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

[Quinito]

Roach said they'll no longer climb at 147. So I guess Cotto, Mosley, and PBF gonna have to go down at 144 if they really want a piece of pacman.

[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.

[sanchez786]

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.

True, Cotto does have to get pass Clottey and that will be a test and a half in itself. If things DO pan out like they should however, Cotto SHOULD win.

Even though Pacman would be able to dictate the terms in a fight with Cotto, there is no way Cotto would be able to make 140lbs. He would be in serious trouble and would likely get KO'd by Pac due to being severly weight drained . I can't fault Pac either for wanting to fight at 140lb because again, that would be a reasonable weight for him to fight at. Conclusion? these 2 should NOT fight each other. Give the boxing fans what they want and make it realistic...PBF vs either Cotto/Mosley and Pac vs JMM!

[OumaFan]

I think it was but that's a bit beside the point, Manny will land his punches, straight lefts, right hooks, Cotto's solid defensively but he's not invisible and Manny is clearly one of the most dynamic offensive fighters around.

I don't think its anything near a farce, Manny has shown that he can carry his power, but that's my opinion, we'll see. Either way, If I was Cotto I would insist on it being at 147, if he's drained he's getting taken out. Since Roach and Manny probably won't go to 147 this whole thing is probably a moot point.

[OumaFan]

Sanchez beat me to the point on the weight.

I wonder even how well he'd manage something like 143-144.

[sanchez786]

Sanchez beat me to the point on the weight.

I wonder even how well he'd manage something like 143-144.

The problem with the catch weight is the inevitable excuses that can follow with the loser of the fight. If Cotto loses he 'may' say he was weight drained and he fights best at 147lb...If Pac loses he 'may' say he fights best at 135lbs.

Add to the fact that we will NOT be seeing the BEST the fighter has to offer meaning, Cotto has proven his BEST at 147lbs...Pac has proven his BEST at 135bls. At a catch weight either, or both fighters 'may' lose some of there ability due to being outside the weight range where they feel most comfortable with. I feel as boxing fans, we would be short changed for not seeing our favorite fighter perform at his most optimum potential. I apologize as I'm now sounding like a broken record so I'll cut my rant right here.

[OumaFan]

maybe so, I'm not sure that 140 isn't Manny's best, a bit hard to tell as he's only had one fight at each.

But I agree that 147 is where Cotto needs to stay.

[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.

[Taeth]

Why would Floyd have any trouble whatsoever making 144? He comes into the ring around 148 like Pacquiao, he wouldn't have a hard time at all making 144, I think Mosley and Cotto would have more difficulty, especially Cotto who is supposedly around 165 coming into the ring.

I don't think Pacquiao will make them fight at a catch weight, the more his opponent weighs the better for him IMO, It will just slow them down.

[TitoFan]

I hope that fight happens first, if Manny fought Maywether first and won I dont think Manny would fight Cotto. I dont think he'll ever fight Shane regardless but Cotto is a great match up...I hope he destroys Cotto too

I know you do. And I hope to see you here after the fight.

[blegit]

Why would Floyd have any trouble whatsoever making 144? He comes into the ring around 148 like Pacquiao, he wouldn't have a hard time at all making 144, I think Mosley and Cotto would have more difficulty, especially Cotto who is supposedly around 165 coming into the ring.

I don't think Pacquiao will make them fight at a catch weight, the more his opponent weighs the better for him IMO, It will just slow them down.

Yeah, PBF would have no trouble making 144. PBF/JMM is at a catch weight 143 or 144 I forgot. PBF is a very small welterweight so they would try to drag him down to 140. Roach and Pac are very crafty and they would fight Cotto at less than 147 in hopes of draining him. At 144, Cotto would not be as effective so it would be interesting. At 147 he would destroy Pac. Pac would have to land early and often otherwise Cotto would wear him down. Cotto is not a dumb fighter and he does adapt. Cotto is very strong and not just his punches. He can box a bit and he focuses extremely well.

[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.

[blegit]

Cotto should beat Clottey but people shouldn't be counting that as a given. And even if Cotto did win after his beating from the "plaster hands" and then a possible war with Clottey he may end up being close to shot. After those two tough battles he would be a fool to compound that with draining himself to less than 147. And Roach already said he won't let Pac go back to 147. So Cotto would have to come down.

[XaduBoxer]

It's a possibility but it's not the fight for PAC that I wanted most... Tho I like PAC's chances against Cotto...

Some notes on this PAC-Cotto fight:
- Cotto's weaknesses is PAC's strength (stamina, southpaw, get hit a lot)
- catch weight of 144 lbs.
- even if Cotto get past Clottey, I think Cotto will be softened enough by Clottey...
- PAC's speed is still the key
- PAC can brag to PBF that he's fighting the boxer that PBF avoided...

Having said that, I still think this fight won't happen since I think Clottey will upset Cotto...
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