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)