A LOT of people believe that Miguel Cotto isn’t the same boxer that he once was after being battered and bloodied by Antonio Margarito last year. However, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao isn’t taking his chances and still treats Cotto as one of the best fighters today.

“This is the toughest fight of my career and I will not waste this opportunity. I’m taking this fight with the seriousness it deserves. I won’t let myself get carried away with the comments (of others). Many are saying the punishment from Margarito and Clottey has affected him, but I won’t depend on that. Cotto is still a very strong fighter, bigger than me. I have to fight smart and not underestimate him,” said Pacquiao in a report posted at BoxingScene.com.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Record loss

Margarito handed Cotto his first career loss following an 11th round stoppage. But the victory was tainted after Margarito was found out later, in his fight with Shane Mosley, that he placed a hardening substance on his hand wraps.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao and his coach, Freddie Roach, have dedicated themselves to thoroughly studying Cotto’s style and formulating a strategy to counter it.

“The intensity remains the same. Perhaps what has changed somewhat is the type of training strategy, because we have to adjust to a particular style to fight Cotto. We need to apply certain techniques. I have spent many hours of studying (film) with Freddie, to identify his weaknesses and strengths and to find his key points,” said the pound-for-pound king.

“We are ready for what they bring. We have studied him very well. What I do is stand in the ring, box and put on the best fight possible. I’m not looking for a knockout. But I’ll welcome it if it comes,” he added.

Defense

The 27-year-old Cotto is defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight strap at the catch weight battle of 145 pounds. Also on the line is the vacant World Boxing Council Diamond belt. (EKA)