by Bryan Trafford, Inside Fights, Special to FOXSports.com

Miguel Cotto looks destined to benefit from the Pacquiao bump next. Pacquiao was ringside as Cotto recently won a close split decision over Joshua Clottey.

Immediately following the fight, promoter Bob Arum intimated that Cotto-Pacquiao would likely happen this fall. The contracts have not been signed yet, but Arum is moving forward as if the fight will take place. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach also seems pretty warm to the idea, but wants Cotto to come down to 144 or 143.

There's where the main problem lies with this bout. Roach has been adamant that he wants Pacquiao to continue fighting no higher than 143 or 144. It is debatable whether Cotto can make this weight safely. Cotto is rather large for a welterweight, and routinely comes in well over 160 on fight night.

When he was a junior welterweight, Cotto struggled for years to make the 140-pound limit, and it began affecting his performance then. He was hurt and dropped several times, most noticeable against Ricardo Torres who almost knocked him out. These performances were blamed on Cotto's inability to make the weight safely.

If you need another example of what can happen to a weight-drained fighter, look no further than Oscar De La Hoya. Against Pacquiao, De La Hoya weighed in at 145 but only put on two pounds by fight time. He was unable to rehydrate himself properly, and had to receive several IVs. In the December fight, a sluggish De La Hoya was dominated and stopped after eight one sided rounds.

If all parties agree and this fight is signed, it may be the weight that determines the outcome. If Roach has his way and Cotto has to boil himself down to 143, the fight may be won before the boxers enter the ring. Roach knows the further down in weight Cotto comes, the weaker he will be.

Pacquiao is quicker and might actually have more miles left in the gas tank. Cotto may be starting to show signs of wear and tear, while Pacquiao is looking better than ever.

At 147, this fight appears to be an almost even match. At 144, Pacquiao would seem to be the favorite. At less than 144, it could become another lopsided Pacquiao blowout.