Its clear even at the early stages of the fight that Cotto is the underdog here, and that many people see Manny even stopping Cotto. Personally, I wouldn't count out Cotto just yet. I hope Cotto make this underdog thing to heart like in the fight he had with Quintana. He was a true beast that night after taking some devastating punches from Quintana.
Cotto will in fact hit Manny harder than he has ever been hit. We don't know how Manny will react to Cotto's power but at the end of the day, Manny has yet to face anyone with power like Cotto, and I don't think the ladder has faced speed like Manny has. I know this will anger a lot of readers, but I don't think Manny can weather the brutality of Cotto's hooks. I know Manny has some crazy footwork and much improved overall boxing skills - as showcased in his most recent fights, but Cotto does an amazing job of cutting off the ring and stalking opponents.
What also puzzles me is that most people are forgetting how easy Manny is to hit. Manny has never been classified as a great defensive fighter. Anyone that saw his last three fights knows that Manny didn't get hit, but that was due to who he was fighting. But he was getting lit up in the Marquez bout.
As far as Manny goes in this match up, we have to take into consideration the opponents that his team has set up for him. In his last couple of fights, the fighters that he faced were perfect for his style and punching ability. This leads me to believe that his handlers would not put Manny into a fight where they did not have a terrific plan for victory.
There are 3 main factors in the case for Manny beating Cotto.
Number one: Cotto's ability to be cut.
The way Manny uses an unorthodox slashing offense, he's almost a lock to cut Cotto during the fight. Add to the fact that the fight features a southpaw and an orthodox fighter only adds to this.
Number two: Defense.
Cotto's defense isn't good enough to withstand the barrage of punches that will come from Manny. Many fighters who do not have the hand speed that Manny has have hit Cotto hard and often.
Number three: Speed.
Cotto takes.....a......very.....long.....time....to...throw....punches. Unless Cotto does some serious work to speed up his approach to punching, Pacquiao will be getting his blows off first and dictate the pace with his superior hand and foot speed.
It all comes down to speed, and how Cotto handles Manny's power. Manny will be landing with punches Cotto won't see coming all night. At this point in time, I am still on the fence about who I like. I will write another article closer to the fight with how I see the fight going down
Some people like boxing, some love it, but there are a few among us who have a passion for it. I have a passion for this type of fight and the hype that comes along with it. I can't wait for fight night
You contradict yourself. You start off by saying no way Manny will beat Cotto. Then, at the end you say, no way Cotto can handle Manny. Wishy washy.
Get updated! Pacquiao now has a good defense. He is much improved from the Marquez-Morales days.
Unless Cotto is superman, he is not going to last long.
Let me correct things for you. Morales, marquez, Hatton are not sugar puffs.
It was Manny who chose Cotto. He witnessed firsthand the beating Cotto got from Clotty. He Knew right then and there Cotto would be no problem for him, so he quickly told Arum he wanted to fight Cotto.
You said cotto
"takes.....a......very.....long.....time....to..throw....punches."
Yep, slow motion. Pacquiao would hit him 3-5 times to his one punch. Pacquiao has one-punch KO power in both hands. This fight ain't gonna last long. I just hope Cotto is not gonna get badly hurt.
Thanks for the response.
I thought I wrote in the article that I don't know exactly who I was going with, if it was unclear, I apologize.
I was trying to give an objective look at both sides of the fight.
As far as Manny's updated or improved defense, I do recall that he was getting tagged by Oscar at a good pace in their fight. Now if your arguement is that he is ever evolving, then I would agree with you.
I do recall Manny getting hit a lot by Dela Hoya. But he didn't seem affected by the punches, instead become more confident and aggressive. Dela Hoya is also a good puncher. If Cotto hits harder, it can't be that much harder. Also Dela Hoya has fast hands too. Cotto moves slow with his heavy hands. Will his punches find the target? Only some will, if at all. Cotto will be sitting duck for Pacquiao.
hands down it will be manny. thats it... nothing more, he is the best boxer right now... one of the most entertaining to watch as well.
It's not like Manny, has not been knockout before. He has.....