Sizing up Pacquiao vs Cotto

September 11th, 2009

So the media express has left the station, and Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto rolled into New York's Yankee Stadium for their first stop. Once again the boxing fans around the world wait in anticipation, and this fight shouldn't disappoint them. Manny has already proven that size doesn't matter when he systematically destroyed the legendary Oscar De La Hoya back in December, 2008. He then followed up that demonstration with another beat-down clinic over Ricky Hatton, a beating that pounced on the mute button and subsequently silenced thousands of British fans, drums and all.

Pacquiao's speed seems to be the major issue for all of his opponents. When he fought David Diaz in June of 2008, the speed advantage for Pacquiao was just ridiculous. Diaz during a post fight interview said, " It felt like the f'n referee was hitting me too." So the question is, can his speed overwhelm Miguel Cotto as well? Cotto has proven how tough he is with impressive wins over Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, and more recently Joshua Clottey. He came up short against Antonio Margarito, but I hesitate to count that against him because of the big ass asterisk that has been rightfully stamped next to Margarito's name.

Cotto made Judah take a knee, basically making him say "screw this, I need to get out of here" and he made Paulie Malignaggi's face look like a train wreck when he was finished with him. This guy is the real deal, but I am not sure if he will be able to put up with the blinding speed of Manny Pacquiao for 12 rounds.

Initially everyone was talking as if Cotto was a much bigger man, but when the two combatants stood side by side in New York yesterday there was not much difference. This could bode for a difficult night for Cotto if the past is any indicator here.

As in most cases right before a Manny Pacquiao fight, the talk is of problems in the camp, communication problems and chemistry issues between advisers and trainers but as usual, once Manny touches down things sort out and it's business as usual. Freddie Roach told 8CountNews, " Don't worry, as soon as I get Manny in front of me where I can talk one on one with him, everything will be fine." It seems Roach was right again, as all systems are go.

This fight should provide the fans with some exciting rounds. How many rounds? I am not sure of that, but while it lasts it should be an exciting fight. Once again it's Manny's speed vs his opponent's strength. One thing to keep in mind here is that Cotto isn't exactly a slow fighter in his own rights. Pacquiao has proven loudly and clearly that size and strength do not stop him. It's now up to Miguel Cotto to stop the freight train from The Philippines, because so far nobody else has been able to.

See photos of the Pacquiao/Cotto press conference here