Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto tale of the tape and more

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The tale of the tape for Saturday’s anticipated welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is missing just one category, which will be settled after 3 p.m. today when the six-time world champion Pacquiao and welterweight belt-holder Cotto step on the scales inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The weigh-in is open to the public, with doors opening at 1 p.m. At 5:30 a.m., the first person started the line, said an MGM security official.

For those waiting for the weight numbers to be finalized for the bout that contractually demands each man to weigh in at 145 pounds, here’s the other key numbers to chew on:

Age: Pacquiao 30, Cotto 29; Record: Pacquiao 49-3-2, 37 KOs, Cotto 34-1, 27 KOs; Height: Pacquiao 5-6 1/2, Cotto 5-8; Reach: Pacquiao 67”, Cotto 69”; Chest normal: Pacquiao 38”, Cotto 39”, Chest expanded: Pacquiao 41”, Cotto 41”; Biceps: Pacquiao 13”, Cotto 13”, Forearm: Pacquiao 12”, Cotto 11 1/2”; Waist: Pacquiao 28”, Cotto 32”; Thigh: Pacquiao 20”, Cotto 22 1/2”; Calf: Pacquiao 15”, Cotto 12”; Neck: Pacquiao 16”, Cotto 16”; Wrist: Pacquiao 8”, Cotto 7 1/2”; Fist: Pacquiao 10”, Cotto 11”.

-- An unofficial poll of writers has been finalized, with 16 selecting Pacquiao and eight picking Cotto. HBO did a tour of the media center Thursday interviewing writers across the country, including me, about the outcome. Check it out here.

Last night, I talked to veteran matchmaker Bruce Trampler, who told me Pacquiao spent two and a half hours inside a Vegas gym, getting in a workout in which he looked intense and sharp. Trampler, who works for the promoter of both fighters, Top Rank, wouldn’t go as far as guaranteeing a Pacquiao victory.

He said what so many others are saying about the fight: it has all the makings of a classic.

--Lance Pugmire