Cotto-Pacquiao: Six Days Away
by SC on Nov 8, 2009 2:02 PM EST
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34 comments
We've said that mega fights don't get any better than this. We've heard Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach talk big about an early knockout. We know about the issues Pacquiao has had around him during camp. We've heard Cotto's side talk about his size advantage.
We've got six more days of talk. And then next Saturday night in Las Vegas, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao have to get down to business and fight one another.
This is one of those weeks where I think we sit back and go, "Wow. This fight is really happening."
Not even two years ago, fights like this were crazy dream matches. Manny Pacquiao at welterweight (or close enough) against Miguel Cotto? Pacquiao won the 130-pound world championship against Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008. He moved up and won a lightweight strap by dominating David Diaz that summer.
And then, when Oscar de la Hoya had an opening after Floyd Mayweather's "retirement," Pacquiao did what was then unthinkable: Moved all the way up to 147 pounds and not only beat the "Golden Boy," but demoralized, battered, assaulted, embarrassed and retired him.
Pacquiao was already popular, already beloved, already respected across the world. Now he was a phenom. A two-round knockout of 140-pound world champion Ricky Hatton followed in May 2009, and then we were left to wonder, "What's next?"
Could it be Floyd? Would it be a third fight with Marquez?
Enter Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican warrior who after all this time is still being overlooked by too many. Some assume Pacquiao will truck through him. Some say Cotto is "shot," which is ridiculous.
But as much as I think Cotto is even underrated by many today, I also still have no idea who will win this fight, or how it will play out. And by "I have no idea," I mean I can't make up my mind.
One thing keeps playing in my mind, though, and I know it won't be popular with the Pacquiao superfans, but I've said it before. When he was hit by Oscar and Hatton -- which wasn't much -- he felt it. He clearly felt it. Miguel Cotto will hit him unless Pacquiao can smash him the way he did to Hatton. Cotto will be more aggressive than Oscar was. Cotto will be better than Hatton was. I am sure of both of those things, as sure as I can be.
So what does Pacquiao do when in a potential war with a real welterweight? What does Cotto do against the blinding speed of Pacquiao? Who cracks first?
That's why this fight is so great. I don't know. I just don't know what happens, but I'm expecting something sensational.
Six days, folks. That's all we have left before we find out.
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I think I agree
What makes this fight so compelling is that I believe in the heart and chin of Cotto. I think he’s still got something to prove, and if nothing else, he will hit Pac more than DLH and Hatton did.
I can’t make up my mind either. I want Cotto to win, just because I feel bad for him on one hand, and I really like some of the shit he does in the ring. It’s a relatable style, the way he’ll duck in with both hands up just to see what the other guy will throw, and then drop back. And of course Manny’s Manny. I don’t know, both these guys are badass, I’ll be happy and kind of sad that either will lose.
But, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a war. I don’t think Pac can just steam-roll Cotto, and I don’t think Cotto will be able to connect consecutively, at least early on, to quickly finish Pac. gonna be great.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 8, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can totally identify with this comment. I really like both fighters, and regardless of who wins, I’d like to see the loser come out of it with his honor/dignity intact and not too damaged physically.
There’s been a lot of talk about Cotto’s propensity to be caught by punches (especially uppercuts) through the middle of his guard. But even if Cotto has failed to address that problem, I don’t know how easily Pacquiao will be able to take advantage of it. Margarito and Clottey could do it because they had iron chins and could stand in the pocket and trade with Cotto. Can Pacquiao do the same? Maybe his speed would allow him to exploit that issue in a different way. On the other hand, if he felt Oscar’s punches and Hatton’s punches, then maybe not…
by taco pal on Nov 8, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
watching 24/7, i dont like all the bullshit thats going on in mannys camp, it could have a big effect on the fight and his preparation.
however, im still picking pacman by early ko. cotto is just too easy to hit, i think hes going to get blasted out and stopped.
its going to be fun while it lasts. the atmosphere is going to be great as well.
@mikefareri on twitter.
by sonofapsycho on Nov 8, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
cotto is just too easy to hit,
finally someone has been enlightened
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
is that really the poster? miserable
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pac
I’m really looking forward to someone actually testing Pacquiao at these higher weight classes. How does he react when someone who can punch actually hits him? How will the body work effect his speed? Can he take a punch around the welterweight limit? Can Cotto neutralize his speed, ala Mosley, or will Pacman be too much? Is Cotto’s chin, that we saw in the Margacheto fight, still intact? Did Freddie Roach hand pick another perfect matchup for Pacman? Is Santiago ready for a fight of this magnitude? Lots of question, only one fight will provide answers.
by waldo47 on Nov 8, 2009 4:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know what impact it will have, but I don’t buy Santiago at all. It may not matter because Cotto may just be able to do his thing at this point in his career, but this is a huge trainer advantage to Pac.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 8, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you on that. Santiago only has 1 fight as a trainer under his belt. Also, was he even a fighter before? Roach said it best, Cotto’s basically training himself.
by steak_knife on Nov 8, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he was. From what I’ve read, he was a strength and conditioning expert who learned boxing technique by apprenticing under Evangelista.
Has there ever been a top-flight trainer who didn’t fight himself? Did Nazim ever fight? You see it from time to time in other sports (respected coaches who never played the sport on a high level themselves, like Jeff Van Gundy) but it’s hard to think of many examples from boxing. A lot of guys never fought professionally (like Emanuel Steward), but almost everyone fought amateur at least.
Now that I think of it, I don’t think Evangelista ever fought either. But I don’t know if I’d call him a top flight trainer.
by taco pal on Nov 8, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
From what I’ve read, he was a strength and conditioning expert who learned boxing technique by apprenticing under Evangelista.
He was the nutritionist and may also have had some role in strength and conditioning
by Drunken cutman on Nov 8, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh that’s right. The bald guy is the strength and conditioning coach.
by taco pal on Nov 8, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You’ve got a wee mistake in the next featured card section at the side of your site. You’ve given the records of Valuev and Haye to Pacquiao and Cotto. I guess it’s a template.
by Drunken cutman on Nov 8, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it happens. its much easier to copy and paste something and just change up the names. he prob forgot to chnge the records
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, thanks for catching it. I just forgot to switch the records.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 8, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I go back and forth about this too, but right now I’m favoring Pac based primarily on their relative trainers.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Nov 8, 2009 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it could be really big. I’m thinking less in terms of in the fight, but as far as game-planning, gotta believe Freddie’s got some serious shit cooked up.
And, watching Santiago in 24/7, especially while he was watching tape, gave me zero confidence in his ability to help devise something for Cotto.
I would’ve liked to see Cotto hire Naz. Will it be the difference? – who knows, and frankly it will be difficult to determine even after the fight.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 8, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol there was like a 20 second segment of 24/7 on Ep 2, and he’s talking with cotto’s dad about pacman from the second fight with JMM. he looked absolutely clueless
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Im the same with alot of people here. I want Pacquiao to win but im not sure if he will pull it out. Cotto has a good chin and probably been hit harder than Pac can land on him. He hit Hatton with a truck because he had the time to load up and land it on the chin as Hatton was coming in, Cotto wont give him that time.
Pac’s speed keep him going and give him rounds but he will need to damage Cotto in the begining with them fast combo’s or at least demoralise him, for as the fight goes on and Pac will start to sit on his punches Cotto will still be there working away. If Pac does his usual thing and gets into a war i dont think it will work out well. He loves to please the fans and i dont think he can box all the fight without eventualy throwing down.
It all makes for an exciting fight for so many factors. Can Pac stand up to Cotto’s shots? Can Cotto catch him? One thing for sure im counting down the days/hours for this
"Good, so it can’t go any deeper." - Arturo Gatti after being told he was cut to the bone
by sigidy on Nov 8, 2009 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know who I want to win;
I just don’t really want to see either man lose.
Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)
by Chaos100 on Nov 8, 2009 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I know who i want to win
and i want cotto to get demolished
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I gotta say,
you’ve been consistent and outspoken as shit on this one, at least your taking a position.
I watch these NFL commentators give predictions that are like – “If the Colts are able to get good pass protection, they’ll be able to move the ball, but if the Steelers can control the clock….”. It’s like – that’s not a prediction you vagina…make a statement. anyway…
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
by lcollins1 on Nov 8, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Know what the sad thing is...?
No matter what happens, Floyd Mayweather is gonna flap his gums after the fight and say the loser of Cotto-Pacquiao couldn’t hang with him while giving the winner the run around for several months.
That’s what depresses me most about this.
Of course, the only way it’d be worse is if the Pac and Cotto fought to a draw and Mayweather started dogging both of them.
"Gowin on fourth and 14 will punt it away. He hangs it very high, angling it for the near sideline...HAKIM DROPS THE BALL!!! HAKIM DROPS THE BALL!! Brian Milne might've fallen on it at the ten yard line! It's the New Orleans Saints' football! Brian Milne, the most unlikely hero of them all, falls on the fumble, the muff by Hakim! There is a God after all!" -- Jim Henderson
by hakimdropstheball on Nov 8, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If it’s close, Mayweather probably says the guy that lost really won and that it shows how inferior everyone is, so why should he even bother fighting?! It’s like, all these guys beat each other! He’s four.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 8, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
honestly i don’t want him fighting either of them anyway. mayweather vs mosley is mandatory in my mind
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Finally,just a week away. If Cotto can find a way to negate the speed of Pac just like he did to Mosley, I don’t see him losing this fight. He may get outboxed early but I see him eventually landing something big and getting the KO. Marquez almost flattened Pac with that nasty left hook and there is no way he hits as hard as Cotto.To be honest though,I’d really hate to see either guy lose as they are both a huge credit to boxing and I am a fan of both men.You can pretty much expect a great fight every time these guys get into a ring.Can’t wait !!!
Oh and I agree Mosley vs Mayweather must happen.
by Full Throttle on Nov 8, 2009 9:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
pacquiao was draining himself to get to 130 for the JMM II fight, and “almost flattened” is a bit of an exaggeration. his knee wobbled and that was it.
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Nov 8, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It just sounds like wishful thinking. I don’t see it.
by killah27 on Nov 9, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think this could be the first chapter of the best welterweight trilogy ever.
Well, I hope so anyway.
Ricky Hatton came closer to beating Manny Pacquiao than Marquez did to beating Floyd.
-SC
by The Lethal Haze on Nov 8, 2009 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Arum’s already talking March rematch if this is a great fight. I had the feeling you’re having right before Vazquez-Marquez I.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by SC on Nov 8, 2009 11:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Every Other Day
I go back and forth on this fight. Its going to be an awesome fight…..one fighter will destroy the other….it will be the best fight this year…Roach will gameplan it out….Body shots will destroy Pacquiao…Cotto’s chin hasn’t recovered from The plaster….
Still I’m going with Cotto for this reason. Pacquiao has never seen someone like Cotto, where the reverse isn’t exactly true. Pacman has never fought against a fast (fast compared to ODLH) and powerful welterweight who neutralizes speed. Whereas Cotto has been in against fast welterweights with power (Mosley).
Cotto in 10.
by waldo47 on Nov 9, 2009 4:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hate to say it.. Cotto by TKO...
I think no matter how this fight goes it’ll be a nasty brutal ending but I don’t see how Pac can win this fight.
He’s fast but Cotto is not easy to hurt by any stretch of the imagination so I can see Pac trying to eek out a points victory but everytime Pac lets those hands go he’s going to take a punch to the body. I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine anybody getting hit in the body for 12 rounds by Cotto and coming out on top.
I think Pac will come out fast and furious, turn Cotto and throw his hands. Lean in and out, catch him flush on his chin. I think he will take the first 3 or 4 rounds hands down.
I think Cotto will be patient and pick his shots. He won’t be too scared of Pac’s hands as he went toe to toe with Margarito who probably cheated and Clottey probably the strongest guy at 147 so I seriously doubt Pac can genuinely hurt him.
Cotto won’t respect Pac too much and be more than happy to stand and trade which I doubt Pac will do much if at all. So Pac wins first few rounds with his blistering speed but those bodypunches catch up with him and wind him slowing him down a little.
Things get a lot slower in the second half and the accumulative damage Cotto has done overcomes Pac to the point he gets cornered and smashed.
This fight doesn’t make a lot of sense for Pac I mean how is he planning to hurt Cotto that guys like the fucking terminator the only guy to really hurt him is the guy who may have cheated.
To make matters worse Cotto hits like a fucking mule and he times his punches exceptionally well he won’t have trouble landing on Pac, probably not as often as he does on other fighters but still enough to do damage.
Gone through this fight a dozen times in my head and I can only see one guy coming out on top unless Cotto really is shot to bits or his chin hasn’t recovered or something to that effect.
A good Cotto vs a good Pac on any night at 147 would be Cotto’s to lose. Cotto TKO’s Pac within 9 rounds. Bad, bad idea for a fight for Pac but it will be entertaining at least.
by MannyPacquiao on Nov 9, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
how is he planning to hurt Cotto that guys like the fucking terminator
So Pac wins first few rounds with his blistering speed
I’m surprised at how many people are forgetting cuts. If Pacquiao is successful early on because of his speed, which he probably will be, I won’t be at all surprised to see Cotto get cut. And then Pacquiao only needs to hit one place and seeing as his punches come from really tricky angles, are super fast, and are usually very accurate he could really capitalise on Cotto’s features breaking down.
Still just can’t decide on this one!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Nov 10, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We'll see
Cotto certainly has a line where he’s probably going to get cut a lot in the future. Pacquiao doesn’t have a history of unintentional butts, which is very unusual for a southpaw, but if Cotto is trying to attack the body inside, it certainly could happen. I mentioned it during the Clottey fight, but I do think that cut that was started in the Margarito fight and reopened in the Clottey fight is going to haunt Cotto for the rest of his career.
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by Brickhaus on Nov 10, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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