Boxing Matchups: Pacquiao vs. Cotto Odds & Picks
The WBO Welterweight title is on the line on Saturday, Nov. 14 when Manny Pacquiao takes on Miguel Cotto from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.
This is one of the biggest boxing matches of the year as many consider Pacquiao the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, but is continuing to move up in weight to face Cotto.
Pacquiao is the favorite heading into the catchweight-fight at 145 lbs. with a betting line of -260 while Cotto has a line of +200 according to online sports book Sports Interaction. The fight card begins at 9PM ET on Pay-Per-View. Here is a closer look at both boxers and their odds heading into this fight.
Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’s)
Strengths: Pacquiao has perhaps the fastest hands in boxing, which have allowed him to win his last three fights by KO or TKO, including a second round KO of Ricky Hatton in May and an eighth round TKO of Oscar De La Hoya last December. Pacquiao knocked out Hatton by dropping him three times in two rounds, including twice in the first round. Against De La Hoya, Pacquiao used his speed to out-strike the Golden Boy and ware him down for eight rounds before he couldn’t continue.
Weaknesses: It has yet to be shown as a weakness, but Pacquiao continues to fight in larger weight classes than what he is accustomed to in order to make a big pay day. He fought most of his career as a Super Bantamweight (122 lbs.) or a Featherweight (126 lbs.), but has found success at the larger weights, including his fight with De La Hoya, where he fought at welterweight (147 lbs.). This fight is at a catchweight of 145-pounds, but the championship is still on the line. Pacquiao’s speed has not been affected by the weight increase, but the power of his opponent’s punches are going to be stronger, which could leave him vulnerable to a knockout if he gets caught.
Last Five Fights:
Second round KO win over Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009
Eighth round TKO win over Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008
Ninth round TKO win over David Diaz on June 28, 2008
Split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 25, 2008
Unanimous decision win over Marco Antonio Barrera on Oct. 7, 2007
Miguel Cotto (34-1-0, 27 KO’s)
Strengths: Along with being an extremely talented fighter with great speed and athleticism, Cotto is a fighter that can overcome adversity. In his last fight against Joshua Clottey in June, Cotto dealt with a big cut over his left eyebrow that he received from a head butt in the third round. Despite a lot of blood loss Cotto never waivered and continued to push on against the physical Clottey, earning a split decision victory. Cotto has shown to have better speed and quickness than most his opponents, including Shane Mosley, who Cotto beat in November of 2007.
Weaknesses: In Cotto’s one professional loss, he was beaten by Antonio Margarito in July of 2008. Cotto started strong and used superior footwork to gain the edge, but Maragarito applied more pressure in the middle rounds and was able to corner Cotto. After being busted open in the later rounds, Margarito sensed the end was near and poured it on Cotto, forcing Cotto’s corner to throw in the towel. Since the fight, Margarito was found to have illegal hand wraps in a fight with Mosley, leaving many to wonder if he had the same wraps against Cotto. The loss showed other fighters how Cotto can be beaten, and Pacquiao may have the same abilities to stop him like Margarito.
Last Five Fights:
Split decision win over Joshua Clottey on June 13, 2009
Fifth round KO win over Michael Jennings on Feb. 21, 2009
11th round TKO loss to Antonio Margarito on July 26, 2008
Fifth round TKO win over Alfonso Gomez on April, 12, 2008
Unanimous decision win over Shane Mosley on Nov. 10, 2007
Who will win: Pacquiao has been the hottest fighter in the boxing world as of late and has the odds in his favor, but this fight could be his biggest test to date as Cotto is a very well-rounded fighter. Pacquiao should have an edge in speed and quickness, but Cotto may be able to use his footwork and size to gain the advantage in the fight. Ideally the boxing world is hoping to see Pacquiao win in impressive fashion to set up a mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. In this fight, expect to see Pacquiao land some big punches early that sets the stage for a stoppage in the later rounds. Cotto will be a game fighter, but unless he lands a knockout punch, he can’t keep up with Pacquio for 12 rounds.
Additional Lines:
Over/Under 9.5 rounds for fight length. Under (-145) Over (+105)
Manny Pacquiao by Decision or Technical Decision 5/2
Miguel Cotto by Decision or Technical Decision 13/2
Round 1 Manny Pacquiao win 25/1
Round 2 Manny Pacquiao win 18/1
Round 3 Manny Pacquiao win 14/1
Round 4 Manny Pacquiao win 14/1
Round 5 Manny Pacquiao win 14/1
Round 6 Manny Pacquiao win 12/1
Round 7 Manny Pacquiao win 12/1
Round 8 Manny Pacquiao win 12/1
Round 9 Manny Pacquiao win 12/1
Round 10 Manny Pacquiao win 14/1
Round 11 Manny Pacquiao win 16/1
Round 12 Manny Pacquiao win 25/1
Round 1 Miguel Cotto win 40/1
Round 2 Miguel Cotto win 35/1
Round 3 Miguel Cotto win 33/1
Round 4 Miguel Cotto win 33/1
Round 5 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 6 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 7 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 8 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 9 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 10 Miguel Cotto win 28/1
Round 11 Miguel Cotto win 33/1
Round 12 Miguel Cotto win 35/1
Draw or Technical Draw 28/1