I think its a good move by freddie. Understanding that his underweight, undersized fighter is fighting a welterweight close enough to the limit... Freddie understands that his fighter is giving up size and power, so he's banking on speed and movement and combinations to pick apart Cotto.

Unfortunately a shot to the cups, not a floyd forearm or or a hatton clinch or a ruiz jab n' grab... or even a non cutting headbutt. Its not something that can be reaffirmed to the ref after the round is over. Roach knows Cottos M.O. and he knows that if Cotto goes to the cup on his fighter, his whole game plan goes out the window.

A shot to the cup especially by a physically bigger power puncher will freeze his fighter and expose him to heavy shots when he cant protect himself. Even low blows that are not on the cup take away his fighters legs and mobility and leave pacquaio a sitting duck for cottos body attack. Its a classic tactic used by big punchers and knuckle draggers with heavy feet, that couldnt deal with movement. Take away the guys legs and hes forced to stand and trade with you where you have the advantage. He wont get an immediate suspension, but hes going for the strictest penalty hope to make everyone aware. The ref will know when and where to look for it and Cottos more likely to keep his punches high. Its a bit of genius against someone who relies on the body attack as much as Cotto because even legal punches that are close to the border can get Cotto a warning and take away his primary weapon.