MANILA, Philippines – A second face-off between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto would be an interesting follow-up of their all-out slugfest in 2009, according to an ESPN sports analyst.
ESPN's Brian Campbell said "Pacquiao-Cotto 2" would look fantastic from fight fans' perspective, especially when compared to the Filipino's possible rematches against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.
"The best option -- for boxing, at least -- might not seem so apparent," Campbell said in hisblog. "Whether or not it's the best option for Manny Pacquiao, a rematch with Miguel Cotto would be fantastic news for boxing."
The 2009 bout that took place at a 145-pound catch weight saw Pacquiao hammering the Puerto Rican superstar with a 12th-round stoppage.
The Filipino boxer walked away with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, his 7th world title.
But Campbell said things are not the same since Pacquiao's victory over Cotto three years ago.
"Cotto, meanwhile, appears completely removed from the version of the fighter who had been labeled damaged goods in the aftermath of a brutal loss to Antonio Margarito, and has rebuilt his confidence at 154 pounds," said Campbell.
"[On the other hand] Pacquiao is also clearly not the same dynamic force who once steamrolled Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto in consecutive bouts, as evidenced by his past three fights."
Pacquiao is set to choose between Cotto, Marquez and Bradley for his next opponent in November.
The Filipino superstar lost a controversial decision to Bradley last June.
Pacquiao also had his third fight against Marquez in November last year. The fighting congressman managed to come out with a unanimous decision win during that tiff.
from ABS-CBN News
