RP champs Donaire, Viloria see Pacquiao by decision over Cotto

LAS VEGAS – Filipino boxing champions Nonito Donaire Jr. and Brian Viloria have no doubt Manny Pacquiao will beat Miguel Cotto in their 12-round welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand Saturday (Sunday, Manila time). But they are also one in agreement that their popular countryman is facing the toughest test of his career in Cotto. In the end however, they expect their fellow boxing champion to walk away with a win through the judges’ scorecards. Both Viloria and Donaire were present during Friday’s official weigh-in for the Pacquiao-Cotto match. “Those saying Manny would easily knock him out, I don’t buy it. Manny will going to win this, but it’s going to be a tough fight," said Viloria, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight king. Donaire for his part, stressed Pacquiao’s speed, combined with power, are the ones that will make the difference. “I see Manny’s speed as the key. Cotto is strong, but Manny has got power, too. I see Manny winning by decision," said Donaire, a one-time IBF flyweight champion. For Viloria, he expects the 12-round fight to be a “chess match", with Cotto trying to make it a defensive fight by switching to be a counter-puncher. He added, the Puerto Rican welterweight champion will definitely go to the body and try to wear out the current pound-for-pound king. “Cotto can’t go after him (Pacquiao) because that’s what Manny wants, that’s Manny’s kind of fight," the boxer dubbed the “Hawaiian Punch" said. Still, he sees the 29-year Cotto is a very, very dangerous opponent, so “Manny has got to be smart and not play too much to the crowd." Cotto’s compatriot, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez, sees Cotto overwhelming Pacquiao by decision. “Cotto is stronger and bigger and he will win the fight. I think it’s going to be a decision," Lopez said. – GMANews.TV