LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, expects to face the toughest challenge of his career against holder Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday.
Some of the biggest names in boxing have been speaking about the hotly anticipated bout scheduled for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena:
* Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, one of the most fearsome and notorious fighters of all time. "I pick Manny Pacquiao by knockout. I think he will knock him out in (round) seven or eight. Manny just has too much for Cotto."
* Felix 'Tito' Trinidad, a five-time world champion who ruled as a welterweight, junior-middleweight and middleweight. "Manny is a big puncher and a good boxer but he has never faced a natural welterweight like Miguel. Cotto is the most dangerous fight of Pacquiao's career and I think Cotto will win on a decision. He might even get a knockout."
* Former world champion Bernard Hopkins, who reigned supreme in the middleweight division for a decade. "Pacquiao is going to chop Cotto up. Cotto will get some rounds but Manny is the Bruce Lee of boxing. His basketball and martial arts background give him that speed and agility. You can't tell where his shots are coming from."
* WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley, who has won world titles in three weight divisions. "I think Cotto will win because he's a little bit bigger and is a real welterweight. His power may be enough to overcome Pacquiao's speed. I think Cotto wins in a decision."
* Britain's undefeated world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, who announced his retirement from the ring in February. "Manny Pacquiao is going to be too quick for Cotto. I was ringside when Cotto fought (Joshua) Clottey and he seemed to struggle a bit in that fight. Cotto is the bigger guy but I still think Pacquiao beats him in a decision."
* Renowned trainer Angelo Dundee, who has worked with Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman. "If I ever had a fighter fighting Pacquiao, I would implement the things that Cotto brings to the table. Certain ingredients that spell Cotto will give Pacquiao trouble. I see a very tough distance fight. There is going to be blood."
* Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, whose famous fights included bouts with Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. "Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world. And it leaves you kind of complacent when you're winning. Even if you don't want it to, sometimes you can't get up for a big fight. And that's a plus for Cotto. I think Cotto wins in a 12 round decision."
(Compiled by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Ken Ferris)
