Manny Pacquiao not concerned with size, feels Cotto is slow

The press conference at Yankee Stadium with Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao produced a lot of great photo opportunities, likely empty talk of bringing boxing to the newly-built venue, and some good quotes. Most important might have been from Pacquiao himself:

"He’s strong and can punch, but he’s not that fast. The size isn't that big of a difference, but size doesn't matter. We just need to see who's the best in the ring."

This is just talk, and talk is what it is, but if Pacquiao really feels that Cotto can't keep up with him, he might be getting himself in trouble. No, Cotto is not traditionally fast, but he cuts off the ring well, uses angles exceptionally well, and has neutralized faster fighters in the past, including Freddie Roach's favorite reference, Shane Mosley.

Cotto is also smart, tough, and honestly fights like a veteran beyond his years in the ring, though he's no green youngster or anything. For anyone questioning his toughness, remember that Antonio Margarito* had to lay in a metric ton of punishment before he broke Cotto, and that Miguel took great shots from Mosley and kept going, and that Joshua Clottey had him fighting with one good eye and couldn't finish the job.

As much as I've harped on Pacquiao definitely having his work cut out for him, I've probably not said quite enough that Cotto obviously does, too. Pacquiao is regarded as the best fighter in the sport for a very good reason. He's a special fighter who has no obvious weaknesses, and Cotto is going to have to work really hard to find Pacquiao with his power shots. That's why this is such a great fight, and I really still have absolutely no clue who I'm favoring.