"You know they are talking about a catchweight, but I say we fight him at 154. Manny beats him any day of the week," commented world-class trainer Freddie Roach when asked about a potential rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. According to Roach, discussions have already taken place and both fighters could potentially meet for a second time at a catchweight. "I don't think Cotto is any better than he was last time. He says he is better at that weight; maybe we'll see," he added.
Of course, if Roach doesn't think Cotto is any better now than he was just 8 months ago, when Pacquiao easily defeated him via 12th round TKO, it begs the question, why even have the rematch to begin with? "Well, he [Cotto] won a title and it would be for Manny's 8th world title, so it gives it some legitimacy," Roach would explain in a recent interview with Gabriel Montoya of Maxboxing.com. It's true that a rematch with Cotto would provide Pacquiao an opportunity to win another world title in a record 8th division. That being said, just how legitimate is that record if two of the titles were won against the same opponent who was not allowed, on two occassions now, the full benefit of the division's maximum weight limit?
Considering that Pacquiao thoroughly dominated Cotto, knocking him down in 3rd and 4th round the first time they met, it's bad enough that a rematch is even being considered as a viable option should a fight with Mayweather fall through. If they do end up fighting again, however, I think most fans would agree that there's no need for a catchweight the second time around. Pacquiao has proven that he's a legitimate welterweight, and like Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and several other welterweights before him, if he wants to challenge for a title in the jr. middleweight division, he should be willing to face the champion at 154 pounds. Besides, if Freddie Roach, his own trainer, doesn't think it will be any problem, then what's the concern?