George Foreman thinks Miguel Cotto "is going to pull out a decision" against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.

Foreman is backing the WBO welterweight king to retain his belt in an eagerly-awaited match-up fought at 145lbs in the MGM Grand Garden.

And the main reason for Foreman's backing - that gruelling split decision Cotto won against Joshua Clottey in his last outing at Madison Square Garden back in June.

"I think there would have been a good opportunity for Pacquiao to win if he faced Cotto before he fought Clottey, but now Cotto is thinking defence," said the former heavyweight world champion.

"I think Cotto is going to pull out a decision, and now because of the terrible beating he took against Margarito, he knows he can't get into a knockdown drag-out brawl. He's going to be smarter, and I think Cotto wins in a 12-round decision."

Pacquiao comes into the bout on the crest of a wave - having shot to worldwide stardom with desctrutive performances to defeat Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

But Foreman says that factor could work against him on Saturday night.

"Pacquiao has been riding high and has beaten some of the best in the world. And it leaves you kind of complacent when you're winning. And even if you don't want it to, sometimes you can't get up for a big fight. And that's a plus for Cotto," he said.

"I think it's an excellent fight. But when you're riding high you think you're going to walk through your opponent. You get overconfident. People in your camp tell you you're going to win. And you have your spies in camp, telling you about the other guy.

"When I faced Ali, Frazier and Norton both had beaten Ali, and I had knocked them out pretty easily. So when I faced Ali, I had that confidence, and you think I surely can beat this guy. So I know the feeling, and I think that will happen to Pacquiao."