Oscar de la Hoya believes that Shane Mosley is a better boxer than Miguel Cotto and added that promoter Bob Arum is just trying to protect Pacquiao by fighting Cotto instead of Mosley as a prelude to a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight early next year.
Among Pacquiao’s possible opponents who include Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, Cotto appears to be the easiest to beat.
Judging from the individual performances in their most recent fights, it is quite clear that among the four top fighters, Cotto appears to be the easiest to beat in a Pacquiao match.
Cotto’s latest ring performance against Clottey in their recent fight leaves much to be desired. Many boxing fans believe that Clottey has actually won the fight. If the Clottey fight will be used as basis for comparison among the rated fighters, then Cotto would be Pacquiao’s easiest assignment.
In the case of Shane Mosley, Pacquaio may find him difficult to beat as he is a better puncher than Cotto according to Oscar de la Hoya. Mosley is much superior in built than Pacquiao though he is much older.
Juan Manuel Marquez may even surpass Cotto in terms of fighting style. Marquez has mastered the art of counter punching and has proven it with the Pacquiao himself when he fought with the pound-for-pound king a few years ago.
As de la Hoya said, promoter Bob Arum is trying to protect Pacquiao by electing to face Cotto instead of Mosley because the promoter knows that Pacquiao will emerge as a sure winner. And if Pacquiao wins over Cotto and so with Mayweather over Marquez, then the astute promoter will be assured of a mega fight in Pacquiao vs. Mayweather early next year.
It could also be Pacquiao’s last fight as the Filipino boxing superstar will be running for a congressional seat in the 2010 national elections.
