Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto live this November 14, 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. (It will be November 15 for those watching from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan). I know we are all excited to know the results of this fight. But we have to wait and watch these fighters slug it out at the ring. The boxing experts had already made their predictions, even as early as the fight announcements back in July. And I am sure that you too have some forms of predictions: Pacquiao or Cotto?

Manny Pacquiao

After Manny showed awesome demolition jobs against Diaz, De La Hoya and Hatton, a lot of erstwhile critics had become converted and joined the Pacmania. It seems that the boxer from Puerto Rico doesn’t have enough followers now, while the giant-killer from the Philippines enjoys most of the praise.

Freddie Roach, the Filipino’s renowned trainer, is confident that his boxer can knock out Cotto. “What Manny can hit, he can knock out. Cotto is very hittable” he says. And many fans and experts agree. Pacquiao, aside from being quick, has become very strong. The opponents do not have to watch the left alone but have to be wary of the right hand as well. Both fists carry knockout punches. All of the Pacquiao’s defeated opponents know that.

What must Manny do to win this fight? He has to be his aggressive self and hit Cotto from all corners. He must capitalize on his quickness, avoid the opponent’s fists and then hit hard. While they say that Cotto had lost his lethal touch, Manny should not take him for granted.

Miguel Cotto

“Cotto is bigger and stronger. He will crush Manny”. This is mantra of Cotto’s believers. Even the boxing legend Felix Trinidad believes so much in his compatriot. How big Cotto really is? At 5’8”, he is an inch and a half taller and 2 inches longer in reach. Would that decide the fight? How strong is he? Well, he defeated the 5’10” Shane Mosley, who even had a 5-inch reach advantage.

After the beating from Antonio Margarito, though,(however controversial it was), and the lackluster victory against Clottey, the Puerto Rican, they say, can easily be beaten. That single bloody loss to Margarito will continue to haunt him.

But looking at HBO’s 24/7 episodes, Cotto is back in shape and he looked dangerous from all angles. Is he the fighter that can end the Filipino boxer’s superb run?

My Results Predictions

I might already be late in this predictions race. Some sports betting sites already had their odds in Manny’s favor. 10 more days to go and we will know of the results. But I have this feeling that the Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto boxing fight will result to a draw. Manny will kick Cotto’s ass and let him crawl in the middle rounds, but the Puerto Rican will surprise Manny with an uppercut that will make the Filipino fighter sit on his pants. All eyes will be on the judges, but Bob Arum will be all smiles as he will immediately announce a rematch.

ACTUAL RESULT:

Pacquiao punished Cotto and knocked him out in the 12th round. 7th world title in seven weight categories, the first in history, is now in Manny’s hands. Congrats to Manny Pacquiao!

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