Countdown to Pacquiao-Cotto Begins Tonight

The countdown to Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto officially begins this evening when HBO presents the first installment of Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7. This fight brings extra excitement in that Manny, who many consider to be boxing’s pound-for-pound champion (until he fights Floyd Mayweather, I believe), is moving up in weight (again) to 145 pounds to fight Miguel Cotto, the current WBO welterweight champ. I’ve doubted Manny in the past and I’ve always lived to regret those doubts.

There are unanswered questions for both fighters. Miguel has only lost once. That was a little over a year ago when Antonio Margarito beat him in what would eventually be looked at as a controversial outcome. Why? Well, Margarito would later beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley with illegal, hardened inserts in his hand-wraps. Makes you wonder if he wasn’t similarly outfitted when he beat Miguel. So, I’m wondering how good Miguel really is. Should he be currently undefeated? And even so, is he past his prime? He will be making a huge statement with a win over Manny Pacquiao.

As for Manny, I wonder if he’ll be able to take the punches from a bigger, arguably tougher fighter? Sure, he is quick and fierce. He’s like lightning in a bottle. But can he withstand the power of Miguel Cotto? Of course, if you look at the way Manny destroyed Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds, I don’t doubt he’ll be ready to knock Miguel out and prepare for what would be one of the most anticipated fights of all-time—Pacquiao vs. Mayweather—next year. Until then, I’m going to enjoy this one. It should be a great fight.

Source: HBO.com