On Saturday, November 14, 2009 in MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada, USA the stars will collide as two of the most exciting and entertaining boxers in the world today will slug it out to fight for world boxing supremacy in a fight card called "FIREPOWER: Pacquiao vs. Cotto", at stake is the WBO Welterweight Championship belt held by Miguel Angel Cotto and also a rare WBC Diamond belt will be given away to the winner of this 145 lbs. catch-weight match--A first in world boxing championship history--The pound-for-pound king Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao is also said to set a new milestone in his colorful boxing career if he wins this bout against Cotto--He will become the first boxer to win 7 world boxing titles in 7 different weight divisions overcoming the record of the Golden Boy Oscar Dela Hoya which won 6 titles in 6 different weight class. But Miguel Cotto has other plans, as he tries to act as a spoiler to Manny's hunt for invincibility, for He also wants to prove to everyone that he could be the next big thing in boxing and continue to dominate the Welterweight division.

VITAL STATISTICS

Before the actual fight on Saturday, first let's try to compare these two gladiators' ring records. And try to find some interesting stats that might matter come fight night.--In terms of fight records, Pacquiao has the advantage in experience having more professional fights with 54 (49W-37KO-3L-2D)in total compared to Cotto's 35 (34W-27KO-1L-0D)total career bouts but on the flip side Cotto has the higher KO percentage having 27 out of his 34 wins coming by way of knockout while Pacquiao has 37 out of 49 wins.--In terms of Physical attributes, Cotto enjoys a 1 1/2" height advantage over the shorter Pacquiao which stands 5'6 1/2'' tall. The reach is dead even at 67" each and in terms of the so cold age factor, Pacman is 2 years older than the 29 year old Cotto.--Preparation wise, Cotto being the heavier fighter had to start training as early as posible so that he will have enough time to reduce his weight from 147lbs. to 145lbs. He started training last August in Puerto Rico, while the lighter Pacquiao having no problem in catching weight started his training camp one month later on September in Baguio city, Philippines just enough for the targeted 8 weeks conditioning training before the fight.

STRATEGIES

With both fighters' almost canceling each other out in terms of ring records, physical attributes, and fight preparations, the strategies of both fighters will surely come in effect here. For Cotto being the slower fighter he got to cut the ring and corner Pacquiao so that he can't move around the ring and start to hit Pacquiao with those power left hooks and try to dominate and dictate the pace of the fight. While on the other end Pacquiao needs to move around the ring, don't let Cotto corner him, He must show those in and out, side to side fight tactic. Pacquiao can't afford to be a steady target that's why he needs those body and head movement so that Cotto won't have the chance to caught him with thos heavybombs that is a legit welterweight punches. Pacquiao must be more agressive specially in the early rounds because as we all know Cotto is more of a go the distance type of fighter.

FORECAST

Based on experts' analysis and online forums, Pacquiao has the advantage in this fight over Cotto with his relentless boxing skills and unmatched energy paired with a heart of a champion but Miguel Cotto is not a push over type of a fighter and he believes that has something to prove to everyone and he thinks that he deserves to be among the elites in the world of boxing. At this moment everything is still unsure whether who will go out with a victory, but one thing is for sure with these two fighters being urged by their countrymen to win this fight will live up to its expectations of being the fight of the year. So, boxing fans get ready for one heck of a boxing match come saturday live on HBO pay-per-view.