LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao, the biggest drawcard in contemporary boxing, will face the toughest challenge of his career when he takes on holder Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday.

Although Filipino Pacquiao is widely viewed as the favourite in his bid to win a seventh world title in an unprecedented seventh weight class, the scheduled 12-round bout has whet the appetite of fans and boxing insiders alike.

Renowned trainer Angelo Dundee predicts “a great, great fight” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena while former heavyweight champion George Foreman has backed the bigger and more powerful Puerto Rican to win on a split decision.

“You have a perfect blending of style in this fight,” Dundee told reporters in the build-up to Saturday’s clash. “If I ever had a fighter fighting Pacquiao, I would implement the things that Cotto brings to the table.

“Cotto is a pressure fighter and he’s going to be on Pacquiao from the get-go. He’s got a great left hook and he’s a good body puncher.

“I see a very tough distance fight, and there is going to be blood,” added Dundee, who has trained Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Foreman.

“Pacquiao takes it to you all the time but in this fight he is going to have to back up. He’s smart, slick, and has great hand speed, but Cotto counters those things.”

Pacquiao, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has a glittering record of 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts but Foreman believes he could fall victim to complacency.

RIDING HIGH

“Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world,” Foreman said. “And it leaves you kind of complacent when you’re winning.

“Even if you don’t want it to, sometimes you can’t get up for a big fight — and that’s a plus for Cotto. I think Cotto wins in a 12-round decision.”

Cotto, who has won a world title every year since 2004, has an enviable career record of 34-1 featuring 27 knockouts.

Although Pacquiao holds a significant speed advantage over the Puerto Rican, he has great respect for Cotto’s punching power, strength and intelligence.

“This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer,” the 30-year-old southpaw said. “I know he is an excellent, smart fighter and a great world champion.

“We also know he is good in body punching so I have to counter that. I am prepared for anything Miguel Cotto has to offer. I feel like I know him like I know myself.”

While Pacquiao and Cotto have consistently expressed mutual respect for one another in the build-up to the fight, the Filipino’s trainer Freddie Roach has been typically outspoken.

“We are in great shape and I have never seen my fighter looking better,” Roach said. “Pacquiao’s a much better defensive fighter than he’s ever been.

“I respect Miguel, but he’ll get knocked out in this one. I just think Miguel Cotto’s defence isn’t good enough. He’s hittable and people that Manny can hit he knocks out.”

SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/12/sports/sports-uk-boxing-pacquiao-preview.html?_r=1

LAS VEGAS – Boxing experts are mixed on who will win the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto mega-fight saying the outcome will be decided not only by the fighters in the ring but the role both corners play.

Nazim Richardson, trainer for Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins, likes the way Pacquiao destroys bigger and stronger opponents and says the Filipino also knows how to impress the judges.

“I think Manny Pacquiao is going to steal the fight,” Richardson said. “He is good at letting his size fool people and when they see him darting around the ring looking scrappy, boxing and moving it translates into a round for him.

“Calling Pacquiao little in his weight class is like calling Mike Tyson a little heavyweight. He knows how to make the round look like the little guy is dominating a big man.”

Buddy McGirt, trainer for Antonio Tarver and Arturo Gatti, says Pacquiao has more experience in his corner with trainer Freddie Roach than Cotto’s trainer Joe Santiago.

“Pacquiao might have the psychological edge as he totally trusts Freddie and is very comfortable with him,” McGirt said. “It is a big stage for someone (Joe) who has never been there before.”

Muhammud Ali’s former trainer Angelo Dundee predicts Cotto’s savage power will take the fight into the later rounds.

“I have seen Cotto train twice now and he’s a stone-cold professional fighter,” said Dundee, who also trained Sugar Ray Leonard and George Forman. “He was oblivious to the outside world when I saw him and he’s very focused.

“You have a perfect blend of style in this fight. If I had a fighter fighting Pacquiao I would implement the things Cotto brings to the table. Certain ingredients that spell Cotto will give Pacquiao trouble.

“Cotto is a pressure fighter and he is going to be on Pacquiao from the get go.”

Ronnie Shields, who trained Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, also likes Cotto’s chances.

“Pacquiao has a lot of speed but I just feel Cotto is going to walk through him,” Shields said.

“There is no way that Pacquiao is going to be albe to wear Cotto down. Cotto is going to get much stronger. Pacquiao cannot take Cotto’s punches throughout the 12 rounds.”

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/13/09/predictions-pacquiao-vs-cotto-mixed