Pacquiao vs. Cotto – Firepower will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2009. It is a boxing welterweight superfight for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship. The bout will be between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao of General Santos, Philippines (49–3–2, 37 KO) and Miguel "Junito" Cotto of Caguas, Puerto Rico (34–1, 27 KO). The superfight will take place at the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air live on HBO Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.
Pacquaio vs. Cotto will not only be the premier boxing superfight of the year and determine the direction of the sport, but it also has an incredible amount of historic significance on the line. Pacquiao will be gunning for an unprecedented seventh world title in his seventh weight class. No athlete in any form of combat sports has ever achieved this feat. If this was Jiu-Jitsu, it would be like 2009 black belt light-featherweight world champion Guilherme Mendes, coming back to win multiple black belt world titles in heavier weight classes, against opponents such as the current middleweight black belt world champion Marcelo Garcia.
The following are 20 key boxing categories and who I feel will have the edge in each:
Jab: Pacquiao
Hook: Pacquiao
Cross: Pacquiao
Uppercut: Pacquiao
Body Punching: Cotto
In Fighting: Cotto
Combinations: Pacquiao
Defense: Pacquiao
Hand Speed: Pacquiao
Foot Speed: Pacquiao
Strength: Cotto
Ring Generalship: Pacquiao
Versatility: Cotto
Chin: Pacquiao
Stamina: Pacquiao
Motivation: Pacquiao
Finishing Ability: Pacquiao
Heart: Cotto
Superfight Experience: Pacquiao
Fan Support: Pacquiao