Pacquiao-Cotto: Let’s Keep It Real

Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol – Come November 14th, the annals of boxing will turn one of the most important pages of its glorious history. Filipino pride and arguably boxing’s most valuable commodity Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) will try to become the first person to win an unprecedented 7th world title in as many weight divisions. Puerto Rico’s very own Miguel Angel “Junito” Cotto (34-1-0, 27 KOs) hopes to prevent that from happening, retain his WBO welterweight title and erase the stigma of his devastating, yet controversial loss to former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. Here, we are going to dissect quite a bit and make objective predictions upon how will history unfold at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But before I say my piece, let’s first try to examine what the others had to say about this epic encounter. In spite of his recent masterful ring exploits, beating Oscar De La Hoya to a pulp and almost killing Ricky Hatton, many of Pacquiao’s skeptics still remain, well… skeptic about his chances against Cotto. Citing size and strength difference, as well as the fact that Cotto has been campaigning in the heavier weight class, and thus, already very well accustomed to taking heavier, more powerful punches than those of anyone Pacquiao has ever faced, they believe that Cotto will simply be too much for Pacquiao. A boxing scribe even bragged that “Cotto can take a punch,” but ironically followed it up by saying “he proved that against Margarito.” I’m not sure what he really meant about taking a punch. Does getting knocked out count, too? Perhaps it does, based on his definition.

There might be a size difference, but I have serious doubts that the Pacquiao-Cotto faceoff will end up the way Mayweather-Marquez did. The Pinoy and the Puerto Rican share the same reach and Cotto is just about an inch taller than Pacquiao. Furthermore, contrary to what the cynics believe or would lead us to believe, Pacquiao, for his part, has also been taking punches from much heavier fighters, even natural middleweights at that, especially recently when he started campaigning in the heavier weight divisions. Shouldn’t we consider sparring partners as gauge for Pacquiao’s ability to take a punch as well? Let’s not forget that a boxer logs over 10 times more rounds in sparring than during the actual fight. Need I say more?

Cotto’s defense is great, but come fight night, Pacquiao’s offense could prove to be so much better. Yes, Cotto can take a punch… but can he take large volumes of punches? Incessant droplets of water can break a rock over a period of time. Cotto is no different and Pacquiao’s punches will certainly not be akin to mere droplets of water… they will definitely inflict pain.

Well, we can’t really blame the skeptics for their continued doubts. Pacquiao is simply a freak of nature. He is one in a million… may even be one in a billion. He isn’t ordinary. Therefore, we can’t expect just ordinary things from him. I am, however, neither downplaying Cotto’s chances, nor his abilities. Cotto is a great fighter and he will go into the fight being the younger combatant, turning 29 on the 29th of this month. But unfortunately for him, 16 days after his birthday, Manny Pacquiao will give him a belated birthday present that he and his fans will not like at all. The skeptics, as expected, will once again find excuses, as blood oozes out of Cotto’s deformed and lumpy face. The Pinoy idol will continue to exceed expectations, all the while disappointing and upsetting his critics. Pacquiao wins by TKO in 8!

Oh by the way, I haven’t said anything about speed, have I?

Just for fun, I enjoin my beloved readers to post their own predictions below. Comments are also highly appreciated. You can write them below or send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph

Source: http://sportales.com/boxing/pacquiao-cotto-let%E2%80%99s-keep-it-real/