Will Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao happen?

Is it long before we see Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao in the same ring?

If last night at Madison Square Garden was any indication, it's a good bet we will see that fight. As Marcus Henry reported in Newsday today, immediately after he dispatched a game, but limited, Michael Jennings, Cotto said, to .. "the winner of Pacquiao-Hatton, I'm here!"

That sentiment was toned down a bit later at the official post-fight press conference. Cotto issued the standard, "it's up to Top Rank," when asked if he would fight Pac Man. Of course, Pacquiao first has to defeat Ricky Hatton on May 2 and Cotto will likely fill his normal June date at Madison Square Garden. Top Rank and Cotto generally fight at the Garden the same weekend as the Puerto Rican Day parade. The speculation is that Cotto will face Kermit Cintron on that card.

So that leaves both Pacquiao and Cotto with a November date to fill. Most people in the press section last night were betting they would fill that date together. Top Rank just happens to promote both fighters. So when Cotto says, "it's up to Top Rank," it sounds like a good bet.

Source: http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/boxing/blog/2009/02/will_miguel_cotto_vs_manny_pac.html (February 22, 2009)

Cotto is Prepared To Fight Pacquiao After Clottey

By Mark Vester

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto has no problem with fighting Manny Pacquiao at the end of the year. First Cotto has to get past a very tough fight with Joshua Clottey on June 13 in New York's Madison Square Garden. Pacquiao plans to sit ringside.

Top Rank's Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao and Cotto, says the bout will be much easier to make than a potential fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cotto likes the idea of the fight.

"This is a good idea, a good fight, but first we need to get past Clottey on June 13," Cotto told El Nuevo Dia.

Cotto told the paper that Pacquiao's dominating wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton do not cause him any concern.

"None [at all]. We would go in very prepared to win, like we have done for all of our fights. A boxer who moves and has a good defense, will cause him problems, like Erik Morales did in their first fight," said Cotto, as he spoke about Morales' win over Pacquiao in March of the 2005.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19781 (May 6, 2009)

Is Miguel Cotto Being Considered As Manny Pacquiao's Next Opponent?

In an interview with Miguel Cotto's trainer, Evangelista Cotto, he told ESTO, "Anything is possible. We're going to have to see what happens." That is in reference to a proposed match against pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao.

Miguel Cotto is campaigning at the 147 pound division, but Cotto and Pacquiao are similar in stature. Cotto is only half an inch taller than Pacquiao, however, if Pacquiao's camp will stick to their word that Pacquiao will not campaign anymore over the 140 pound division, then this fight will never happen. Unless, of course, Cotto agrees to go down to 140.

This is a great match. I personally believe that this will be even more explosive than Pacquiao-Hatton. Both throw a lot of punches per round so you can expect fireworks. Pacquiao will have an edge in speed and Cotto will have a slight edge in power. So this should be fun to watch.

After Pacquiao's match with Ricky Hatton, he will have several options. However, the biggest fight would be against Floyd Mayweather Jr., but if the Pretty Boy decides to stay retired, he can look at Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez as his next opponent.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/97450-is-miguel-cotto-being-considered-as-manny-pacquiaos-next-opponent (December 27, 2008)