Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have taken on numerous fighters, but the fight on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is expected to unravel new styles and strategies of both camps.

Style

COTTO is a workhorse. His knockout wins came over fighters who opted to slug it out. He loves to bang and takes to give his own.

Ironically, even his only loss to Antonio Margarito was brought about by this style of fighting. Margarito took everything Cotto could throw and the moment he found an opportunity, pummeled Cotto into submission. Cotto was baffled by how Margarito simply took all his powerful shots that when it was his turn to defend, his body simply caved in.

Cotto’s aggressive style, however, when used correctly and consistently, could also be effective against quicker opponents. Cotto proved this against opponents who like to fight from a distance like Shane Mosley, Paulie Malignaggi and Joshua Clottey.

Pacquiao is a combination distance fighter and a slugger. In fact, he is so complete that he is totally unpredictable. One thing is sure though—he would not want an exchange with Cotto inside. Speed is what got him here and speed is what will give him the win. Pacquiao is expected to dart in, connect and pull out at once.

Cotto, being the champion that he is, will adjust to this. He will have to work hard though on his agility, movement and timing.

Cotto’s game plan

THE direction Cotto will have to take is to pin Pacquiao down against the ropes and toward the corners.

Using his left jab, he will try to push Pacquiao and control the fight. He will have to train hard to enable to cut the ring the whole night. He must make the ring so cramped for Pacquiao to make him uncomfortable and be forced to fight inside. When close enough, he should be able to unleash right straights and attempt to finish that combination with two left digs to the body.

He will take some punches to throw a few of his own. He must be his consistent hard-working self and keep Pacquiao close and tease him to engage.

Pacquiao is obviously training to fight an orthodox fighter, it is possible that Cotto will fight using a southpaw stance. He has done so in the past and, being left-hand dominant, might just do so again to derail Pacquiao’s fight plan.

To implement his strategy, Cotto must stop Pacquiao from moving. Expect him to hold, use his elbow and lean into Pacquiao in his attempt to throw enough punches and hope that his power shots connect.

Pacquiao’s strategy

THE strategy of the quicker Pacquiao will be to fight from a distance.

Ever since Pacquiao’s second fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, no one has been able to touch him. David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton hardly connected against Pacquiao, who always moves around the ring.

Without a height and reach advantage, Cotto is a sitting duck for Pacquiao. Speed will carry the Filipino through as he will dart in and out, and move right to left to turn the Puerto Rican around as he finds openings to throw his left-hand straight.

Pacquiao will possibly utilize a 1-2-3 step out combination to further confuse Cotto.  He will avoid getting hit but will make sure that he hurts Cotto with at least one of those three punches.

The battle actually began three months ago when both boxers began planning their strategies. At this time they should be doing drills, building their stamina and conditioning and preparing their bodies to simply implement their strategies.  The better strategy implemented correctly will guarantee a win.