I will miss Pacquiao-Cotto but still, thanks to Kuya Mario

By Al S. Mendoza

(Belated happy birthday to my brother, Kuya Vicente, on Nov. 7. Also on Nov. 10, happy birthday to another brother, Kuya Onie. Manang Rose has prepared her delicious pancit on both occasions.  More birthdays to come your way, mga beloved kuyas!)

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MANNY Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto?

It is exactly one week from now when both clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 15 (Manila Time).

Although the bout is at a catch weight 145 lbs, Cotto’s 147-lb WBO welterweight title is at stake.

A win, which is not far-fetched, would make Pacquiao the first to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions.

Muhammad Ali’s record would pale in comparison: He won the world heavyweight title three times – the first to achieve that.

Previously, Pacquiao won world crowns in the flyweight, featherweight, jr. featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight and Jr. welterweight divisions.

For sure, Cotto would be a difficult customer.

Only 27 years old, Cotto is a natural welterweight and is deadliest at 147 lbs.

But he must weigh in at 145 lbs on Nov. 14, one day before fight day. Each excess pound Cotto would incur beyond 145 lbs would cost him $1 million.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s brilliant American trainer, has threatened to pull out Pacquiao of the fight if Cotto comes in at 148 lbs or more.

But I’m almost absolutely certain that won’t happen.

Cotto won’t be foolish enough as to bungle the biggest fight of his career.

Everybody knows that nowadays, to fight Pacquiao is to fight for stardom. A win would mean instant fame – and fortune.

Cotto’s record is impressive:  Only one defeat in 36 fights, with 27 knockouts.

But that lone defeat – to Antonio Margarito last year that broke a string of 34 straight wins – came by knockout.

That means Cotto is not invincible after all as alleged by several experts.

Because Cotto is much bigger, his punches are naturally much stronger than Pacquiao’s.

But then, the question is, will Cotto land his supposed haymakers?

Pacquiao’s hand speed will deflect the punches, specifically the lethal ones.

You can bet on that.

And, time and again, Pacquiao had dished out an amazing footwork that seemed to make him own a pair of winged feet.

Thus, when you come down to it, it would be strength versus speed.

Cotto’s strength against Pacquiao’s speed.

To me, speed wins.

I planned to be in Vegas; I was there in 2006 to cover the third part of the Pacquiao-Morales trilogy (Morales got KO’d in the third).

But local schedules do not permit me to leave even as my PAL tickets had been readied long before the fight.

Still, my gratitude to Kuya Mario Panoringan, a kabaleyan based in San Francisco, California, who publishes the famous Fil-Am Star in the Bay Area.

Kuya Mario had graciously offered a free board and lodging in a Las Vegas hotel of my choice if I decide to cover the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

Ah, I will miss Wynn Hotel.

Baleg ya salamat, Kuya Mario.

I will never forget your kindness and generosity.

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