ANGELES CITY – International boxing referee Bruce McTavish has slightly favored challenger Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to win against World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.
In an interview, McTavish of the World Boxing Council (WBC) said “it’s 60-40 and Pacquiao has the edge” when asked by Punto of his fearless forecast on the Pacquiao-Cotto title bout set at MGM Grand Hotel’s Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas, USA on Sunday. He said Pacquaio will stop Cotto via knock out in the 9th round.
A native of New Zealand and married to trader Carmen Tayag McTavish of this city, McTavish said Pacquiao will easily beat Cotto “if the Filipino pug uses his mind.”
He stressed that speed will be the “best advantage” of the 30-year-old boxer against Cotto.
McTavish said “the only way Pacquiao will lose if he becomes complacent and ‘mayabang’ (boastful).”
McTavish, who was recently awarded top boxing WBC referee of the year, said size and power” will be the advantage of Cotto against the southpaw boxing sensation.
Earlier reports said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) weighs about 160 pounds and will have to shed more than 10 pounds to make it to the 145 lb. limit.
Reports added that Cotto will have an advantage over his opponent in the match because it will the first time for the Pacquiao to fight in the welterweight class.
The 29-year-old Cotto’s fight against Pacquiao will be his first fight after losing to Antonio Margarito in July of last year. It was Cotto’s first loss after 33 straight victories.
Pacquiao, who turns 31 next month, is coming off a second-round knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton in May.
Pacquiao, who weighed just 106 pounds for his first fight in 1995, lost for the first time in 1996 when he was knocked out in the third round.
In an interview, McTavish of the World Boxing Council (WBC) said “it’s 60-40 and Pacquiao has the edge” when asked by Punto of his fearless forecast on the Pacquiao-Cotto title bout set at MGM Grand Hotel’s Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas, USA on Sunday. He said Pacquaio will stop Cotto via knock out in the 9th round.
A native of New Zealand and married to trader Carmen Tayag McTavish of this city, McTavish said Pacquiao will easily beat Cotto “if the Filipino pug uses his mind.”
He stressed that speed will be the “best advantage” of the 30-year-old boxer against Cotto.
McTavish said “the only way Pacquiao will lose if he becomes complacent and ‘mayabang’ (boastful).”
McTavish, who was recently awarded top boxing WBC referee of the year, said size and power” will be the advantage of Cotto against the southpaw boxing sensation.
Earlier reports said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) weighs about 160 pounds and will have to shed more than 10 pounds to make it to the 145 lb. limit.
Reports added that Cotto will have an advantage over his opponent in the match because it will the first time for the Pacquiao to fight in the welterweight class.
The 29-year-old Cotto’s fight against Pacquiao will be his first fight after losing to Antonio Margarito in July of last year. It was Cotto’s first loss after 33 straight victories.
Pacquiao, who turns 31 next month, is coming off a second-round knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton in May.
Pacquiao, who weighed just 106 pounds for his first fight in 1995, lost for the first time in 1996 when he was knocked out in the third round.
