It looks like that the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez bout is not the biggest fight of the year. Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will fight current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at a catchweight of 145lbs on November 14 in the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Pacquiao finally gave the signal and chose Miguel Cotto as his next opponent. He was ringside during Miguel Cotto’s split decision win over Joshua Clottey in New York. WBA welterweight Super Champion ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley has literally been begging for a fight with Pacquiao. Mosley was even willing to drop down to 140lbs to fight Pacquiao but Coach Freddie Roach decided that Miguel Cotto would be an easier opponent for Pacquiao than Mosley.

Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’s)

Current RING Magazine and IBO jr welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has been nothing short of sensational in his last 3 fights. He battered a courageous David Diaz at 135lbs, then destroyed the legendary Oscar De La Hoya at 147lbs and completely outclassed Ricky Hatton last May at 140lbs. His bout with Cotto will be the fourth straight fight in which he will compete at a different weight.

Pacquiao’s biggest strength is his speed and punches that come from all angles. His last three opponents have agreed on one thing; Pacquiao’s speed kills.

Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s)

Miguel Cotto showed guts and heart in his highly competitive match against Joshua Clottey. In the early and mid rounds Cotto fought Clottey toe-to-toe before changing his game plan in the later rounds to boxing from the outside. Cotto’s strategy to box Clottey was highly effective because it negated Clottey’s strong inside game.

But it still seems that Miguel Cotto has not mentally recovered from his loss to Antonio Margarito. He was hit too much in his last fight and no longer showed the dominance he once displayed.

Fight play-out

If Cotto fights the way he did against Joshua Clottey, he will be knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the mid to late rounds. Cotto was hit way too much by Clottey. Manny Pacquiao’s fast hands will connect all night and his darting in-and-out will frustrate the Puerto Rican.

For Cotto to win this fight, he should play it smart and box the Filipino superstar. Cotto showed superior footwork and sharp jabs in the late rounds of the Clottey fight. Pacquiao can be beaten if boxed effectively as demonstrated by Erik Morales in their first fight. Plus, we don’t know if the PacMan is capable of receiving punches from a ‘real’ welterweight. Cotto should successfully impose his size and wear down Pacquiao. Not an easy task, just ask Ricky Hatton.

Manny Pacquiao and Coach Freddie Roach will come up with an effective game plan for Cotto. They are the most devastating duo in boxing today. Based on his last fights, there is no stopping the PacMan. His improved footwork and quick flurry of punches will find their mark against Cotto. Pacquiao should avoid fighting in the inside because that’s where Cotto can take advantage with his size. Expect Pacquiao to throw 5-punch combinations then dart out before Cotto can return fire.

Manny Pacquiao has a chance to validate his place among the all-time boxing greats. Miguel Cotto needs to show the brilliance he flashed before his loss to Margarito. This fight will feature all-out action; who knows if the first fight plays out evenly, there may be a possibility of Pacquiao-Cotto II.