NEW YORK — Every once in a while, Manny Pacquiao would lean over to Top Rank boss Bob Arum and whisper something, perhaps giving the promoter a blow-by-blow analysis of Miguel Cotto’s welterweight title defense against Joshua Clottey.

Then again, the pound-for-pound king may have been describing how he’d handle Cotto himself.

The pride of Puerto Rico bruised his way to a split decision over Clottey on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, with Pacquiao seated just a few feet from the ring. Cotto’s bloody win may set up a big-money fight between them this fall, although there will be others lining up for a chance at one of the most exciting fighters in the game.

“The people have to wait until I rest a little bit,” Cotto said after the fight, a deep gash over his left eye heavily bandaged. “I’m on vacation.”