Steward Perplexed By Cotto vs. Pacquiao

November 11th, 2009

Sometimes a Superfight is so evenly matched between two extraordinary warrior champions that even the most knowledgable and experienced prognosticators find themselves literally stumped at trying to envision the winner. This weekend’s fascinating showdown between Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto has so confounded Emanuel Steward.

“Cotto is stronger than Ricky Hatton was at that weight, and it’s his natural weight,” said Steward this week, just days before Cotto and Pacquiao will do battle in Las Vegas. “But Manny is an accurate puncher. Precision puncher and he can use all kinds of different angles. And he has good footwork, he can move in and out. But Cotto can box when he has to too. When he has to get on his toes, he can do that too.”

The Hall of Fame manager, trainer and TV commentator just can’t figure this one out. “I have it as dead even. I’ll be honest with you. Dead even!”

One thing is for sure, it’s been a long time since the welterweight division has been able to match the very best against the best – and the fight lived up to beyond anyone’s expectations. We are long overdue or this one. So sit back, enjoy and don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts on Saturday night.