Are you betting on Pacquiao vs. Cotto? Points to ponder

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

I kindly suggest to fans of both fighters to "Bet with your head, not over it."

Miguel Cotto's 12 - round split decision win over Joshua Clottey in June didn't seem to be as impressive as Manny Pacquiao's knockouts of Ricky Hatton in May and Oscar De La Hoya in December of 2008.

But it sure was as important.

Even I have said Cotto is "shot" as far back as June after the Clottey win and the controversial loss last year to Antonio Margarito.

Cotto has not had an easy road to get here. He's had difficult fights. He's stumbled but never lost until the Margarito fight which is still a point of contention.

Cotto always seems to be improving in each fight.

Pacquiao's had difficult fights getting here also. But he no doubt has knocked out world class competition.

Cotto looked terrific against Shane Mosley. He overcame demons to get past Ricardo Torres and DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley. Even southpaw Zab Judah was a hassle. And he certainly had moments against Clottey where I thought he would finally cave in.

The Margarito fight was looking like his winning lottery ticket to the big time after only six rounds. Something happened and is not yet fully explained.

Anyway, Cotto is a prohibitive, but respected underdog. He's resting tonight in a nice suite at the MGM Grand. He got here. You must give him credit for that. He's bigger, stronger and even younger than the favorored Pacquiao.

So if Team Pacquiao, promoter Bob Arum, and matchmaker Bruce Trampler have guessed wrong on Cotto, this entire thing may topple down like a six - level house of cards Saturday night.

I believe Cotto is a top 10 pound for pound fighter. I just believe Pacquiao is a once in a lifetime amazing fighter.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d11-Are-you-betting-on-Pacquiao-vs-Cotto-Points-to-ponder