Cotto can handle the speed of Pacquiao or could he?

Majority of the boxing analysts and historians would agree that speed is everything. A faster fighter would have the ultimate advantage, being able to land those hard to see shots and avoid their opponent’s offensive attempts. Of course everything else plays a crucial role in a fight, and if a given fighter prevails in all the other attributes, speed might not be enough.

In just a couple of weeks Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will step into the ring to challenge each other. Miguel will try to beat a potentially faster fighter, who is known as the top pound 4 pound king. Miguel knows that Pacquiao is lightning fast, accurate and firm. Pacquiao is also fighting a dangerous opponent, who is the first true welterweight that Pacquiao has ever faced. Cotto is a younger, supposedly stronger, and more determined than Manny. They will be fighting at catch weight of 145lbs, which is Cotto’s natural weight.

The question that seems to be on everyone’s mind is whether Cotto can deal with Manny’s speed. I would like to look at this question from a different angle, asking a differently directed question: Does Cotto have to deal with Pacquiao’s speed? Cotto dealt with all kinds of fighters before. He fought speed in Zab Judah, he fought ring smarts and accuracy in Shane Mosley, and he fought raw power in Antonio Margarito, losing to him for very sad and disappointing reasons. I think questioning Miguel’s resume for this fight is not necessary.


"We know he can and he knows he can but he will have to show everyone what he is capable of doing against this type of opponent. He will come out with a little more fire," said Santiago, Cotto’s trainer. Santiago said something else that I agree with, and something that will make a big difference in this fight: "I not only think he can stay with the rhythm but I think he will enjoy fighting that kind of fight. It will be an interesting fight and Miguel will come out victorious by just doing what he always does, coming forward, throwing punches and being strong." Cotto is a completely new and untested water for team Pacquaio, being naturally bigger, stronger, with a solid chin.

Playing catch the mouse is a game that Cotto (pictured above) will need to avoid. I think that he needs to focus on strategy and pacing himself during the fight. Pacquiao has never been beaten, because every fighter came with the same style and strategy. Only Manuel Marquez came in ready to trade and come forward, which landed Pacquiao in a very dangerous and uncomfortable spot, creating a possibility of an inevitable doom. Pacquaio was able to pull off a draw back in 2004, but many fans disagreed and booed the decision. Clearly, Marquez was the crowd’s winner.

Team Pacquiao is tremendous. They have a terrific fighter, and a superb trainer. But they seem to be very anxious for this fight. Freddie Roach started the interviewing process by complaining about Cotto’s dirty tactics when in trouble. Is this a preemptive strike, or is Freddie nervous and looking for an excuse? Cotto’s response seemed calm and direct, saying: Freddie Roach has to understand that he is only Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, that he can train him the best that he can, but nothing that he might do is going to change the result in the fight.

Cotto’s game plan should be an aggressive one. We all know, by way of the Margarito fight, that Cotto is capable of taking pretty destructive punches and walking right through them. Thanks to the Shane Mosley fight, Cotto had demonstrated that he is consistent, and can keep coming for the whole 12 rounds. This should be his ultimate plan against Pacquiao. I feel that there is no need to adapt to the speed, because it’s a waste of time. Pacquiao is faster, and will be faster no matter what measured camp Cotto takes. Miguel needs to counter punch, and keep pushing Pacquiao back, something he is not too used to. Once he can get Manny in his unnatural state, Cotto should be able to keep coming forward, preventing Manny from throw anything meaningful. Once Manny is catching his breath, he will start moving less and brawling more; also something we have seen him do in some of his fights. If such happens, Cotto’s power will take over, insuring a favorable result for Miguel.

Both fighters have youth, and all the elements needed to win. This should be a blockbuster fight, with moments to remember and future to expand. This is going to give us boxing fans action, excitement, and a winner who deserves a lot of praise and universal respect from the boxing community.

Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/newsstory.php?list=10141