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

[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.