MANILA, Philippines – Here’s what they say here in Las Vegas.
Brian Viloria, reigning IBF junior-flyweight champion from the Philippines.
“I have an anxious and nervous feeling about this. I see Manny winning though but he has to be smart. Cotto is the stronger fighter. But I think Cotto will be more of the defensive fighter. It could be a chess match. Maybe they (Cotto) looked at the (Juan Manuel) Marquez fight. Cotto is strong. I’d be surprised if Manny finishes him off early. Miguel wants to prove something and he wants to prove it against Manny.”
Juan Manuel Lopez, current WBO super-bantamweight champion from Puerto Rico.
“Cotto is stronger and bigger so he will win the fight. If there’s a knockout it comes late. But I think it’s a decision. It’s going to be a difficult fight for both. For Pacquiao to win the fight, he must use his speed.”
Gerry Pe?alosa, former WBO bantamweight champion from the Philippines.
“Manny Pacquiao in six to eight rounds. Cotto is big and strong. But he will be frustrated with Manny and when Manny starts connecting, Cotto will be missing more. Then Manny will hit him at will. And Cotto won’t be able to do anything. I see the referee stopping the fight or his corner throwing in the towel.”
Nonito Donaire Jr., WBA interim super-flyweight champion from the Philippines.
“He (Pacquiao) looked good in the weigh-in. But Cotto made the weight, too, confidently. Manny’s speed will give him the victory. But you have to understand that he has the power, too. Manny has all the tools to win this fight. But Cotto is very tough so I think it would last. For me, that’s my prediction – Pacquiao by decision.”
Mansueto Velasco Jr., Olympic silver medalist (1996) from the Philippines.
“Pacquiao should knock Cotto out inside the sixth to eighth rounds. He’s just too quick for Cotto. You’ve seen him train for this fight, and it’s hard to compare him with any other fighter in his weight. Pacquiao by knockout.”
