonna play a big factor in this bout...there were times in the Corley fight, for example, that he was able to land that....

[Shattered Jaw]

i think PAC's underrated and sometimes overlooked right hook is gonna play a big factor in this bout...there were times in the Corley fight, for example, that he was able to land that....

You mean Cotto or Pac? I assume you mean Pac as it's the lead hook but he never fought Corley....