One of boxing’s best-known cliches is: “A good big ‘un will always beat a good little ‘un.”

There’s a good reason for this – because in the majority of cases the bigger boxer beats the smaller one. History tells us this.

Sugar Ray Robinson, widely regarded the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer of all time, was way ahead on the cards when he quit on his stool against world light-heavyweight champion Joey Maxim at the end of the 13th round.

And if history repeats itself, then Miguel Cotto will beat Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.

But luckily there are exceptions to the rule. The most famous surely is Henry Armstrong, who went on to hold, at the same time, the world featherweight, lightweight and welterweight crowns! There were others, of course – Michael Spinks beating Larry Holmes and, if you like, Pacquiao beating Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Marco Antonio Barrera and David Diaz.

I will discuss Pacman’s wins over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton a little later, but first one must ask: “How far can Pacquiao go?”

For a guy who started out at flyweight, Pacman has proven himself to be terrific at junior-featherweight, featherweight, junior-lightweight and lightweight.

But what about his move beyond lightweight? If there’s one clue that this is as far as Pacquiao can go, it’s the fact that the agreed weight limit is 145 pounds – two pounds below the welterweight limit (trainer Freddie Roach has said as much too). I wouldn’t have minded if the fight was simply held at catchweight, but the fact that the WBO world welterweight title is on the line highlights the money-greedy mockery that modern boxing has become.

So what will Pacquiao bring to the ring as a welterweight? The truth is that we do not yet know.

When evaluating the success of any boxer, you need to look at the achievements of the men he has beaten. I do not mean their achievements before the fight in question, but their achievements after that. In Pacquiao’s case, he beat a decent lightweight in Diaz, but above the 135 pound limit he’s beaten nobody. De La Hoya retired after their bout, and Hatton is considering hanging up his gloves.

Both men were finished by the time they stepped into the ring against Pacman.

Cotto, on the other hand, isn’t. Sure, he took a beating from Antonio Margarita, but there’s a possibility that he was getting hit with illegally stacked gloves. Cotto proved he’s still a tough hombre by beating Joshua Clottey. He’s got heart, talent and power.

Pacquiao has heart, talent and speed – but we’ll have to wait and see what sort of power he’ll bring to the MGM Grand.

History may count against Pacman, but that’s why he will make history if he beats Cotto.

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4. There’s something artificial about Pacman v Cotto So Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will take on world welterweight champion...
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