‘Hands of Stone’ Duran picks Pacquiao over Cotto

LAS VEGAS – Legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran sees himself in Manny Pacquiao, reason why he’s picking the explosive Filipino boxer to win over Miguel Cotto in their 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight Saturday (Sunday in Manila). “It’s gonna be a tough fight, but I like Pacquiao," said the 58-year-old boxing legend dubbed “Hands of Stone." “Pacquiao is very tough when he fights. He’s very strong. So I like him." Like the Filipino pride, the Panamanian successfully moved up in weight. He began his colorful boxing career fighting as a lightweight, where he won his first world title. Later on, he climbed in weight and became champion in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight divisions. Now a bit plump on the side, Duran is best remembered for his classic wars with Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. He retired from boxing in 2002, with a ring record of 103-16, with 70 KOs. Ring Magazine later named him the fifth greatest fighter in the last 80 years. But it was his gung-ho, unrelenting ways of fighting that truly endeared him to hardcore boxing fans. Just like Pacquiao. “Pacquiao is a man that charges on. You can land one on him, but the next time, he won’t be there anymore. He’s a very good fighter," Duran said. Despite Duran seemingly leaning on Pacquiao, he said the fight won’t be easy, stressing that while a knockout is a probability, the Panamanian admitted "I don’t expect one (knockout)." "I’ll have Pacquiao by decision." - GMANews.TV