Cotto will start as the underdog when he defends his WBO welterweight crown against the Filipino superstar in the MGM Grand on November 14.

For the Puerto Rican it's a return to the same ring where he lost his unbeaten record to Antonio Margarito in July of last year.

Some experts believe the bloody beating Cotto suffered that night damaged Miguel for good. And he knows beating Pacquiao would be the perfect way to silence the doubters.

"He's just another boxer who comes to my division and challenge me for my title. The night of November 14 I'm going to be prepared for him, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to beat Manny Pacquiao."

The pain of that defeat by Margarito resurfaced in January of this year when the Mexican was discovered to be wearing illegal handwraps on the night of his bout with Shane Mosley.