Don’t sleep on Cotto…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It’s funny what lasting impressions of a last fight can make people do. Take, for example, the way the public is viewing the mega-bout between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao annihilated Ricky Hatton in less than two rounds in May to continue to pad his Hall of Fame resume.
Cotto squeaked by Joshua Clottey in June to retain his welterweight championship.
There’s an old saying of “win this fight, look good in the next.” And I have to believe that’s being aimed right at Cotto for this one when the two meet Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.
I’ll never say Pacquiao is headed for an emotional letdown, but I don’t think he’s faced anyone with the kind of pure punching power like Cotto.
The question, of course, will be can Cotto find the Filipino star? Coming up the ranks, Cotto was about as dominant as one could be. Since being a full-fledged welterweight, he’s been in some of the more entertaining scraps in the last couple of years. He’s looked vulnerable but has shown that heart boxing fans so do desire.
Having the fight at 145 pounds doesn’t sway me one way or the other. It’s not like Cotto is a big welterweight.
And though PacMan’s resume for the last few years is jaw-dropping, this might be considered his first “real” welterweight test.
Still have less than four months to debate the bout, but for those already counting out Cotto, think it’s a very foolish thing to do.
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And breaking news from Affliction as it appears Josh Barnett is out of his scheduled bout with Fedor because of a positive test result.
Affliction is scrambling for a suitable replacement as the card is Aug. 1 (next Saturday). Early discussions have Vitor Belfort perhaps taking a crack at Fedor. I hope that’s not the case as I have long enjoyed Vitor and don’t want to see the savage beating Fedor would give him.
Late last night it was rumored about Bobby Lashley, but Lashley appears to have no interest in said bout at this time.
He wants to do things the right way and jumping in with Fedor on less than two weeks notice without much training, well, you get why it wouldn’t feel right for Lashley.
More on this as it develops.
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