LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao, the biggest drawcard in contemporary boxing, will face the toughest challenge of his career when he takes on holder Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday.

Although Filipino Pacquiao is widely viewed as the favourite in his bid to win a seventh world title in an unprecedented seventh weight class, the scheduled 12-round bout has whet the appetite of fans and boxing insiders alike.

Renowned trainer Angelo Dundee predicts ‘’a great, great fight’’ at the MGM Grand Garden Arena while former heavyweight champion George Foreman has backed the bigger and more powerful Puerto Rican to win on a split decision.

“You have a perfect blending of style in this fight,’’ Dundee told reporters in the build-up to Saturday’s clash. ‘’If I ever had a fighter fighting Pacquiao, I would implement the things that Cotto brings to the table.

“Cotto is a pressure fighter and he’s going to be on Pacquiao from the get-go. He’s got a great left hook and he’s a good body puncher.

“I see a very tough distance fight, and there is going to be blood,’’ added Dundee, who has trained Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Foreman.

“Pacquiao takes it to you all the time but in this fight he is going to have to back up. He’s smart, slick, and has great hand speed, but Cotto counters those things.’’

Pacquiao, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has a glittering record of 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts but Foreman believes he could fall victim to complacency.

“Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world,’’ Foreman said. ‘’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.’’

Cotto, who has won a world title every year since 2004, has an enviable career record of 34-1 featuring 27 knockouts.

Although Pacquiao holds a significant speed advantage over the Puerto Rican, he has great respect for Cotto’s punching power, strength and intelligence.

“This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer,’’ the 30-year-old southpaw said. ‘’I know he is an excellent, smart fighter and a great world champion.

“We also know he is good in body punching so I have to counter that. I am prepared for anything Miguel Cotto has to offer. I feel like I know him like I know myself.’’

While Pacquiao and Cotto have consistently expressed mutual respect for one another in the build-up to the fight, the Filipino’s trainer Freddie Roach has been typically outspoken.

“We are in great shape and I have never seen my fighter looking better,’’ Roach said. ‘’Pacquiao’s a much better defensive fighter than he’s ever been.

CHAMPION: Miguel Cotto 34 wins, one defeat, 27 KOs
Cotto, 29, has held a world title every year since 2004. Rebounded from the most disappointing loss of his career to Antonio Margarito in July last year by gutting out a 12-round decision over Joshua Clottey in June.

The eight-year pro is Puerto Rico’s brightest star and has already had a hall-of-fame career. Weighed 156 pounds as an 11-year old so started fighting as a way to lose weight. Needed plastic surgery to repair a nasty gash over his left eye from a head butt in the Clottey bout. This is his second fight with Joe Santiago as his head trainer.

CHALLENGER: Manny Pacquiao 49 wins, three defeats, two no contests, 37 KOs
Pacquiao, 30, is going for his seventh world title in seven different weight divisions. He is coming off two superb victories dominating Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008 before destroying Ricky Hatton in just two rounds in May.

This month he made the cover of the Asia edition of Time magazine, joining former president Corazon Aquino as one of the few Filipinos to grace the cover. The 14-year pro made his debut at age 16 as a 106 pounder and captured his first title in the 112-pound flyweight division. His world titles have come in weight classes ranging from 112 to 140 pounds.