Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach are expecting a tough fight for the WBO welterweight title against Miguel Cotto on November 14.
Pacquiao will enter the ring as favourite contempt being the naturally smaller man, although that hasn't stopped him beating Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in his last two fights.
However, the man currently rated the best pound-for-pounder in the world is taking nothing for granted against Cotto, who suffered the only licking of his career against Antonio Margarito last year.
"This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer," he said. "I know he is an brilliant, smart fighter and a great world champion.
"We also know that he is excellent in body punching and that he's strong so we have to study that, how to counter it and fight that in the ring.
"We also want to use our own advantage over Cotto. Everybody knows that I am faster than Cotto so how can I use that speed in the fight? I will do my best in this fight to capture my seventh title belt."
Roach, who correctly predicted Ricky Hatton would go down inside three rounds last time, expects this one to go the distance.
"It's going to be a much more tactical fight than people think because he (Cotto) is a very smart fighter," Roach said.
"It's who can apply their game plan and use it to the fullest advantage.
"I think this is going to be a 12 round fight, no knockout. This guy (Cotto) is very bounce. If a knockout comes, it comes but if you go out there looking for a knockout, you might get caught yourself. We have to be very tactical."
Pacquiao will enter the ring as favourite contempt being the naturally smaller man, although that hasn't stopped him beating Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in his last two fights.
However, the man currently rated the best pound-for-pounder in the world is taking nothing for granted against Cotto, who suffered the only licking of his career against Antonio Margarito last year.
"This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer," he said. "I know he is an brilliant, smart fighter and a great world champion.
"We also know that he is excellent in body punching and that he's strong so we have to study that, how to counter it and fight that in the ring.
"We also want to use our own advantage over Cotto. Everybody knows that I am faster than Cotto so how can I use that speed in the fight? I will do my best in this fight to capture my seventh title belt."
Roach, who correctly predicted Ricky Hatton would go down inside three rounds last time, expects this one to go the distance.
"It's going to be a much more tactical fight than people think because he (Cotto) is a very smart fighter," Roach said.
"It's who can apply their game plan and use it to the fullest advantage.
"I think this is going to be a 12 round fight, no knockout. This guy (Cotto) is very bounce. If a knockout comes, it comes but if you go out there looking for a knockout, you might get caught yourself. We have to be very tactical."
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