I mean, not being on the same level as Manny doesn’t make you a bad fighter… I thought Hatton looked sharp, looked lively, was up on his toes, was aggressive….

Just because Pacquiao took him apart does not mean to me that Hatton is anything but the number #2 in the division. I’d still take him over Bradley, I’d still take him over Khan, I’d still take him over Campbell. Strangely enough, the one in the division I think would be a bad match for him would be Maidana, cos the guy hits like a mule.

I suggest that people should have anouther look at the Hatton/Pac-man fight, and see if there is another fighter in the division that you would pick to beat a Hatton that looked that sharp. He lost the fight not because he was bad, but because Manny was fucking brilliant, in my opinion.

Dangerous, dangerous fight for both guys, in my opinion. I don’t pay attention to those who sell Cotto short in this match-up, or those who say he’s “damaged goods.” I think it’s interesting how there have been two very different interpretations of his fight against Clottey. The less-educated one being that he failed to dominate a “no-name” opponent, and thus, will likely get dominated by a truly elite fighter like Pacquiao. The second interpretation, advanced by those who at least claim to be faithful followers, careful observers of the sport, depicts Cotto overcoming a bad gash and subsequent vision impairment to pull out win against one of the most physical imposing men in the division (the other guy would be Paul Williams, obviously – but for different reasons. I honestly think Clottey is one of the strongest welters out there). It was a tough night, and a good win for Miguel Cotto, I thought. Cotto did not look spectacular because Clottey is a tough SOB. Least, that’s how I look at it.

Manny has his work cut out for him here, certainly; Cotto has taken welter-sized shots for a few years now, as well as given them. I don’t expect a blow out ala Hatton. Plus, Cotto has displayed ring-smarts and versatility that we rarely expect from a “move-forward, body banger.” That being said, I still don’t think a Marquez comparison is necessarily warranted. Marquez stands as one of best boxing minds of his generation. Cotto is an associate professor. Marquez is the dean of the department. Plus Juan Manuel just brings different weapons, the most impressive being perhaps one of the smartest right hands in the game (along with Floyd’s, Bernard’s, and Toney’s). He can throw that thing every which way, which of course, is a nightmare for southpaws like Manny. Cotto’s right? Nothing special. Effective, but very short, and not his best punch by any means. Cotto is still left-hand dominant, which will be a huge factor in this fight, in my opinion.

Body punching? For some time now, people have been saying that Pacquiao doesn’t like to get hit there, and that that’s where opponents oughta go. The only one who ever got any work done to the body on THIS version of Manny was…you guessed it: Marquez. And that’s not because he focused on the body, it’s because Manny was so busy warding off brilliant combos to the head, his body was left open. And even then, I don’t think the body punches bothered him half as much as the sneaky rights Marquez was landing on him all night. Sure, Cotto is the much heavier body puncher, but he’s got to touch Manny first, and he can’t do that without getting close, and he can’t get close without risking getting strafed by Manny. In other words, Cotto’s supposed “best weapon” can only be employed as he exposes himself to Manny’s own best stuff. Does he use angles better than Hatton does? Yes. But I think Manny’s own improved “angle-work” as well as his foot speed neutralizes that.

I really do think that at the end of the night, the ROACH factor will be huge. He’s seen something exploitable in Cotto (as opposed to Marquez who, in a personal conversation I’d had with Freddie years back, before the 1st Pac-JMM fight, was quoted to be ‘damn near perfect. That guy can fight his ass off. Very few mistakes.’ — I’m paraphrasing, but that’s pretty much what he said). He’s picked de la Hoya, Hatton, Cotto – every one of them, left-hand dominant.

Still, tough, tough fight to call. Cotto is more than a “live dog” here. He’s got a lot of heart, and he’s plenty smart. He’s a genuine threat, and screw the whole Manny deserves to be the favorite going in mentality. I say it’s even.

It’s more than valid to say we don’t know how Pacman will handle a true welterweights punching but its not inappropriate to say we have yet to see what Pacman will bring to the table.

When Pac fought Hatton he literally destroyed him in 2 rounds. Even if you predicted Pac would defeat Hatton few people thought he would KO him in such brutal fashion let alone in 2 rounds.

It is amazing to see Pac fighting at a weight class where Hatton is generally considered the best and I don’t think anybody at 140 or 147 would KO Hatton in that fashion in 2 rounds flat. Say what you will about Hatton but he wouldn’t be on the recieving end like that with any other boxer including Cotto.

The Roach factor ha to be taken into account without a doubt though. Even if you put Pacman and Cotto as equals Freddie Roach tips the scale for Pacman.

He’s probably watching and rewatching every Cotto fight analysing small details trying to work out how and where to strike. He’s just a fantastic coach he really defines the smarts that go into devising good plans by breaking down a boxers anatomy and attacking his weaknesses.

I think this fight will be close but thats what I said about the De La Hoya and Hatton fights. Most people were less conservative than me by saying DLH would destroy Pacman and Hatton would KO Pac via bodyshot.

Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach once said after the DLH fight, that if you think Pacman is powerful at 147, he’d be more lethal at 140, and confidently added that Pac could demolish Hatton and Mayweather quicker than he did to DLH at the 140 range. Lee beard, Hatton’s co-trainer was also quoted in saying "Hatton was in perfect condition fighting pacquiao, even better than he was fighting mayweather, but after seeing Pacquiao’s condition in the ring, he thought he’s (PACMAN) impossible to beat. He simply saw a faster, more powerful fighter that can absorb punches and can bounce back stronger. That’s the fighter COTTO will face and that’s why I’m rooting for Pacquiao.

This will be the end of Cotto. The same outcome as D.L.H.. If you watched his last fight it’s apparent that this guy is still shell shocked. They only gave him that fight because Clottey couldn’t beat a one eyed fighter in which he should have.This will be a 4th round knockout due to excessive hand speed. Mayweather / Pac man in 2010 and the two of them will stickup the world for revenue… Me included!!