Pacquiao to have hand-wraps inspected by Team Cotto

Boxing Examiner | Vivek Wallace

To date, Miguel Cotto has suffered one career defeat.

Not only was it a staggering defeat, but it was perhaps one of the most brutal episodes the sport has ever seen, and depending on who you believe, it could have been prevented.

It wasn't until Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito was caught with illegal hand wraps this January before his showdown with Shane Mosley that Team Cotto began to wonder how different things could have been in his career had this common inspection been performed in the past.

Based on the deep gashes suffered, many fight fans believe that there's little doubt Antonio Margarito used loaded gloves to cut down his spirited opponent.

The truth will never be known, but one thing for sure, there will be no room for error when Cotto faces another fighter known to do amazing things with his power.....Filipino, Manny Pacquiao.

According to sources, Miguel Cotto Sr. has vowed to never let such an error happen again.

Despite the fact that this handwrapping inspection wasn't performed against either the U.K.'s Jennings or Ghanaian power puncher Joshua Clottey - (Cotto's two opponents after the Margarito showdown) - it has been made clear that the handwrapping technique by Team Pacquiao will be scanned harder than a box of cigarettes at a corner store across from a middle school.

Such an inspection shouldn't be an issue, as Roach and Pacquiao are clean competitors, but one can only wonder how far the mind games will go.

The beginning of the negotiation period for this fight initiated with a series of mind games, and considering that this move comes days after Roach vowed to have Bayless watch for Cotto lowblows, it appears those tricks won't stop until the treat itself begins when the bell rings.

Inside the lines, there will be no room for games, as the watchful eyes of veteran ref Kenny Bayless miss very little. But then again, if Freddie Roach's prediction of a RD1 KO is true, it probably won't matter.

With only 9 days to go....the waiting is nearly over!

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-845-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d5-Pacquiao-to-have-handwraps-inspected-by-Team-Cotto