This Saturday, from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, two of the sports most popular and most exciting boxers will square off in what looks like a sure fight of the year candidate. Manny Pacquiao, who is widely considered to be the best pound for pound boxer in the world, is moving up in weight in an attempt to capture a record seven titles in seven different weight classes. Pacquiao has a chance to make boxing history but his opponent is not going to make it easy on him. Miguel Cotto is also one of the best pound for pound sluggers in boxing, in addition to being naturally bigger than Pacquiao. Both men typically make for exciting fights and both men have highlight reel knockouts on their resume. Cotto has a record of 34-1, 27 KO’s, and has fought with a world title on the line in 15 consecutive bouts dating back to 2004, all against world title caliber opposition. Pacquiao has a record of 49-3-2, 37 KO’s, and has been undefeated against hall of fame caliber opposition since 2005.
The team of writers at RSR offer their predictions for this much anticipated mega fight.
Geno McGahee
This is a great fight but the speed of Manny Pacquiao combined with the momentum and confidence is enough to overcome Cotto. Cotto may be reluctant to engage and that will cost him. He will take a slow beating, crumbling in the sixth round. Manny by TKO in 6.
Mike”Myers” Boehm
There happens to be so many argumentative angles that would ultimately prove either fighter has a chance. As for my prediction, I believe that both fighters have means to adjust to one another throughout the fight. Consequently, based on the track record of each fighter in regards to speed, adjustments, and opposition; I’m going with Manny Pacquiao by TKO in round 9.
Geoff “The Professor” Poundes
I’ve been dreading this moment – putting down on paper a prediction for this fight. I just can’t make up my mind. I’m worried for Pacquiao that his preparations have been disrupted, and because he’s much the smaller fighter jumping yet another chasm in poundage. I’m worried for Cotto because Manny is so damn fast, and in his last fight he struggled to handle Clottey’s speed, and because I think he’s easier to hit than he should be.
In a sense I’d like to see Pacquiao win because I want to see him share a ring with Floyd Mayweather, but I’d like to see Cotto win because that would confirm the laws of physics and common sense and good old fashioned mantra’s like “a good big’un will always beat a good littl’un”. But I’ve called against Pacquiao in his last few fights, and been made a fool of, so this time I’m going to give it to him, on points, in a humdinger of a fight. That probably means Cotto will knock him out in a couple of rounds, but what the heck!
Gina L. Caliboso
I choose Pacquiao! In order to win, Pacquiao needs to utilize his speed and box – move in and out with solid, 3-4 punch combinations to Cotto’s head and body. Pacquiao also needs to cultivate his defenses and not back away from any punches Cotto may throw. However, since Cotto is strong, Pacquiao will not do well against the ropes and must stay in the middle of the ring and work a combination that involves his hook to the head and power crosses to both the head and body of Cotto. Throw in a couple of uppercuts too and Pacquiao just may overwhelm Cotto. Pacquiao in 10 rounds over Cotto with a KO or TKO.
Jeff Stoyanoff
Pacquiao has to move in this fight. The longer he stands in front of Cotto the more likely Cotto will be able to land clean shots. Cotto is an excellent counter puncher and a tremendous fighter on the inside. So, if Pacquiao gets into exchanges it gives Cotto his best shot to dominate the action. Fortunately for Pacquiao, he moves extremely well. That movement along with his advantage in hand speed should allow him to get off first.
I expect Manny to come out fast and take the early rounds. He might even stun Cotto early as has happened to Miguel before in fights. In the middle rounds, Cotto should start to come on and make it more of a fight as Manny tires just a little. By the end, it should evolve into a thrilling contest of wills with both men landing successfully as it becomes more of a war of attrition. However, Pacquiao will move enough and land enough to gut out the win. Pacquiao by a tight unanimous decision, something like 115-113 on all cards.
Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
My gut says Manny Pacquiao by stunning knockout – very, very early.
Dan “Tex” Cohen
Manny is on one of the greatest momentum rolls in the history of boxing right now. Cotto has a modest winning streak going, but he has not looked the same after the Antonio Margarito fight: His punch output and his speed have both been way down. As tough a customer as Joshua Clottey is, Cotto would have beaten him post to post two years ago. This time around, Clottey damn near pulled off the upset.
Cotto’s best shot is to land the left hook to the body. The problem is, I don’t see Manny hanging in the pocket long enough to take a body shot. By the time Manny is slowing down, Cotto will be going two miles per hour from all the shots to the chops. Pacquiao will hit from all angles for all of the fight, which should last more than nine but less than twelve. Pacquiao takes home a late stoppage victory in this one.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
I have been eagerly awaiting this fight for some time now. Folks that are totally ruling out Miguel Cotto to win this one are way off. He is without a doubt, a live dog in this fight. My gut is telling me Miguel will pull off the upset here, but I have to go with Manny Pacquiao because he proved me wrong in the Oscar De La Hoya fight and big time in the Ricky Hatton one. When the dust clears, Manny by 10th round TKO, but with his bumps and bruises he will take from Cotto and maybe even a knockdown to boot.
Brian Wilbur
I almost changed my prediction at the last minute seeing that nobody had picked Miguel Cotto. I thought it would unfair to Cotto and his legitimate chances for RSR to unanimously pick Pacquiao. However I must stay true to my original prediction. I see vulnerabilities in Miguel Cotto, especially his chin in the early rounds and his stamina in the final rounds. Cotto has faded several times in fights where he dominated early.
Both men will be able to land some big power shots and I think both will be able to stand up to them. Cotto will be in the fight for a while but against a non stop buzz saw like Pacquiao, stamina issues are the last thing you need. I’ll take Pacquiao by late round stoppage.
