MANNY PACQUIAO

History is not on Manny Pacquiao’s side in the Filipino's quest to win the world welterweight crown on November 14.

This is the belief of Joe Chavez, the cutman for Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, who faces Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Chavez, who had previously worked in Pacquiao’s corner, told the Puerto Rican press that Cotto’s huge advantage in size and strength will make the difference.

“An excellent small fighter like Pacquiao can win against a big but not as talented fighter like (Ricky) Hatton and can also win against Oscar De La Hoya, who was no longer in his peak (when Pacquiao beat him last year),” said Chavez.

“Cotto is better than those two and is bigger and stronger than Pacquiao. With everything else equal, if you have one talented small man and one equally talented big man, the bigger one will win,” continued Chavez, describing the 29-year-old banger as a “complete fighter.”

Citing the cases of exceptional fighters like ex-world light-heavyweight champion Bob Foster and former welter and middleweight king Sugar Ray Robinson, Chavez said Cotto's sheer size will prevent Pacquiao from becoming the first Filipino fighter to win a version of the world 147-lb crown.

Foster challenged Muhammad Ali and got beaten to a pulp, while Robinson attempted to annex the light-heavy title but melted away against Joey Maxim.

Chavez said the bottom line will be Cotto's strength.

“(Cotto) will be too strong for him (Pacquiao),” added Chavez.

Meanwhile, Phil Landman, Cotto's conditioning coach said the punch rate of Cotto has improved tremendously.

“I have been counting each blow that Miguel throws,” said Landman, a native South African. “For the Joshua Clottey fight (last June), he averaged 45 blows per round but he is now throwing an average of 65 blows per round. Miguel is ready to fight,” said Landman.

In another development, Cotto will host a media workout on Tuesday at 12 noon at the Pound-for-Pound Gym in Los Angeles. The following day, Pacquiao will preside over his own media day at the Wild Card at 1 p.m.