FightHype's staff predictions are in for this weekend's highly-anticipated showdown between pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. Will Pacquiao make boxing history by becoming the first fighter ever to win seven world title in seven different weight divisions? Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Pacquiao TKO10
I know, I know...lately I've been steadfast in picking THE Pacquiao by 4th round stoppage, but come on...I gotta give Cotto more credit than that. After seeing him at the weigh-in, it's clear that the guy is in superb shape and ready for the challenge at hand, although truth be told, I STILL think THE Pacquiao could clip him early. Unfortunately for Cotto, it will only delay, not change, the outcome of the fight. Expect this one to look a lot like Trinidad versus Vargas, but Cotto won't be playing the part of the legendary Puerto Rican. The first lightning fast combination that THE Pacquiao lands will have Cotto looking like a dear in headlights. After an early flash knockdown, Cotto will fight on valiantly, but it won't be enough to weather the storm. THE Pacquiao will not be denied his chance to make history!
Percy "Talent" Crawford - Cotto TKO7
Cotto looks to be very healthy at 145, which was one of my concerns for him. That being said, I think Cotto will make Manny come to him early and by round 4, have him going backwards and getting his shots off. Since De La Hoya landed nothing, we will finally see how Manny reacts to being hit by a real welterweight. Give me Cotto in 7!
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Pacquiao by TKO
Nick Sanchez - Pacquiao TKO8
Too much speed! Expect a good 3 or 4 rounds before Manny starts taking over in about the 5th and finishes off Cotto in the 8th.
Josh Jordon - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
I think Pacquiao's hand speed and feints will cause a lot of trouble for Miguel. I've rewatched several of each fighter's previous fights leading up to this and I'm not laying any money on this one because if Juan Manuel Marquez can buzz Manny, what will Miguel do if he catches him with a good shot? That said, I don't see it happening. Manny outworks Cotto for the UD.
Simon Ruvalcaba - Pacquiao TKO12
Mike Juhas - Cotto TKO8
I think Cotto will wear down Manny with his body punching. We've yet to see Manny taste a monster punch from a true welterweight in his prime and I think he'll have trouble dealing with Cotto's power and counterpunching. We already know Cotto can take a punch and I think he'll wear down Manny over the course of the fight.
Coyote Duran - Cotto by Unanimous Decision
The key for Cotto is to box well, multiply his jab and fire that left hook to the body to stem Pacquiao's attack early in the fight. Cotto's pressure, if applied, will do well to dilute Pacquiao's speed. If Cotto can put all these variables to work, not take any rounds off and move sufficiently to protect that chin, he can get away with a unanimous decision win.
Evan Korn - Pacquiao by KO
We saw Miguel Cotto's prime end July 26, 2008, the night Antonio Margarito's loaded/unloaded gloves turned Cotto's face into a Joseph Merrick, AKA The Elephant Man, recreation. Like the Fernando Vargas that fought on post-Trinidad, Cotto's best days are a distant memory. He nipped Joshua Clottey in a give-and-take battle that proved one thing beyond a reasonable doubt: Cotto's will to win is still insatiable. Against a force of nature like Pacquiao, the will to win can only take you so far.
Charles Presnell - Cotto by TKO
I think Pacman might be a little undersized in this one, especially because Cotto is no De La Hoya. He is in his prime and has more power than Oscar. I think Pacman will be competitive in this fight, but Cotto will eventually wear him down.
Oliver Suarez - Pacquiao KO10
Suge Green - Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao will continue his prime by calling it a night early at the MGM Grand Arena this evening. Not content with merely solidifying his position as the sport's number 1 fighter, Pacquiao will be performing with his band late this Saturday night, so my prediction depends on how anxious the Icon of PI boxing is to take the stage and play his concert. If the band has been sounding satisfactory to the perfectionist that is Pacquiao, he may put in 3/4 of a day at the office, taking off just prior to the championship rounds. If Pacquiao, however, is unsatisfied with how the band has been sounding during the final week of rehearsals, look for him to make short work of the Pride of Puerto Rico in hopes of geting in an extra rehersal prior to serenading his elated fans. Pacquiao by whenever the opening act gets off the stage.
"BigTime" Tim Kudgis - Pacquiao TKO10
The fight will be a close war for the first 6 rounds until Cotto starts getting drained from the vicious body shots of Pac. Then, Cotto will flip to survival mode, but will be stopped late.
Patrick McQueen - Cotto
I like Cotto to win the fight. He may take some shots, but I like him to win.
Steve "mbase" Coleman - Cotto TKO9
You know where I'm going already. Freddie throws in the towel in the 9th round. Cotto wins by wearing Pac down with body shots. Pac is overrated, as everyone will see soon, and I don't want to hear the "Oh, Cotto's too big" excuse. All of Pac's opponents have been carefully picked and Roach is just miscalculating that Cotto is through after his fight with Margarito. Not a good bet. Cotto stops Pac and the experts start backtracking, just like they did with DLH-Pac, Pavlik-Hopkins, etc.
Gianluca De Caro - Pacquiao TKO5
Right now, I see PacMan as the number one fighter in the World and other than him stepping up to heavyweight to face Haye or Vlad the Impaler for his next fight, I can't see anyone beating him...mind you, if he did, I wouldn't bet against him winning at that weight either! It's pretty clear by my last statement I reckon another win for Manny and after the De La Hoya and Hatton demolition derbys, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the same result ensued.
Jack Plato - Pacquiao TKO9
We know that both Cotto and Pacquiao have the power (Cotto) and the spreed (Pacquiao) to hurt each other. I believe Manny could hurt Cotto by busting him up, causing facial cuts with the quickness of his jabs and power punches.
Wilfredo "AKay" Lassalle - Cotto KO9
SKULLSPLITTER "The CEO" - Cotto TKO7
Cotto is a beast with guys his size or smaller. He uses educated pressure and works the body. He has top notch timing and counterpunching skills. Speed and southpaws don't bother him. He can take Pacquiao's punches and remain focused on the task at hand. Pacquiao's defense and Pinoy warrior pride are his biggest weaknesses. He can't linger in the killzone for too long or he'll get hurt. He will have to stick and move all night, but that pride will make him stand and trade more than he should and get him into trouble.
James Almonte - Cotto TKO6
THE Pacquiao express is coming to a screeching halt. After Cotto weathers the early storm, he will systematically break Manny down
Joseph "flavoa" Falvo - Cotto by Unanimous Decision
Cotto will surprise a lot of folks by outboxing the at times one-dimensional Pacman. Great fight.
Joey "Titlebelt" Karash - Pacquiao KO9
Sandy Liptrot - Cotto by TKO
Brian Peterson - Pacquiao KO5
Brad Cooper - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
It's been a while since there has been a big fight that was this difficult to make a pick. The factors are split. Speed to Pacquiao, strength to Cotto, experience a push, corner experience to Pacquiao, durability to Cotto...at the end of the day, the fight will be decided by how well Pacquiao stands up to Cotto's body attack in the first 4 rounds. If Cotto does damage and slows Manny down, he wins. If Pacquiao stays clear, uses angles and lands power shots before getting away from Cotto, he wins. I see the latter. I'm not sure I trust Joe Santiago to create a plan B on the fly and the intangibles on Cotto's side aren't enough to make me go against Roach and Pacquiao. No stoppage here. Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision.
Kenneth Lundgren - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Cotto had a tough time with Clottey, but Clottey is also one of the most avoided fighters on the planet and will make any fighter look susceptible. Pacquiao is uniquely sharp, seems overgushing with confidence and he's not faking it. I feel like Cotto might be too strong for him, but PacMan is just a different breed right now, on a different level during these peak years. This is Pacquiao's time to shine. Cotto handles speed well, but he's never fought someone like this. As a big Cotto fan, I say Pacquiao wins by wide UD, possible late stoppage.