Like a typical 12-round championship fight the Bulletin made the rounds with 12 boxing personalities and picked their brains regarding today’s bout between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

Gary Shaw, American promoter – “Manny much faster, Cotto much stronger. Will be a test of wills. Biggest real 147 pounder that Manny has faced. If Manny hits, moves, and doesn’t get hit, he wins. If he stays close in tight, then he loses a decision.”

John Russel, trainer of ex-heavyweight champ Buster Douglas – “It should be a good fight all the way around. I think Pacquiao will be too fast and his power is good now. I love Pacquiao he is a great fighter and he is good for boxing. But I’m going to pick Cotto.”

Cameron Dunkin, American manager of Nonito Donaire – “Hard to pick against Manny, he’s so great. With that said every boxing person I know is telling me Cotto is gonna win.”

Billy Keane, manager of Gerry Peñalosa – “If Cotto makes the same mistake Hatton made -- trying to come out and show that he is stronger -- I think Manny will KO him in 1 or 2. If he boxes from the start I think Manny will stop him on cuts around the 9th.”

Elias Nasser, Australian manager of Vic Darchinyan – “I love the way Manny fights and the power he possesses but I am worried that this fight will be a war similar to Pacman’s fights with Marquez. Manny has one punch-stopping power and Cotto is able to grind his opponents down for the breakdown. I take Cotto to win but if Manny happens to pull this fight off he will definitely be the best fighter P4P we have seen in the last 30 years.”

Rene Barrientos, ex-world lightweight champion – “Delikado si Manny sa first five rounds dahil malaki at malakas si Cotto. Pero yun lang tsansa ni Cotto. Kung makaiwas si Manny sa lakas ni Cotto after five rounds, mananalo si Manny ng decision.”

Donnie Nietes, WBO world minimumweight champion – “Knockout lang ang panalo ni Cotto kasi mas malakas siya. Kaya lang tingin ko hindi makaya ni Cotto na patamaan si Manny. Masyadong mabilis at magaling gumalaw si Manny. Pacquiao by decision.”

David Itskowitch, VP Golden Boy Promotions – “To be honest, I can’t pick a winner. I could see either guy winning any way you can think of.”

David Diaz, ex-Pacquiao foe – “Cotto is patient and has skills he needs to use it in the early rounds. If he can force Manny to lunge in, that’s the only way Cotto can connect. If it goes to the later rounds, that’s when it will get bad for Cotto.”

Gary Gittelsohn, manager of Brian Viloria – “I believe Manny’s God-given speed combined with his extraordinary ring intelligence will overcome the physical strength advantage Cotto enjoys. Manny will frustrate Cotto all night.”

Shelly Finkel, ex-manager of Pacquiao – “The Manny of today and the Cotto of today. I pick Manny by stoppage in the middle rounds.”

Sergio Diaz, manager of Antonio Margarito – “I think Cotto has recovered from the Margarito fight. But still Manny is the better all-around fighter and it’s helping him a lot to have a great trainer in Freddie Roach.”