Manny might fight Cotto before the winner of July 18th!

[Bomp]

It's a good match up for Arum, if Pac loses Cotto will have elevated himself back to the top, if he gets past Clottey as well of course. Bit of a risk for Pac though, considering how much he could make with PBF.

Pac will be able to outspeed him all night with enough power to keep Cotto honest. However, wedidn't know how well he can take a huge shot at 140+ before last week, and we still don't now. Cotto has a crippling left hook, and has enough defens and ring smarts to last long enough to test Pac out in that department.

[The Fightfan]

I would much rather see Mayweather Pacquiao.

[sanchez786]

I really don't understand what is going on the boxing world. This makes absolutely no sense whatsover.

Cotto (who happens to me fav fighter) should NOT be fighting the much smaller Pacman. I think Cotto would DESTROY Pac (and I'm a huge fan of Pacman as well) within 6 rounds. He will outweigh Pac (at fight night) by at least 15lbs.

WTH will be the next fight possibility for Pacman Dawson? Pavlik? I know Money talks but to have top contenders in one division fight top contenders that are 2-3 weight class ABOVE their weight class simply because it 'MAKES MONEY' ala PBF is ridiculous.

As a boxing fan, I would like to see Pac fight JMM and PBF to fight the likes of Cotto/Mosley. If you want to deviate from your weight class, then it should be realistic but to have a 135lb like Pac fight a very solid 147lb in Cotto (who comes in at 160lb easy) is ridiculous.

[OumaFan]

Maybe Cotto would be too strong but I think Manny could be a bit of a nightmare for Cotto.

Quick feet versus fairly slow feet, darting in and out, punches from awkward angles, could especially see the right hook giving Cotto problems.

[OumaFan]

Haha, could you imagine if Manny actually fought Cotto and PBF back to back, pure insanity.

[BIG H]

Haha, could you imagine if Manny actually fought Cotto and PBF back to back, pure insanity.

If he did and he won, I'd put him above SRR

But seriously, I would put my house on Cotto beating Pac

[OumaFan]

Haha, could you imagine if Manny actually fought Cotto and PBF back to back, pure insanity.

If he did and he won, I'd put him above SRR

But seriously, I would put my house on Cotto beating Pac

Its madness, still I give Manny a better shot against Cotto than some guys around that weight.

Prime example, how silly would a Paul Williams-Manny Pacquaio fight look

[sanchez786]

Maybe Cotto would be too strong but I think Manny could be a bit of a nightmare for Cotto.

Quick feet versus fairly slow feet, darting in and out, punches from awkward angles, could especially see the right hook giving Cotto problems.

I really don't think Manny would be able to connect the right hook on Cotto as many may think. Cotto keeps his hands like earmuffs...from what I've seen, his weakspot is the uppercut and that is again, because he keeps his hands up like earmuffs. I don't recall Manny being known for his uppercut but then again, no one really knew much about his right hook until after the Hatton fight. Regardless...I think Cotto will be too big/too strong and yes, contrary to what others might say, Cotto is quite fast as well.

[OumaFan]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

[sanchez786]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

I can't recall if it was a hook when Corley had Cotto doing the chicken dance but that fight was a long time ago. Cotto has improved leaps and bounds from that point. Don't get me wrong, I would watch this fight if it happened but IMO, it would be nothing but a farce.

[blegit]

Cotto's got pretty good defense for a fighter that pressures a lot like you say but he could get tagged with the right while he's throwing punches, especially considering Manny's so fast.

Look at the first knockdown in the Hatton fight, Hatton starts his left hook before Manny started the right hook. Granted I'm not sure that's a good example cause Cotto doesn't cock his like Hatton does but its doesn't change the fact that I think could still be caught between shots.

Unless I'm mistaken didn't Corley hurt Cotto with a right hook coming in?

Yes, it was a right hook that Corley had Cotto very hurt on. Cotto was almost out on his feet. But that right hook coming from a left hander to a standard fighter is a longer punch to land but a weird punch so if he lands solid it will cause problems. But Pac looked every second to land that right hook on Hatton(and did) and I'm sure Cotto seen that. And he is a very intelligent fighter so I think he'd be well prepared for that punch.

[Taeth]

Maybe Cotto would be too strong but I think Manny could be a bit of a nightmare for Cotto.

Quick feet versus fairly slow feet, darting in and out, punches from awkward angles, could especially see the right hook giving Cotto problems.

I really don't think Manny would be able to connect the right hook on Cotto as many may think. Cotto keeps his hands like earmuffs...from what I've seen, his weakspot is the uppercut and that is again, because he keeps his hands up like earmuffs. I don't recall Manny being known for his uppercut but then again, no one really knew much about his right hook until after the Hatton fight. Regardless...I think Cotto will be too big/too strong and yes, contrary to what others might say, Cotto is quite fast as well.

Pacquiao wouldn't land the right hook, he would be landing his danger punches on Cotto, his left uppercut and his left cross. Cotto is very fast with his hands and his reflexes, no doubt, but he just doesn't have the footspeed, Pacquiao is basically fighting with the same body he faced Marquez with at 130, he weighed in at 145 for that fight, that is 3 pounds less than against De La HOya and Hatton. I just think that lack of weight gives him a huge speed advantage. Guys like MAyweather also have all the speed in the world, but Mayweather is so good defensively off the ropes I feel he has gotten complacent, and he doens't make an effort anymore to stay off the ropes.

IMO its not Pacquiao power or handspeed that has really trumped his opponents, its his footspeed and constant movement, I have been saying for years that Zab Judah would be a great fighter if he just moved his feet, well Pacquiao has a way better offensive arsenal, and he does move his feet with similar athletic ability. I don't think its only his handspeed that is so beguiling, I think he ability to create distance when his opponent doesn't want him to, and to close that gap coming in with his assault. IMO footspeed is the most underrated and underused to tool.

All that being said in its great redundancy, I feel that Cotto is a 40/60 type underdog simply because he is Cotto, IMO only Mayweather clearly beats Cotto nearly every time they would step into the ring. Cotto has good handspeed and great timing, and he does the best body work in boxing. I will argue all day that I adamantly don't believe Hatton hurt Pacquiao at all, but I think Pacquiao admitted that he definitely felt Hatton's power, well Cotto hits twice as hard as Hatton, and he is more accurate(also better at throwing combinations). If Cotto can cut off the ring effectively, and take minimal clean shots, I think he would do quite well against Manny.

[GAME]

Cotto , Shane and Floyd would be dead at the weight if they boiled down to 144. Pac would have a huge advantage. Only Oscar was stupid enough to drain himself of all his energy and strength. If Pac wont go to welter then he doesnt get a superfight .

Pacs only big fight may be a third against Marquez coming off a loss to Floyd. Thats if he is unwilling to fight at welter.

[p4pking]

First off it's by no means a given that Cotto will beat Clottey imo, that should be a war although I do favour Cotto.. But regardless Im inclined to think this is just a bargaining chip for Arum to make negotiations run more smoothly with Floyd. The Mayweather fight will bring in way more cash for all parties involved, it's way to big not to happen at this point and Cotto is far to risky a fight to put Manny in with beforehand. To say he'll fight Floyd after he beats Cotto is just gobshite from a promotional standpoint imo. Although I do for some reason see Manny beating Cotto something fierce, it's still not worth risking the showdown with Floyd.

[Rantcatrat]

Sanchez had a good first post.

I just can't believe Pacquiao may fight Cotto before PBF. How ridiculous is that? We discussed Cotto v. PBF in what, 2006, and PBF still hasn't fought him.

The size differences between Cotto/PBF and Pacquiao is great. Cotto and PBF would have to agree to fight at or around 140, but even then, the size disparity would be significant.

Cotto needs to get past Clottey first who is upset-minded. In fact, as of now, I'm not convinced Cotto is back from his crushing defeat at the hands (or bricks) of Margarito - coupled with the problems with his Uncle, indeed, Clottey may have picked the perfect time for an upset.