Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto on November 14

Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have tentatively agreed to fight in Las Vegas on November 14, giving the world's best pound-for-pound boxer a very challenging fight against a highly ranked opponent -- and ensuring that we won't see Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather any time soon.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Bob Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, says he's close to getting contractual arrangements worked out for Pacquiao and Cotto to fight each other. The fighters would have to agree on how they would split the purse and how much they'd both weigh before the deal can get done, but Arum indicated that Cotto -- not Shane Mosley -- is Pacquiao's likely next opponent:

"I hope to put it together this week, to get an agreement on terms," Arum told The Times on Monday in a telephone interview from his Top Rank headquarters in Las Vegas. ...

"Shane's a terrific fighter, but for now he's the second choice," Arum said. "If we can't put together a Pacquiao-Cotto fight, we'll reach out to Shane."

Cotto beat Joshua Clottey by split decision on Saturday, with Pacquiao sitting at ringside. Although Cotto suffered a very serious cut on an accidental head butt during the fight, he is expected to be ready to begin sparring again in time to prepare for a November bout.

A Cotto vs. Pacquiao fight would be one of the biggest of the year in boxing. But it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for boxing fans, because it would also be a step away from the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather superfight that everyone wants to see.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

6-16-2009 @ 2:12PM

Kasey said...

It might be a good fight, but I couldn't bet against the pound for pound king.

6-16-2009 @ 3:24PM

mike said...

This fight maybe exciting if Cotto can keep up with Manny which I find very doubtful.

6-20-2009 @ 12:01AM

Andra said...

he dosn't have to cotto is a body destroyer

6-16-2009 @ 3:28PM

medycman said...

Cotto by majority decision.

6-16-2009 @ 3:29PM

As for the pound for pound king, it's Bernard Hopkins.

6-16-2009 @ 3:59PM

Antonio said...

This is indeed an interesting development if they're able to pull it off. Hopefully Cotto is able to heal and rest properly so his cut is not a factor. This fight would have the effect of steering Mayweather into Mosley's hands which might be a bad thing for Mayweather providing he gets past Marquez first. The odd man out will be Berto who may also have someone unpleasant in his future (Clottey)!

6-16-2009 @ 6:25PM

swords46 said...

I love Cotto, he is a real throwback warrior, but I think he will be dealt his third physical beating, this time by the Pac Man .

6-17-2009 @ 2:49PM

hcanophd said...

only one time he got beat by margarito with plaster on his hands how much do you know

6-16-2009 @ 6:42PM

mike-n-ike said...

I told people, Pac peoples dont want to see May

Now Cotto peoples do want to see May

6-21-2009 @ 7:02PM

nelson fontanez said...

i dont'thinck i will spend a dime to watch mayweather fight with any of his opponents i dont like hes style he dont got heart he run a lot he fight with the fighter he want to fight he dont fight like a real champion cotto or pacman or tito or shane mosle is not a pound of pound fighter

6-16-2009 @ 7:37PM

BOGDAN said...

medycman said...
As for the pound for pound king, it's Bernard Hopkins.

HOPKINS WHO LOST TO JOE CALAZAGHE FROM WALES HAHA............AND HE BEAT ANOTHER BEST POUND FOR POUND ROY JONES JR. HAHA.........

6-17-2009 @ 1:54AM

Sky's the limit! said...

I give Joe his due but then again he fough an old washed up bernanrd and Roy Jones Jr. Now if he fought them 10years earlier no way way in hell Joe will walk out the victor, and everyone knows that.

6-16-2009 @ 7:49PM

wildculture said...

Pac keeps getting into fights that should not favor him that don't even seem fair and keeps destroying his opponents. Cotto is a true champion and a true lion like Pac he comes to fight . these are two proud warriors that come to the ring to as lehgendary conquerors. they do not want a decision. they will not run. they will not hide. Its going to be explosive. I cannot believe that Pac keeps coming after the bigger fighters and true champions at that. I am a Cotto fan but my hat off to Pac and the Phillipinos . They make me proud to be a boxing fan. I do not dare to make a prediction but I will say this..its not just about money with these two with their legendary hearts.

6-17-2009 @ 1:14AM

spicsapian said...

you hit the nail on the head.... your comment is one of the most inteligent and realistic comments ive seen on here in a month... everybody tries to comment like they are experts in boxing.. saying who is going to whup who. im a die hard cotto fan.. and yes i like pacman alot.. but im hoping cotto can win this fight.. im not so sure to say my guy is gonna whip your guy... gotta be real about it.. its going to be a great fight. good luck to both men but more luck to cotto...lol

6-19-2009 @ 11:47PM

well i got to disagree with you here look at how and what weight he beat the golden boy. On top of that the golden boy is easily broken he like a dog. cotto is going to be a little different i think this time it a mistake because of the size and power of cotto

6-20-2009 @ 10:56PM

VIGRANT said...

Dude, I'm a Pacman fan first but Cotto second & your comment is on point! Alot of these ppl talkin out they a$$ with all this May & Hop stuff! Man give me a break! May hasnt even come close to beating the level of competition Pac has! Not even close & if ya'll disagree you's a damn lie! What more & who else does Pac have to embarass to get some respect up in here! AS for Cotto he's a warrior! It wouldn't suprise me if he beats Pac but I wouldn't bet the house on it!

7-01-2009 @ 1:02PM

Matt Widmyer said...

he goes after bigger fighters and makes them come down to his weight. he has down this many times and refuses to go up and meet someone at their weight class

6-16-2009 @ 8:30PM

paq and cotto is going to be a great fight... cotto is the more stronger of the 2 but paqs in and out style and constant punching can cause a problem for cotto.... if cotto clocks him good a few times i believe pacman will fall... cant say who will win... i am a cotto fan as much as a paq fan.. i hope cotto wins.. but it will be difficult to say. i see post here saying cotto will destroy pacman or pacman will destroy cotto. nobody knows... im a fan but i dont live in fantasy land.. i live in real life.. and there is no way anyone can predict who wins this fight. i wish them both the best. but i hope cotto wins..

6-16-2009 @ 8:34PM

i dont see manny paqs poeple running from anyone... i think mayweathers poeple are too difficult to deal with. mayweather is a difficult person ... i think mayweathers camp wants a 60 40 split. and paqs want a 50 50 split. mayweather is all about money.. they feel he deserves more than the other guy.. paq does not need mayweather.. i think mayweather needs paq a little more...

6-19-2009 @ 2:28PM

John Butler said...

cotto v. mayweather not happening was more because of top rank and bob arum than mayweather...why do you think this fight happened so easily? it wasnt because manny wanted it so bad it was because Arum and top rank promote both of them... and if the manny v. mayweather fight doesn't happen than it will be mixture of floyd wanting too much $$ and Arum having his feud with floyd