Pacquiao/Cotto: The 'jinx' factor

With fans on both sides of the fence going back and forth about the lack of progress being made between the two fight camps, there seems to be a no content in the media that deals with anything aside from the repetitive issues which can't seem to get hashed out.

Rather than continue that tennis match, back-and-forth type politicing, today we look at another aspect of the fight that in the end probably won't mean anything, yet certainly adds an intriguing twist to an already 'twisted' matchup.

For years, people close to the game of boxing can attest to the numerous superstitions surrounding the sport.

One fighter who had to wear a certain color underneath his trunks for good luck, another who had to have corn-on-the-cob or ice cream before he entered the ring, depending on the time of the year he fought, and the crazy superstitions go on from there.

Well, what about Pacquiao and Cotto? To my knowledge, there are no certain superstitions here, but as it relates to the jinx-factor, there are two common things between the two that we can weigh in on, and today we'll do just that.

ALL-TIME RECORD IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

When fighting in the month of November, all-time, Manny Pacquiao is a stellar 3-0-1 (3KO's), knocking out everyone he ever faced. The lone exception was Agapito Sanchez, who Pacquiao failed to defeat due to the bout being stopped in the 6th round because of a nasty cut suffered by Pacquiao.

The possibility of a bad cut is one that Pacquiao fans would love to dismiss, as many know, the other fight (Morales) where he was badly cut ended in a loss. The last one he suffered to date.

Fortunately, the victories in the month of November tally much higher, so that's good odds to carry into the ring when he and Cotto finally square off.

For Miguel Cotto, he has a dazzling 2-0 (1KO) record, all-time, in the month of November. No close calls, no nasty cuts, just two victories and pure perfection. So, who gets the edge in the November jinx-factor?

WINNER: Draw (No edge based on record, slight edge to Cotto)

ALL-TIME RECORD IN LAS VEGAS MGM GRAND

For Manny Pacquiao, his all time record in the MGM Grand is a very strong 3-1-1 (3KO's). Hard to argue with that kind of success. The loss he suffered to Morales and the draw he suffered prior to it at the hands of Marquez was a tough stretch, but since then, Pacquiao has been outstanding, soundly defeating a ring legend (Dela Hoya) and annihilating a world ranked top contender in two rounds (Hatton).

For Miguel Cotto, his track record at the MGM Grand is equally as stellar (4-1, 3KO's), with one major blemish. His lone defeat came against Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito, and the only opponent he failed to KO was Lovemore N'Dou, whom most of us know is no cupcake.

With no clear cut winner here, the only degree of separation comes in the fact that Pacquiao is on a hot win streak there, while Cotto hasn't returned since his humbling defeat which many think has yet to fade away.

WINNER: Draw (Based on records, slight edge to Pacquiao)

After reviewing these to oddities, the only thing clear is that once again, even in the jinx-factor, there still is no decisive way to separate two fighters who are set to wage war in what many see as a very close contest.

So much for innovation. I guess the only way to narrow it down is to actually watch it happen.

November 14th can't get here quick enough!

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-845-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d6-PacquiaoCotto-The-jinx-factor