MANILA – Manny Pacquiao is counting down the days until he proves himself to Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and the rest of the world that he is the rightful pound-for-pound king.
With just one week away before the “Firepower” bout in Las Vegas, Pacquiao said he knows that Cotto is ready to defend his WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Dahil ako ang challenger sa titulo ni Cotto, inaasahan ng marami na kailangan kong maipakita ang liksi, bilis at tapang sa laban,” he said in his “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com Sunday.
He added that he is surprised that many regard Cotto as the underdog of the fight.
“Kailangan ko ring patunayan na ako nga ay karapat-dapat na tanghaling pound-for-pound best boxer sa buong mundo kahit na ako ay lubos na mas maliit kaysa sa natural na welterweight na si Cotto,” he noted.
Pacquiao mentioned that he had to work hard to shape up for the welterweight champion. According to him, he and his team have done almost everything to prepare for the bout.
He noted that he has shifted his focus to other aspects of his training. “Halos pababa na ang intensity ng training at sa ngayon ay mental at spiritual training na ang focus ko,” he revealed.
Entourage
Pacquiao also revealed in his column that he is set to go to Las Vegas on November 9.
He said his friends, supporters, family members and loved ones have started arriving in Los Angeles to accompany him on his convoy road trip to Las Vegas.
His wife, Jinkee, arrived in LA with her sisters and a few friends. Pacquiao drove his Mercedes-Benz Sports Car to fetch Jinkee at the Los Angeles International Ariport.
Their four children, Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queen Elizabeth, were unable to join the trip.
Jinkee said that as always, she believes her husband can win his seventh world title. She then asked for the continuous support and prayers from Filipinos.
Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, is expected to fly to the US in the next few days. She is currently promoting her launching movie “Ang Tanging Pamilya” headlined by Ai-Ai delas Alas and former President Joseph Estrada.
Commentary: Many people think that Manny Pacquiao doesn't belong in the welterweight division. Let's see this coming Sat...
Source: Pacquiao: I have a lot to prove to Cotto
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Showing posts with label oxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oxing. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
I will beat Pacquiao – Cotto
November 9, 2009, 5:01pm
Miguel Cotto is confident of victory against Filipino pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in their November 14 battle in Las Vegas.
Miguel Cotto is convinced that he would beat Manny Pacquiao on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Las Vegas, saying that he couldn’t care less what other people think.
“I have done the right things in my camp to make a great fight on Saturday the 14th. I have no doubt I’m going to be the winner of this fight. It is going to be a great fight for me and the fans and all the boxing world,” said the Puerto Rican champion.
Less than a week before facing the Filipino pound-for-pound king, Cotto was interviewed by boxing writers through a teleconference arranged by promoter Bob Arum.
Cotto is set to leave his camp in Tampa, Florida for Las Vegas to wrap up his training that began in Puerto Rico.
The 28-year-old welterweight champion said he doesn’t pay much attention to people who don’t believe in him.
“I have to do my best whether the people believe in me or not. I am here for me, my family and the people that want to follow Miguel Cotto,” he said.
On Freddie Roach’s prediction that he would be knocked out in the first round by Pacquiao, Cotto had a mouthful to say.
“Forget about Freddie Roach. The only thing Freddie can do is train Manny. He can’t go over the ropes and into the ring to fight against Miguel Cotto. He can only train Manny the best he can,” Cotto said.
“He may say and think Manny will knock me out but at the end of the day, it is just Manny and Miguel Cotto in the ring. No matter what kind of things Freddie Roach says before the fight?I have a very strong mind. The psyche game? I’m not going to follow that game,” he added.
Cotto said Pacquiao’s renowned speed won’t be a factor.
“You know what? That’s why we prepare ourselves. He’s a fast fighter. We know he has speed. We know he has a style and we are prepared to beat it. You’ll find out on the 14th how I am going to deal with his speed. It’s not going to be a factor even though everyone thinks it is,” he said.
Cotto said he doesn’t mind being overlooked by the international media.
“I am here to do my work. I am not an artist. I am just a boxer and I have to be focused on the things I am going to do on the 14th and that is the reason I am here,” he said.
Arum believes that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight is more evenly matched than the recent showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Most journalists did not give Marquez any chance, and rightly so, against Mayweather and in this fight the journalists are split in their views as to who is going to win,” Arum said. “This is a much more competitive fight and one of the most competitive fights of the year.”
Cotto is a 3-1 underdog against Pacquiao, but Arum said odds are merely reflection on how people are betting.
“The money that’s been coming into the sports book is Philippine money coming heavy on many Pacquiao and that has no reflection at all on how close this fight is or who is the better fighter. In other words, if some millionaires from Puerto Rico got on a plane tonight and bet big sums of money on Miguel, he would be the favorite,” Arum said.
Cotto said that all the betting for Pacquiao is not going to change the result of the fight.
“If the people bet for Manny, it is all right with me. I am here for myself and not any kind of bet,” he said.
All talks about Pacquiao fighting Mayweather don’t bother Cotto.
“It’s really not important to me what the boxing world wants to see. Once I beat Manny Pacquiao they can continue their plans and do what they want but I am not going home without winning this fight,” he said.
Commentary: Oh...oh! Cotto is hell-bent on winning this fight. I am now more than 100% sure that Cotto will resort to dirty tactics once it becomes clear that he is no match to the Pacman...
Source: I will beat Pacquiao – Cotto
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
MANNY PACQUIAO MAILBAG - PART I
You keep leaving messages for me in our Forum so I'm going to try and answer all of them. However, I'm NOT going to spell check for you, so it's going up as you wrote it, people, and here we go:
Written by Venus: (Sic) Who needs a pacquiao-mayweather fight? To suggest the idea is pathetic; the point of view is cross-eyed to say the least. To assume that the winner of the Cotto-Pacman fight to face Mayweather? What would both Miguel and Manny get out of Mayweather? Money? Common let us be honest here and talk real boxing sense. Either fight, I DON'T agree that Mayweather brings in the money to the equation; easily, it is the other way around. I don't think I still need to qualify my opinion on Floyd. The fact is he is a businessman and an entertainer wearing boxing gloves. If you'll ask me i don't think boxing needs him. Why should i spend hard earned money to watch a JOKE of a "fighter" in Floyd? Now on the Cotto-Pacquiao catchweight fight. We all know that it is, as a matter of fact, a fight made in heaven where the gods are surnamed Arum and the likes, but what the heck, am still eager to watch it coz that's a fight worth seeing. Sure as hell there's going to be fireworks in there. Manny is doing it for GLORY, Miguel for MONEY. Plain and simple as that. After this fight, for boxing's sake; I would love to see a real welterweight fight between Cotto and Mosley; and a real lightweight fight between Manny and Juan Miguel. NOW, THAT WOULD BE HONEST-TO-GOODNESS BOXING BETWEEN REAL FIGHTERS BOXERS! wHO NEEDs PBF? stupid.
*
My Response: Really who needs A Mayweather Pacquiao fight? The idea is pathetic? What I find pathetic is you rolling your eyes at the biggest fight in boxing. You don’t think Mayweather brings money to the equation and boxing doesn’t need him? Well, the facts don’t lie. Mayweather is the king of PPV and a million people agreed with him when they bought the Mayweather - Marquez fight. You say Manny is doing it for glory and Miguel for money? Where are your facts? Here’s the truth: they are both doing it for the glory and the money. If it was just about the glory why not fight for free?
Written by Rhey: after reading your post, all i can say is that "you don't sound like you believe what you just posted". first of all, i now dont believe there is this thing called 'puerto rican pride' after knowing that you actually BET against Cotto on the margarito fight!. second, you have no clue what boxing is all about after knowing that you believed everything you saw on the 24/7 episode(you pro'lly believed also that hatton was a whole lot better boxer under floyd sr.). and lastly, and you better believe this, pacquiao is going to beat the **** out of cotto but he's gonna show him mercy and finish him off!
*
My Response: It’s hard for me to feel Puerto Rican pride when I am not Puerto Rican. What am I suppose to take from the 24/7 episodes? They are real life looks at both men during training camp. Unless it’s scripted, I’m going to believe what I see. He’s going to beat the **** out of Cotto yet show him mercy? Let's get real here, this is going to be a good fight but Miguel Cotto will be the winner. You think Pacquiao is going to win and I respect your opinion but why is it when I say Cotto will win you act as if I spit in your mother's face?
Written by Molybdenum: fair enough author. But I have to agree on the 1st round KO. Yup Cotto can take a beating and all, he has the tools to beat Pacquiao. But it would all really boil down to how they train theyre selves. Cotto's sparmates n trainer doesnt have the tools to make Cotto 100% in the November 14 fight. Is Cottos trainer even a boxer? Does his sparmates have enough experience to improve him? I think it would be a Cinderella story if ever Cotto wins the fight. I know hes visualy big, strong n all but according to few people hes the underdog. I do beleive he'd be going down on 3rd round or less. In terms of PBF (I bow down), 3 years ago it was very far fetch'd thinking a PBF Pacman would happen. Its like PAC fighting with Heavyweights. And now??? Even though I would still go for PAC against him, I think PBF is a great guy and a one of the best fighters. Too much publicity ruins his name. Just like PAC he doesnt say much, he always smile, he helps people out of his own pockets and yet some People hates him. Even my Mother hates him (hehehe I dont know why) and one of my good friend wants him to lose (hehehe he doesnt hate him but he wants him to lose). And a word of advice to boxing fans (fans) dont go way over board dudes. I would die for my family but not for PAC PBF JMM or any other boxer or any other human rather than my family. (Someone near our town died because of Pacquiao debate, now the other person is in jail) hehehehe.. . WATCH the fight, be a FAN, RESPECT BOTH FIGHTERS. DONT BE STUPID.
*
My Response: Now this is a boxing fan I can respect because he respects other opinions. I’m not asking you to agree with me when I say Miguel Cotto will win, all I’m asking is you respect my opinion. Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson was a Cinderella story. Miguel Cotto beating Manny Pacquiao is not. Anytime two respected world champions meet in the ring it’s any man's fight. A 40-1 underdog winning is a Cinderella story, a 2-1, hell 5-1 underdog winning is a fighter doing what he was supposed to do and that’s win. I love the sport of boxing so much but I will never die for it or end in up prison for it. As soon as a gun is pointed at me I’ll tell you whomever you want me to tell you is going to win.
Written by lhon: You're exactly right rhey! some boxing fans are not really boxing fans they ought to be. even some writers are not true boxing fans, they just know how to write but they do not how to box, fight somebody using their fists. a true boxing fans are the ones who knew how to fight like trainers, coaches,and boxers. is that what you mean tony? hey, tony will you please give the CORRECT meaning of a boxing FAN! who will watch the fight if there are no boxing fans all over the world? YOU, ALONE? because you claimed that you're a boxing fan and we're not. if i'm a cottofan you will consider me a boxing fan? pity on this writer. i don't buy your ideas. LIMITED MIND. As a writer please don't let your emotions control your mind. Be open minded. Don't be biased. If you're biased don't ever show or ever let the world or us read what you wrote... they will just ask a fight from you.
*
My Response: Let me make myself clear once again. I never said all Pacquiao fans are not boxing fans. I said I’ve talked to a lot of Pacman fans and they are not boxing fans, they are Pacquiao fans just like there are Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, etc., etc., who are not fans of the sport but only of the fighter. Why do you feel I was talking to you? Do you doubt yourself as a boxing fan? Because I pick Cotto to win I am an idiot who knows nothing about boxing? It’s great you are a Manny Pacquiao fan but when you as upset as many of you have been because I picked Cotto to win you stop being a fan, and start becoming fanatical.
Written by Oledor: Great Article Tony! At least with this article, especially your Round 10.. I salute for that one.. Yup, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Now, it justified your argument of your choice that Cotto is going to win the fight on Nov 14. But my belief is otherwise on yours.. it will be Manny who will K.O. Cotto. Take note, it will be within Round 8. Manny is a BEAST BOXER than Margarito. Cheers!!
*
My Response: Now this is what I’m talking about. Here is someone who disagrees with me, yet doesn’t call me stupid and not a fan of boxing. Like I’ve said so many times if you have picked Pacquiao to win that’s great and I respect that, I just disagree with it and I've told you why I disagree with it rather than be close minded.
Written by Jude: You're such an idiot, Tony Montgomery. What a stupid question. How can you say that Cotto is being overlooked when Manny's camp keep saying that Cotto is strong and they are not taking him lightly?
*
My Response: This is exactly what I’m talking about. The title of the article I wrote was "Is Miguel Cotto being overlooked?" Did you miss the question mark? It was a question, not a statement, can you tell the difference? Is he being overlooked? Well, when I see messages in boxing forums that say Pacquiao will stop Cotto in one round, Cotto can do nothing against Pacman, and who should Manny fight after Cotto? I look at that as being overlooked. How do YOU see it?
Charlie Santos wrote: Regardless of the result of his upcoming toss-up with Puerto Rico’s great warrior Miguel Cotto, i will always be beaming with pride for what Manny has achieved for himself and for the whole Filipino nation. Now i have a great story to tell my grandchildren when im already old and gray.And i can say to them, “see that man in that faded picture? that’s the Pacman! He was the King! and i lived during his reign.” Mabuhay ka Manny!
*
My Response: I agree with you Charlie, regardless of the outcome, Manny Pacquiao will always be remembered for what he has done in the ring. I’m not trying to take any of that away from him. I have enjoyed Manny’s rise to the top. I just feel Cotto will be the better man in the ring on the night they meet. I don’t hate Manny Pacquiao or his people, I just hate when people only want to read what they want to read from my articles. You need to stop taking my words and twisting them into what you want them to be.
Commentary: Tony Montgomery, once again you showed that you have no class as a writer...And once again you showed that you are a bias writer, a Floyd Mayweather pawn.
Source: MANNY PACQUIAO MAILBAG - PART I
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Written by Venus: (Sic) Who needs a pacquiao-mayweather fight? To suggest the idea is pathetic; the point of view is cross-eyed to say the least. To assume that the winner of the Cotto-Pacman fight to face Mayweather? What would both Miguel and Manny get out of Mayweather? Money? Common let us be honest here and talk real boxing sense. Either fight, I DON'T agree that Mayweather brings in the money to the equation; easily, it is the other way around. I don't think I still need to qualify my opinion on Floyd. The fact is he is a businessman and an entertainer wearing boxing gloves. If you'll ask me i don't think boxing needs him. Why should i spend hard earned money to watch a JOKE of a "fighter" in Floyd? Now on the Cotto-Pacquiao catchweight fight. We all know that it is, as a matter of fact, a fight made in heaven where the gods are surnamed Arum and the likes, but what the heck, am still eager to watch it coz that's a fight worth seeing. Sure as hell there's going to be fireworks in there. Manny is doing it for GLORY, Miguel for MONEY. Plain and simple as that. After this fight, for boxing's sake; I would love to see a real welterweight fight between Cotto and Mosley; and a real lightweight fight between Manny and Juan Miguel. NOW, THAT WOULD BE HONEST-TO-GOODNESS BOXING BETWEEN REAL FIGHTERS BOXERS! wHO NEEDs PBF? stupid.
*
My Response: Really who needs A Mayweather Pacquiao fight? The idea is pathetic? What I find pathetic is you rolling your eyes at the biggest fight in boxing. You don’t think Mayweather brings money to the equation and boxing doesn’t need him? Well, the facts don’t lie. Mayweather is the king of PPV and a million people agreed with him when they bought the Mayweather - Marquez fight. You say Manny is doing it for glory and Miguel for money? Where are your facts? Here’s the truth: they are both doing it for the glory and the money. If it was just about the glory why not fight for free?
Written by Rhey: after reading your post, all i can say is that "you don't sound like you believe what you just posted". first of all, i now dont believe there is this thing called 'puerto rican pride' after knowing that you actually BET against Cotto on the margarito fight!. second, you have no clue what boxing is all about after knowing that you believed everything you saw on the 24/7 episode(you pro'lly believed also that hatton was a whole lot better boxer under floyd sr.). and lastly, and you better believe this, pacquiao is going to beat the **** out of cotto but he's gonna show him mercy and finish him off!
*
My Response: It’s hard for me to feel Puerto Rican pride when I am not Puerto Rican. What am I suppose to take from the 24/7 episodes? They are real life looks at both men during training camp. Unless it’s scripted, I’m going to believe what I see. He’s going to beat the **** out of Cotto yet show him mercy? Let's get real here, this is going to be a good fight but Miguel Cotto will be the winner. You think Pacquiao is going to win and I respect your opinion but why is it when I say Cotto will win you act as if I spit in your mother's face?
Written by Molybdenum: fair enough author. But I have to agree on the 1st round KO. Yup Cotto can take a beating and all, he has the tools to beat Pacquiao. But it would all really boil down to how they train theyre selves. Cotto's sparmates n trainer doesnt have the tools to make Cotto 100% in the November 14 fight. Is Cottos trainer even a boxer? Does his sparmates have enough experience to improve him? I think it would be a Cinderella story if ever Cotto wins the fight. I know hes visualy big, strong n all but according to few people hes the underdog. I do beleive he'd be going down on 3rd round or less. In terms of PBF (I bow down), 3 years ago it was very far fetch'd thinking a PBF Pacman would happen. Its like PAC fighting with Heavyweights. And now??? Even though I would still go for PAC against him, I think PBF is a great guy and a one of the best fighters. Too much publicity ruins his name. Just like PAC he doesnt say much, he always smile, he helps people out of his own pockets and yet some People hates him. Even my Mother hates him (hehehe I dont know why) and one of my good friend wants him to lose (hehehe he doesnt hate him but he wants him to lose). And a word of advice to boxing fans (fans) dont go way over board dudes. I would die for my family but not for PAC PBF JMM or any other boxer or any other human rather than my family. (Someone near our town died because of Pacquiao debate, now the other person is in jail) hehehehe.. . WATCH the fight, be a FAN, RESPECT BOTH FIGHTERS. DONT BE STUPID.
*
My Response: Now this is a boxing fan I can respect because he respects other opinions. I’m not asking you to agree with me when I say Miguel Cotto will win, all I’m asking is you respect my opinion. Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson was a Cinderella story. Miguel Cotto beating Manny Pacquiao is not. Anytime two respected world champions meet in the ring it’s any man's fight. A 40-1 underdog winning is a Cinderella story, a 2-1, hell 5-1 underdog winning is a fighter doing what he was supposed to do and that’s win. I love the sport of boxing so much but I will never die for it or end in up prison for it. As soon as a gun is pointed at me I’ll tell you whomever you want me to tell you is going to win.
Written by lhon: You're exactly right rhey! some boxing fans are not really boxing fans they ought to be. even some writers are not true boxing fans, they just know how to write but they do not how to box, fight somebody using their fists. a true boxing fans are the ones who knew how to fight like trainers, coaches,and boxers. is that what you mean tony? hey, tony will you please give the CORRECT meaning of a boxing FAN! who will watch the fight if there are no boxing fans all over the world? YOU, ALONE? because you claimed that you're a boxing fan and we're not. if i'm a cottofan you will consider me a boxing fan? pity on this writer. i don't buy your ideas. LIMITED MIND. As a writer please don't let your emotions control your mind. Be open minded. Don't be biased. If you're biased don't ever show or ever let the world or us read what you wrote... they will just ask a fight from you.
*
My Response: Let me make myself clear once again. I never said all Pacquiao fans are not boxing fans. I said I’ve talked to a lot of Pacman fans and they are not boxing fans, they are Pacquiao fans just like there are Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, etc., etc., who are not fans of the sport but only of the fighter. Why do you feel I was talking to you? Do you doubt yourself as a boxing fan? Because I pick Cotto to win I am an idiot who knows nothing about boxing? It’s great you are a Manny Pacquiao fan but when you as upset as many of you have been because I picked Cotto to win you stop being a fan, and start becoming fanatical.
Written by Oledor: Great Article Tony! At least with this article, especially your Round 10.. I salute for that one.. Yup, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Now, it justified your argument of your choice that Cotto is going to win the fight on Nov 14. But my belief is otherwise on yours.. it will be Manny who will K.O. Cotto. Take note, it will be within Round 8. Manny is a BEAST BOXER than Margarito. Cheers!!
*
My Response: Now this is what I’m talking about. Here is someone who disagrees with me, yet doesn’t call me stupid and not a fan of boxing. Like I’ve said so many times if you have picked Pacquiao to win that’s great and I respect that, I just disagree with it and I've told you why I disagree with it rather than be close minded.
Written by Jude: You're such an idiot, Tony Montgomery. What a stupid question. How can you say that Cotto is being overlooked when Manny's camp keep saying that Cotto is strong and they are not taking him lightly?
*
My Response: This is exactly what I’m talking about. The title of the article I wrote was "Is Miguel Cotto being overlooked?" Did you miss the question mark? It was a question, not a statement, can you tell the difference? Is he being overlooked? Well, when I see messages in boxing forums that say Pacquiao will stop Cotto in one round, Cotto can do nothing against Pacman, and who should Manny fight after Cotto? I look at that as being overlooked. How do YOU see it?
Charlie Santos wrote: Regardless of the result of his upcoming toss-up with Puerto Rico’s great warrior Miguel Cotto, i will always be beaming with pride for what Manny has achieved for himself and for the whole Filipino nation. Now i have a great story to tell my grandchildren when im already old and gray.And i can say to them, “see that man in that faded picture? that’s the Pacman! He was the King! and i lived during his reign.” Mabuhay ka Manny!
*
My Response: I agree with you Charlie, regardless of the outcome, Manny Pacquiao will always be remembered for what he has done in the ring. I’m not trying to take any of that away from him. I have enjoyed Manny’s rise to the top. I just feel Cotto will be the better man in the ring on the night they meet. I don’t hate Manny Pacquiao or his people, I just hate when people only want to read what they want to read from my articles. You need to stop taking my words and twisting them into what you want them to be.
Commentary: Tony Montgomery, once again you showed that you have no class as a writer...And once again you showed that you are a bias writer, a Floyd Mayweather pawn.
Source: MANNY PACQUIAO MAILBAG - PART I
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Modest Manny shows who’s the real star
HOLLYWOOD—Overlooking the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street is a rectangular white billboard featuring an athlete flashing a serious look and wearing an all-weather hoodie.
The billboard rises, almost unobtrusively, from an obscure parking lot that is a stark contrast to the famous boulevard just around the next street bend, the one that shares its name with California’s most popular district.
The face on the billboard, though, is not as easy to ignore.
In fact, if the billboard wins the attention of passers-by, it is largely because the face is that of Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao, who is preparing to rewrite sports trivia books as he guns for an unprecedented seventh weight title.
Like its nestling spot, the billboard—which foregrounds a larger but lesser lit Kobe Bryant wall advertisement—sits in the outer fringes of the altar that pays homage to Pacquiao’s fame.
There is the guesting in a nationally televised US talk show, the filming of a commercial with the biggest names of different sports and, lately, the front-page appearance of the respected Time magazine’s Asia version.
“I really liked it,” said Pacquiao, with a smile that gave off the feeling that he hasn’t fully comprehended the impact of his being the mainer of Time magazine.
That it happened in the midst of his preparation for his bout with Miguel Cotto reduced the hammer-hitting Puerto Rican further into a supporting role of the “Firepower” card’s pre-fight hype.
“It’s amazing,” Pacquiao said of everything that has happened so far. “I never expected any of this.”
His reply echoed his statement after Time announced him as its cover.
“I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today and on the cover of Time magazine,” Pacquiao told Fightnews.com.
“A fighter’s dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life.”
Pacquiao is the first boxer in 20 years to be accorded the honor, after Mike Tyson.
Commentary: Manny has already traveled so much that no Filipino would ever think that he would reach this far. Not one including myself. This is testament to the truth that he who has the guts reaps the glory! The good thing with Manny is that he made it possible to every single Filipino who cares to watch his fight (and there are millions you know?) to share his glory by offering the victory to them instead of just owning it...Go Manny go! Your truly a phenomenon not only as a boxer but also as a human being.
Source: Modest Manny shows who’s the real star
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
The billboard rises, almost unobtrusively, from an obscure parking lot that is a stark contrast to the famous boulevard just around the next street bend, the one that shares its name with California’s most popular district.
The face on the billboard, though, is not as easy to ignore.
In fact, if the billboard wins the attention of passers-by, it is largely because the face is that of Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao, who is preparing to rewrite sports trivia books as he guns for an unprecedented seventh weight title.
Like its nestling spot, the billboard—which foregrounds a larger but lesser lit Kobe Bryant wall advertisement—sits in the outer fringes of the altar that pays homage to Pacquiao’s fame.
There is the guesting in a nationally televised US talk show, the filming of a commercial with the biggest names of different sports and, lately, the front-page appearance of the respected Time magazine’s Asia version.
“I really liked it,” said Pacquiao, with a smile that gave off the feeling that he hasn’t fully comprehended the impact of his being the mainer of Time magazine.
That it happened in the midst of his preparation for his bout with Miguel Cotto reduced the hammer-hitting Puerto Rican further into a supporting role of the “Firepower” card’s pre-fight hype.
“It’s amazing,” Pacquiao said of everything that has happened so far. “I never expected any of this.”
His reply echoed his statement after Time announced him as its cover.
“I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today and on the cover of Time magazine,” Pacquiao told Fightnews.com.
“A fighter’s dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life.”
Pacquiao is the first boxer in 20 years to be accorded the honor, after Mike Tyson.
Commentary: Manny has already traveled so much that no Filipino would ever think that he would reach this far. Not one including myself. This is testament to the truth that he who has the guts reaps the glory! The good thing with Manny is that he made it possible to every single Filipino who cares to watch his fight (and there are millions you know?) to share his glory by offering the victory to them instead of just owning it...Go Manny go! Your truly a phenomenon not only as a boxer but also as a human being.
Source: Modest Manny shows who’s the real star
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Critics: Cotto mentally unprepared for fight with Pacquiao
Barely a week before Miguel Cotto climbs into the ring to face Manny Pacquiao in their "Firepower" match on Nov. 14, in Las Vegas, boxing critics say the Puerto Rican boxer is unprepared for the biggest fight in his boxing career.
WBO Champion Miguel Cotto seems unprepared for his Nov. 14 date with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada, critics say.
Barely a week before fight night, Cotto is struggling with a number of major distractions while his handlers are doing the finishing touches for his last leg of training before he collides with the pound for-pound king.
The latest of these distractions is a report by popular sportswriter Joaquin Henson of Philstar.com regarding the case filed in court by Evangelista Cotto, the boxer's uncle and former trainer, for damages amounting to $7.5 million.
Tempers flared when Cotto wanted to move his training camp from Caguas to Tampa, Florida, against Evangelista’s wishes. They scuffled, leaving Cotto’s uncle with a broken nose and busted ribs. Evangelista said he was “brutally attacked” and suffered “serious injuries.” He filed a $7.5 million suit for damages, mainly for breach of contract, secondarily for injuries and “emotional stress” from the brawl.
The case stemmed from a near-violent encounter between Miguel Cotto and his uncle Evangelista which led to a bloody ending. It was reported that trouble started when Cotto started to move his training to Tampa Florida against the wishes of his uncle Evangelista. Cotto's actions led to the termination of the services of his uncle.
Another distraction which made boxing fans believe Cotto is ill-prepared for the Nov. 14 encounter with Pacquiao is recurring news Cotto has become a damaged fighter after his brutal defeat against Antonio Margarito of Mexico who inflicted so much punishment on the Puerto Rican boxer. A former member of Team Cotto who is now working in Team Pacquiao was quoted to have said, "Cotto is a damaged fighter." Cotto is denying that his devastating loss to Margarito badly affected his performance as a boxer. The handlers of Margarito were reported to have allegedly inserted illegal wraps into the gloves of the Mexican boxer, which caused his devastating loss.
There are also persistent reports Cotto is struggling with his Tampa team led by Joe Santiago who took over from his uncle Evangelista as trainer and coach.
And still another distraction concerning the boxers ex-wife (now reconciled) and children appeared to be affecting the psychological preparedness of the Puerto Rican boxer. It was earlier reported that Cotto's uncle resented the boxer's way of handling his family affairs. Cotto has a daughter by another woman.
Miguel Cotto has fought twice since his devastating loss to Margarito and won both fights. He was sluggish in his fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana and nearly lost the fight, prompting critics to say that he is no longer the same powerful puncher that he was before his fight with Margarito.
Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will collide in their "Firepower" match on Nov. 14 at the GM Grand garden arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
Commentary: Who says only Team Pacquiao has distractions. Both team clearly have distractions in all forms. The question now is who can better handle their own distractions -- Pacquiao or Cotto?
Source: Critics: Cotto mentally unprepared for fight with Pacquiao
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
WBO Champion Miguel Cotto seems unprepared for his Nov. 14 date with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada, critics say.
Barely a week before fight night, Cotto is struggling with a number of major distractions while his handlers are doing the finishing touches for his last leg of training before he collides with the pound for-pound king.
The latest of these distractions is a report by popular sportswriter Joaquin Henson of Philstar.com regarding the case filed in court by Evangelista Cotto, the boxer's uncle and former trainer, for damages amounting to $7.5 million.
Tempers flared when Cotto wanted to move his training camp from Caguas to Tampa, Florida, against Evangelista’s wishes. They scuffled, leaving Cotto’s uncle with a broken nose and busted ribs. Evangelista said he was “brutally attacked” and suffered “serious injuries.” He filed a $7.5 million suit for damages, mainly for breach of contract, secondarily for injuries and “emotional stress” from the brawl.
The case stemmed from a near-violent encounter between Miguel Cotto and his uncle Evangelista which led to a bloody ending. It was reported that trouble started when Cotto started to move his training to Tampa Florida against the wishes of his uncle Evangelista. Cotto's actions led to the termination of the services of his uncle.
Another distraction which made boxing fans believe Cotto is ill-prepared for the Nov. 14 encounter with Pacquiao is recurring news Cotto has become a damaged fighter after his brutal defeat against Antonio Margarito of Mexico who inflicted so much punishment on the Puerto Rican boxer. A former member of Team Cotto who is now working in Team Pacquiao was quoted to have said, "Cotto is a damaged fighter." Cotto is denying that his devastating loss to Margarito badly affected his performance as a boxer. The handlers of Margarito were reported to have allegedly inserted illegal wraps into the gloves of the Mexican boxer, which caused his devastating loss.
There are also persistent reports Cotto is struggling with his Tampa team led by Joe Santiago who took over from his uncle Evangelista as trainer and coach.
And still another distraction concerning the boxers ex-wife (now reconciled) and children appeared to be affecting the psychological preparedness of the Puerto Rican boxer. It was earlier reported that Cotto's uncle resented the boxer's way of handling his family affairs. Cotto has a daughter by another woman.
Miguel Cotto has fought twice since his devastating loss to Margarito and won both fights. He was sluggish in his fight with Joshua Clottey of Ghana and nearly lost the fight, prompting critics to say that he is no longer the same powerful puncher that he was before his fight with Margarito.
Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will collide in their "Firepower" match on Nov. 14 at the GM Grand garden arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
Commentary: Who says only Team Pacquiao has distractions. Both team clearly have distractions in all forms. The question now is who can better handle their own distractions -- Pacquiao or Cotto?
Source: Critics: Cotto mentally unprepared for fight with Pacquiao
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Cotto: Pacquiao won't beat me
Miguel Cotto is convinced he will beat Manny Pacquiao in Saturday's Las Vegas superfight.
Cotto is rated the underdog by the bookmakers for the pair's showdown at the MGM Grand, where Pacquiao will be seeking a seventh world title - namely Cotto's WBO welterweight crown.
However, the Puerto Rican is adamant that will not happen.
"If he thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent," said Cotto.
"If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong."
Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has spoken about how his man could end the fight in the very first round but, not surprisingly, Cotto has scoffed at such suggestions.
"Forget about Freddie Roach," he said when asked about the trainer's comments. "The only thing Freddie can do is train Manny. He can't go over the ropes and into the ring to fight against Miguel Cotto. He can only train Manny the best he can.
"He may say and think Manny will knock me out but at the end of the day, it is just Manny and Miguel Cotto in the ring. No matter what kind of things Freddie Roach says before the fight, I have a very strong mind. The psyche game? I'm not going to follow that game."
There have also been suggestions that the Pacquiao camp are already planning ahead for their man's next fight in March - possibly against Floyd Mayweather Jr - but Cotto says if that's the case then they are playing a dangerous game.
"What they say and what they do does not concern me," Cotto added. "They know what they have in front of him. He better be focused on what they will have in front of him in Miguel Cotto.
"Once I beat Manny Pacquiao they can continue their plans and do what they want but I am not going home without winning this fight."
Instead it could be Cotto facing Mayweather should he win on Saturday night.
Asked about the prospect of such a fight, Cotto said: "I am here for the big names and ready for the hot opponents. That's what boxing needs for the guys at the top to fight other guys at the top, like it was 20 years ago. Make the fights that fans want to watch.
"I am here for any boxer that wants to fight Miguel Cotto. They have to start with my company and I am more than ready to fight the biggest names in boxing."
Commentary: Tough words from a very tough warrior. I do believe that Cotto is very determined to win and he will do everything to win this fight. The question is, is this enough to stop the Pacman express? I don't think so...
Source:Cotto: Pacquiao won't beat me
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Freddie Roach talks tough; Manny Pacquiao backs it up
Boxing trainer a master of getting under the other guy’s skin, says he’ll take any advantage he can get
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines hits a double-end bag during a workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. Pacquiao will challenge WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for the title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 14.
Los Angeles — Freddie Roach has earned a reputation as boxing’s finest trainer. More than this, in recent years Roach has become a master of psychological gamesmanship.
Roach has developed a knack for making just the right remark to get into the heads of his opposition before a fight, for playing those mind games — “pushing the barriers, planting seeds,” as ringside color commentator John Lennon put it.
“Freddie is an expert psychologist,” promoter Bob Arum said. “He fires these shots hoping to get under the guy’s skin, and he has an advantage because he was a competitive fighter himself. He had a long series of fights and he knows all about head games.”
Before a training session this week with Manny Pacquiao at his Wild Card Boxing Club, Roach said he took up the psyche-out game in earnest last year. He enjoyed matching wits with Oscar De La Hoya — and believes he got the best of the Golden Boy — in the buildup to Pacquiao’s fight with De La Hoya last December.
Roach followed by scoring a unanimous decision in a battle of words with Ricky Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., leading up to Pacquiao’s next fight.
“For the Oscar fight, it worked so well, and I got in his head so much,” Roach said. “I’ll take any advantage I can get.”
During preparations for Pacquiao’s fight with Miguel Cotto set for Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand — first in Pacquiao’s native Philippines, later back in Southern California at the Wild Card — Roach caused a minor stir in Cotto’s camp by predicting a knockout victory for Pacquiao.
Originally Roach said the knockout would come in the first round. Later he amended the projection to a ninth-round knockout of Cotto, who has only one loss in his splendid pro career.
Cotto and his team insist they don’t care what Roach says. On a conference call Thursday, Cotto sounded as if he had had enough.
“Forget about Freddie Roach,” he said, the volume of his voice rising perhaps a fraction of a decibel — which for the even-tempered Cotto is paramount to a Lee Elia-style rant.
Roach thinks that like the Player Queen, Camp Cotto is protesting too much.
“Why would they talk about it unless it’s bothering them?” Roach said. “I’m in their heads.”
In studying video of Cotto’s previous fights, Roach said he spotted several fundamental flaws in Cotto’s style that Pacquiao will be able to exploit.
“No one is correcting them, and we’re going to take advantage of that,” Roach said. “I love this fight for Manny Pacquiao. I’m very confident in my guy.”
Pacquiao stayed on course during the Philippines portion of training camp, Roach said, even as typhoons devastated much of the archipelago.
Viewed as a national treasure in his native land, Pacquiao emerged in top-notch fighting shape despite demands on his time from various Filipino politicians.
Pacquiao went 16 rounds without a break with Roach on the mitts Monday at the Wild Card, and he sparred eight rounds Tuesday at the gym.
“One thing about the Philippines, they’re having a tough time right now because of the typhoons and so forth,” Roach said. “You know what? (Pacquiao) knows his people need motivation and something to smile about and he’s going to give that to them ...
“It’s going to be a positive for us. That’s the way we’re going to use it.”
Pacquiao weighed 148 to 149 pounds this week, with Cotto checking in at 150. The Nov. 14 fight, in which Cotto risks his WBO welterweight belt and Pacquiao will seek a title in a seventh weight class, is scheduled to take place at a “catch weight” of 145 pounds, two pounds below the welterweight limit.
“Manny’s a much bigger, stronger guy than he was last fight,” Roach said. “This is going to be an easy fight for us.”
Asked if he agreed with his trainer’s assessment, Pacquiao smiled, but then made the zipped-lips gesture by drawing his finger across his mouth.
The message was clear. He lets Roach handle the brazen predictions, the comments that make headlines — the mind games.
“My mouth is closed,” Pacquiao said.
Speaking softly in a tiny dressing room off the main floor at the Wild Card before a workout, Pacquiao, a Catholic, said he thanks God every day for his success — “the fame, the wealth, everything.”
He’s not worried about Cotto’s more muscular frame, his potent punching ability, or his vicious left hook.
“It’s not about comparing the power,” Pacquiao said. “Sometimes what’s in the mind, the knowledge, is the power.”
Pacquiao said his father, Rosalio, will be at the MGM to watch him fight for the first time in America next Saturday. His mother, Dionisia, will also attend.
He said he feels a responsibility to the sport that goes beyond himself and his family.
“You have to make people like the way you fight,” he said. “Not just Filipinos, but people all over the world who watch the fight. I want them to be satisfied.”
Commentary: “Sometimes what’s in the mind, the knowledge, is the power.” Now Pacquiao sounds like a Jedi master. Truly this man has evolved into a rickless, single-minded, one-dimensional fighter into a real Jedi master...May the force be with you Pacman!
Source: Freddie Roach talks tough; Manny Pacquiao backs it up
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Cotto-Pacquiao: Six Days Away
We've said that mega fights don't get any better than this. We've heard Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach talk big about an early knockout. We know about the issues Pacquiao has had around him during camp. We've heard Cotto's side talk about his size advantage.
We've got six more days of talk. And then next Saturday night in Las Vegas, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao have to get down to business and fight one another.
This is one of those weeks where I think we sit back and go, "Wow. This fight is really happening."
Not even two years ago, fights like this were crazy dream matches. Manny Pacquiao at welterweight (or close enough) against Miguel Cotto? Pacquiao won the 130-pound world championship against Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008. He moved up and won a lightweight strap by dominating David Diaz that summer.
And then, when Oscar de la Hoya had an opening after Floyd Mayweather's "retirement," Pacquiao did what was then unthinkable: Moved all the way up to 147 pounds and not only beat the "Golden Boy," but demoralized, battered, assaulted, embarrassed and retired him.
Pacquiao was already popular, already beloved, already respected across the world. Now he was a phenom. A two-round knockout of 140-pound world champion Ricky Hatton followed in May 2009, and then we were left to wonder, "What's next?"
Could it be Floyd? Would it be a third fight with Marquez?
Enter Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican warrior who after all this time is still being overlooked by too many. Some assume Pacquiao will truck through him. Some say Cotto is "shot," which is ridiculous.
But as much as I think Cotto is even underrated by many today, I also still have no idea who will win this fight, or how it will play out. And by "I have no idea," I mean I can't make up my mind.
One thing keeps playing in my mind, though, and I know it won't be popular with the Pacquiao superfans, but I've said it before. When he was hit by Oscar and Hatton -- which wasn't much -- he felt it. He clearly felt it. Miguel Cotto will hit him unless Pacquiao can smash him the way he did to Hatton. Cotto will be more aggressive than Oscar was. Cotto will be better than Hatton was. I am sure of both of those things, as sure as I can be.
So what does Pacquiao do when in a potential war with a real welterweight? What does Cotto do against the blinding speed of Pacquiao? Who cracks first?
That's why this fight is so great. I don't know. I just don't know what happens, but I'm expecting something sensational.
Six days, folks. That's all we have left before we find out.
Commentary: Playing safe SC? Well, if I am a casual fan I would feel the same. I mean who on earth would think that a former superfeatherweight a year ago will fight a legitimate welterweight champ. In there a reason why many people favored Pacquiao. It's the sense of invincibility. Can Cotto exposed Pacquiao? Who knows...
Source: Cotto-Pacquiao: Six Days Away
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
We've got six more days of talk. And then next Saturday night in Las Vegas, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao have to get down to business and fight one another.
This is one of those weeks where I think we sit back and go, "Wow. This fight is really happening."
Not even two years ago, fights like this were crazy dream matches. Manny Pacquiao at welterweight (or close enough) against Miguel Cotto? Pacquiao won the 130-pound world championship against Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008. He moved up and won a lightweight strap by dominating David Diaz that summer.
And then, when Oscar de la Hoya had an opening after Floyd Mayweather's "retirement," Pacquiao did what was then unthinkable: Moved all the way up to 147 pounds and not only beat the "Golden Boy," but demoralized, battered, assaulted, embarrassed and retired him.
Pacquiao was already popular, already beloved, already respected across the world. Now he was a phenom. A two-round knockout of 140-pound world champion Ricky Hatton followed in May 2009, and then we were left to wonder, "What's next?"
Could it be Floyd? Would it be a third fight with Marquez?
Enter Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican warrior who after all this time is still being overlooked by too many. Some assume Pacquiao will truck through him. Some say Cotto is "shot," which is ridiculous.
But as much as I think Cotto is even underrated by many today, I also still have no idea who will win this fight, or how it will play out. And by "I have no idea," I mean I can't make up my mind.
One thing keeps playing in my mind, though, and I know it won't be popular with the Pacquiao superfans, but I've said it before. When he was hit by Oscar and Hatton -- which wasn't much -- he felt it. He clearly felt it. Miguel Cotto will hit him unless Pacquiao can smash him the way he did to Hatton. Cotto will be more aggressive than Oscar was. Cotto will be better than Hatton was. I am sure of both of those things, as sure as I can be.
So what does Pacquiao do when in a potential war with a real welterweight? What does Cotto do against the blinding speed of Pacquiao? Who cracks first?
That's why this fight is so great. I don't know. I just don't know what happens, but I'm expecting something sensational.
Six days, folks. That's all we have left before we find out.
Commentary: Playing safe SC? Well, if I am a casual fan I would feel the same. I mean who on earth would think that a former superfeatherweight a year ago will fight a legitimate welterweight champ. In there a reason why many people favored Pacquiao. It's the sense of invincibility. Can Cotto exposed Pacquiao? Who knows...
Source: Cotto-Pacquiao: Six Days Away
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Making sense out of Cotto trainer Joe Santiago's strong comments against Team Pacquiao
For starters, Joe Santiago, Miguel Cotto's 31-year old head trainer since his last fight against Joshua Clottey, has dismissed his counterpart, Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach who has come out and questioned Santiago's cornering experience in the media calling him "green".
Santiago responded by saying he is not concerned about Roach's tactics of bashing his opposing trainer and proclaimed victory for Puerto Rico on November 14 and added, "Freddie Roach will not be fighting in the ring on November 14th, it will be Manny Pacquiao."
Not if you asked former Pacquiao opponent David Diaz. “It looked like Freddie Roach was holding me down and letting Manny at me. Man, his speed is just unbelievable!” Diaz told Philboxing.com months after his loss to Pacquiao in 2008 where he ate 10-punch combos and simply could not locate his opponent all night.
Other than his usual speed advantage, Pacquiao may be the only person in the ring every time he fights but Roach definitely makes his impact through his masterful scouting and strategic analysis of his favorite fighter's opponents. True, in it's literal sense, Roach does not take or throw punches for Pacquiao inside the ring, but his significance can be seen through the perfectly executed game plans he instills on Pacquiao. One might not be inclined to put a lot of stock on coaches when a team or an athlete is winning, but there's a reason why Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzewski, Pat Riley, Urban Meyer and a host of other great coaches in different sports get all the credit and all the millions they do.
Further, Santiago has made a statement about Pacquiao on Puerto Rico's El Nuevo Dia saying, "Manny Pacquiao is a bloated 126 pounds. He's a fighter who started at 108 pounds and has reached 145. It is very bold and so far has gone well, but on November 14, it'll be different. We have great respect for his career and hats off to him for what he's done in boxing, but on that day Miguel will be the stronger man in the ring. That will be one of the points in our favor."
I am not sure Santiago understands the kind of fighter they are facing. After going up against Pacquiao once, former Ricky Hatton trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. was so shocked and awed by the phenomenal physical specimen that blew past his ward and has said Pacquiao is on steroids. Well, how can you blame the guy, some things Pacquiao has done inside the ring have been flat out unbelievable. But those who have seen him train might have a better explanation for his incredible physical condition.
After watching Pacquiao train at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, actor and Emmy award winner Jeremy Piven said he was "so inspired" and have never seen anybody work as hard as Pacquiao does when he is training. Promoter Bob Arum who has seen the biggest names and the best in boxing train, has equivocated the same statements saying “In more than 40 years as a boxing promoter, working with Hall of Fame fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran, I’ve never (seen) anything like it. His training sessions go on for about four hours without a break”, Arum wrote in his column In My Corner and added,“The shear athleticism that Manny brings to his workouts reminds me of the great martial artist Bruce Lee. The more one reflects on Manny and his ring performances, the clearer it becomes that he is the Bruce Lee of boxing. This athletic style is unique in boxing to Manny. In more than four decades of promoting fights, I have never seen anyone like Manny Pacquiao and his Bruce Lee style of boxing.”
Bigger, maybe. Stronger? We shall all see. Pacquiao is a byproduct of the poverty that created the fighter and warrior in him that stopped at nothing to achieve lengths even he could not have initially imagined. His steroids is his drive and the people that support him like his friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez and his fans that help keep that drive alive. Pacquiao started as a skinny kid who admittedly had to put on steel weights in his pockets at weigh-ins just to make the minimum pro fighting weight allowed inside the ring. Through hard work and determination to cultivate his God-given talents, those "weights" have transfered into his fists.
Perhaps those statements Santiago made simply reinforces Roach's statements regarding his inexperience. Team Cotto can "belittle" Pacquiao all they want but the clear edge in terms of preparation, coaching and strategy clearly belongs to Manny.
Commentary: Indeed Joe Santiago is clueless of Pacquiao...
Source: Making sense out of Cotto trainer Joe Santiago's strong comments against Team Pacquiao
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Santiago responded by saying he is not concerned about Roach's tactics of bashing his opposing trainer and proclaimed victory for Puerto Rico on November 14 and added, "Freddie Roach will not be fighting in the ring on November 14th, it will be Manny Pacquiao."
Not if you asked former Pacquiao opponent David Diaz. “It looked like Freddie Roach was holding me down and letting Manny at me. Man, his speed is just unbelievable!” Diaz told Philboxing.com months after his loss to Pacquiao in 2008 where he ate 10-punch combos and simply could not locate his opponent all night.
Other than his usual speed advantage, Pacquiao may be the only person in the ring every time he fights but Roach definitely makes his impact through his masterful scouting and strategic analysis of his favorite fighter's opponents. True, in it's literal sense, Roach does not take or throw punches for Pacquiao inside the ring, but his significance can be seen through the perfectly executed game plans he instills on Pacquiao. One might not be inclined to put a lot of stock on coaches when a team or an athlete is winning, but there's a reason why Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzewski, Pat Riley, Urban Meyer and a host of other great coaches in different sports get all the credit and all the millions they do.
Further, Santiago has made a statement about Pacquiao on Puerto Rico's El Nuevo Dia saying, "Manny Pacquiao is a bloated 126 pounds. He's a fighter who started at 108 pounds and has reached 145. It is very bold and so far has gone well, but on November 14, it'll be different. We have great respect for his career and hats off to him for what he's done in boxing, but on that day Miguel will be the stronger man in the ring. That will be one of the points in our favor."
I am not sure Santiago understands the kind of fighter they are facing. After going up against Pacquiao once, former Ricky Hatton trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. was so shocked and awed by the phenomenal physical specimen that blew past his ward and has said Pacquiao is on steroids. Well, how can you blame the guy, some things Pacquiao has done inside the ring have been flat out unbelievable. But those who have seen him train might have a better explanation for his incredible physical condition.
After watching Pacquiao train at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, actor and Emmy award winner Jeremy Piven said he was "so inspired" and have never seen anybody work as hard as Pacquiao does when he is training. Promoter Bob Arum who has seen the biggest names and the best in boxing train, has equivocated the same statements saying “In more than 40 years as a boxing promoter, working with Hall of Fame fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran, I’ve never (seen) anything like it. His training sessions go on for about four hours without a break”, Arum wrote in his column In My Corner and added,“The shear athleticism that Manny brings to his workouts reminds me of the great martial artist Bruce Lee. The more one reflects on Manny and his ring performances, the clearer it becomes that he is the Bruce Lee of boxing. This athletic style is unique in boxing to Manny. In more than four decades of promoting fights, I have never seen anyone like Manny Pacquiao and his Bruce Lee style of boxing.”
Bigger, maybe. Stronger? We shall all see. Pacquiao is a byproduct of the poverty that created the fighter and warrior in him that stopped at nothing to achieve lengths even he could not have initially imagined. His steroids is his drive and the people that support him like his friend and trainer Buboy Fernandez and his fans that help keep that drive alive. Pacquiao started as a skinny kid who admittedly had to put on steel weights in his pockets at weigh-ins just to make the minimum pro fighting weight allowed inside the ring. Through hard work and determination to cultivate his God-given talents, those "weights" have transfered into his fists.
Perhaps those statements Santiago made simply reinforces Roach's statements regarding his inexperience. Team Cotto can "belittle" Pacquiao all they want but the clear edge in terms of preparation, coaching and strategy clearly belongs to Manny.
Commentary: Indeed Joe Santiago is clueless of Pacquiao...
Source: Making sense out of Cotto trainer Joe Santiago's strong comments against Team Pacquiao
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Is The Fix In?
With Cotto-Pacquiao staring us in the face, I can’t shake this cynical feeling that the fix may be in.
I’m not talking about the fight being fixed, pro-wrestling style.
There won’t be a room full of greasy old men chomping on 10 dollar cigars, planning out the details of a bogus fight. No, it’ll have to do with the tidal wave of sports history washing over and beating down a bonafide warrior from the island nation of Puerto Rico.
Reigning WBO Welterweight champ, Miguel Cotto, hasn’t caught too many breaks lately. He’s been beaten with allegedly illegal wraps by Antonio Margarito and, in his most recent fight, he was cut badly and pushed to the edge by tough African welter, Joshua Clottey.
Even when signing for the fight of his career and his largest payday to date, Cotto has been on the receiving end of less than fair treatment for a fighter considered to be one of boxing’s biggest names.
First, a catchweight stipulation was forced on him as a condition for making the Pacquiao bout. A catchweight of 145 lbs., on the surface is not all that brutal for Cotto, a fighter who weighed-in at 146 for his last contest.
However, for Team Pacquiao, the poundage, itself, was never the issue. The real reason behind the catchweight stipulation was to get inside Cotto’s head and possibly force Cotto to over train out of fear of being financially penalized for coming in over the agreed weight.
The result of this head game seems to have worked to some degree as Cotto opened camp several weeks earlier than normal and has made adjustments to lifestyle and diet…all for that one, “inconsequential,” pound.
Next, came Team Pacquiao’s insistence that Cotto put up his welterweight title in the bout, something that Cotto was squarely against. When the reigning champ balked at putting up the title to an unranked challenger in a catchweight bout, the WBO stepped in and instantly made Pacquiao the number one contender while informing Cotto that he would either put up the title or be stripped.
Again, score another one for Team Pacquiao’s quest to get inside Cotto’s head.
To add insult to injury, if you scour press reports, you’ll find Bob Arum, head of Top Rank and promoter of both Cotto and Pacquiao, discussing Pacquiao’s next fight and upcoming plans; No such talks take place regarding Cotto.
Also, as Pacquiao attempts to “make history” by being the first fighter to win seven titles in seven different weight classes, don’t think that the weight of history isn’t already weighing heavily on the officials of this bout.
It’s basic boxing knowledge that officials often have a tendency to lean towards what should happen in such important encounters instead of what’s actually happening. The desire to be part of history is strong; the desire to not impede history is even stronger. Coming into the November 14th battle, Pacquiao will find a group of officials who are, at the very least, willing to give all things Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt.
So, with a catchweight stipulation on his mind and after having conceded every possible advantage during pre-fight negotiations, Cotto steps into a ring full of Pacquiao-friendly officials, a solitary man, belittled by his own promotional company and bullied by the sanctioning body he represents.
Then, after suffering these indignities and mind games, he has to go up against the Filipino Buzzsaw, boxing’s current pound-for-pound champ, Manny Pacquiao.
If Miguel Cotto doesn’t prove to have a will of iron and a resolve of solid steal, he’s lost this one before the opening bell even rings.
Commentary: All my sympathy to Miguel Cotto. But in the end, Cotto made the decision to fight Pacquiao, and win or loss he should be man enough to handle it.
Source: Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Is The Fix In?
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
I’m not talking about the fight being fixed, pro-wrestling style.
There won’t be a room full of greasy old men chomping on 10 dollar cigars, planning out the details of a bogus fight. No, it’ll have to do with the tidal wave of sports history washing over and beating down a bonafide warrior from the island nation of Puerto Rico.
Reigning WBO Welterweight champ, Miguel Cotto, hasn’t caught too many breaks lately. He’s been beaten with allegedly illegal wraps by Antonio Margarito and, in his most recent fight, he was cut badly and pushed to the edge by tough African welter, Joshua Clottey.
Even when signing for the fight of his career and his largest payday to date, Cotto has been on the receiving end of less than fair treatment for a fighter considered to be one of boxing’s biggest names.
First, a catchweight stipulation was forced on him as a condition for making the Pacquiao bout. A catchweight of 145 lbs., on the surface is not all that brutal for Cotto, a fighter who weighed-in at 146 for his last contest.
However, for Team Pacquiao, the poundage, itself, was never the issue. The real reason behind the catchweight stipulation was to get inside Cotto’s head and possibly force Cotto to over train out of fear of being financially penalized for coming in over the agreed weight.
The result of this head game seems to have worked to some degree as Cotto opened camp several weeks earlier than normal and has made adjustments to lifestyle and diet…all for that one, “inconsequential,” pound.
Next, came Team Pacquiao’s insistence that Cotto put up his welterweight title in the bout, something that Cotto was squarely against. When the reigning champ balked at putting up the title to an unranked challenger in a catchweight bout, the WBO stepped in and instantly made Pacquiao the number one contender while informing Cotto that he would either put up the title or be stripped.
Again, score another one for Team Pacquiao’s quest to get inside Cotto’s head.
To add insult to injury, if you scour press reports, you’ll find Bob Arum, head of Top Rank and promoter of both Cotto and Pacquiao, discussing Pacquiao’s next fight and upcoming plans; No such talks take place regarding Cotto.
Also, as Pacquiao attempts to “make history” by being the first fighter to win seven titles in seven different weight classes, don’t think that the weight of history isn’t already weighing heavily on the officials of this bout.
It’s basic boxing knowledge that officials often have a tendency to lean towards what should happen in such important encounters instead of what’s actually happening. The desire to be part of history is strong; the desire to not impede history is even stronger. Coming into the November 14th battle, Pacquiao will find a group of officials who are, at the very least, willing to give all things Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt.
So, with a catchweight stipulation on his mind and after having conceded every possible advantage during pre-fight negotiations, Cotto steps into a ring full of Pacquiao-friendly officials, a solitary man, belittled by his own promotional company and bullied by the sanctioning body he represents.
Then, after suffering these indignities and mind games, he has to go up against the Filipino Buzzsaw, boxing’s current pound-for-pound champ, Manny Pacquiao.
If Miguel Cotto doesn’t prove to have a will of iron and a resolve of solid steal, he’s lost this one before the opening bell even rings.
Commentary: All my sympathy to Miguel Cotto. But in the end, Cotto made the decision to fight Pacquiao, and win or loss he should be man enough to handle it.
Source: Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Is The Fix In?
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Pacquiao: Cotto’s weight woes a factor in fight
HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao knows exactly what Miguel Cotto is undergoing.
Having done the same thing before, Pacquiao pointed out that the weight reduction the Puerto Rican is doing may play a crucial role in the outcome of their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship bout a week from now.
Aside from sweating it out, Pacquiao said Cotto also needed to lessen his food intake for him to go down at the desired catch weight of 145 pounds.
Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao showcases his 'reporting' skills for GMA Network while training at the Wild Card Gym. GMANews.TVAnd the effort, according to him, is really going to be very demanding.“Mahirap talaga `yung hindi ka kakain. Malaking epekto `yun pag-dating sa fight, especially kung dikdikan ang laban. Disadvantage talaga pag nagre-reduce ka," he said.
Pacquiao need not go far because he himself knows the feeling.
Of his three career losses, one of them was the result of his failure to make the weight, causing him to lose his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat by way of a third round knockout in Thailand 10 years ago.
He also had a hard time meeting the 130-pound limit during his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez last year, and was fortunate enough to eke out a split decision against his durable Mexican nemesis.
But all those harsh battle with the weight is all behind him now.
The 30-year-old Filipino, considered as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, is enjoying the luxury of eating a full meal today without any consideration about the weight issue.
Pacquiao even bared that he needed to have his daily intake of food in order not to lose weight.
“Puro kain nga eh. Training tapos puro kain," he said with a big laugh.
“Tayo kumakain para hindi bumaba ang timbang. Ginigising pa nga ako para pakainin eh," Pacquiao added.
At the moment, Pacquiao weighs around 148 to 149 pounds, but easily loses three pounds at the most after workout just like he did Saturday at the Wild Card gym.
“Mga 146 ako kapag tapos ng training," the Filipino southpaw said after sparring for five rounds with Urbano Antillon and Rey Beltran.
Sunday is total rest day for the boxing icon as he was also prevented from doing road works in the morning.
“Kasi grabe `yung mga jogging namin nung nakaraang linggo. Mag-sprint kami, tapos akyat ng bundok. Matindi talaga," said Pacquiao, who’s only schedule of activity is to attend the early morning Sunday mass.
Three more rounds of sparring will be held Monday before Pacquiao’s entourage departs for a six-hour road trip to Las Vegas.
Commentary: I can see Cotto in an uphill battle against the faster and fuller-stomach Pacquiao. This could be a Dela Hoya-Pacquiao all over again...I just hope that Cotto will give a great show so that the people will not discredit Manny's victory...Am I assuming to much...not really!
Source: Pacquiao: Cotto’s weight woes a factor in fight
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Having done the same thing before, Pacquiao pointed out that the weight reduction the Puerto Rican is doing may play a crucial role in the outcome of their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship bout a week from now.
Aside from sweating it out, Pacquiao said Cotto also needed to lessen his food intake for him to go down at the desired catch weight of 145 pounds.
Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao showcases his 'reporting' skills for GMA Network while training at the Wild Card Gym. GMANews.TVAnd the effort, according to him, is really going to be very demanding.“Mahirap talaga `yung hindi ka kakain. Malaking epekto `yun pag-dating sa fight, especially kung dikdikan ang laban. Disadvantage talaga pag nagre-reduce ka," he said.
Pacquiao need not go far because he himself knows the feeling.
Of his three career losses, one of them was the result of his failure to make the weight, causing him to lose his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat by way of a third round knockout in Thailand 10 years ago.
He also had a hard time meeting the 130-pound limit during his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez last year, and was fortunate enough to eke out a split decision against his durable Mexican nemesis.
But all those harsh battle with the weight is all behind him now.
The 30-year-old Filipino, considered as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, is enjoying the luxury of eating a full meal today without any consideration about the weight issue.
Pacquiao even bared that he needed to have his daily intake of food in order not to lose weight.
“Puro kain nga eh. Training tapos puro kain," he said with a big laugh.
“Tayo kumakain para hindi bumaba ang timbang. Ginigising pa nga ako para pakainin eh," Pacquiao added.
At the moment, Pacquiao weighs around 148 to 149 pounds, but easily loses three pounds at the most after workout just like he did Saturday at the Wild Card gym.
“Mga 146 ako kapag tapos ng training," the Filipino southpaw said after sparring for five rounds with Urbano Antillon and Rey Beltran.
Sunday is total rest day for the boxing icon as he was also prevented from doing road works in the morning.
“Kasi grabe `yung mga jogging namin nung nakaraang linggo. Mag-sprint kami, tapos akyat ng bundok. Matindi talaga," said Pacquiao, who’s only schedule of activity is to attend the early morning Sunday mass.
Three more rounds of sparring will be held Monday before Pacquiao’s entourage departs for a six-hour road trip to Las Vegas.
Commentary: I can see Cotto in an uphill battle against the faster and fuller-stomach Pacquiao. This could be a Dela Hoya-Pacquiao all over again...I just hope that Cotto will give a great show so that the people will not discredit Manny's victory...Am I assuming to much...not really!
Source: Pacquiao: Cotto’s weight woes a factor in fight
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Roach hits Cotto's coach
Freddie Roach has belittled the competence of Joe Santiago, saying his Puerto Rican counterpart has not fought a single bout and has no idea what its like inside the ring, according to fightnews.com, a leading boxing website.
Santiago, who is preparing Miguel Cotto against Manny Pacquiao, has been badmouthing the feisty American trainer in the local media.
“This young coach said he wants me to put all my trophy on the line because he is the best trainer in the world. Well, we’ll see about that after the fight,” said Roach.
“I have got a thousand, a million trophies from boxing and he’s never fought before. Pretty funny. He’s never fought in his life and he has no idea what it is like being in the ring. He’s got a towel on his shoulder and gives water and all of a sudden he is a coach,” said the 49-year-old former fighter.
“Cotto trains himself,” added Roach.
Roach said Pacquiao is in tip-top condition for the Nov. 14 fight with Cotto.
“He (Pacquiao) was playing around a little bit but when he wanted to turn it on, he was there and I was very happy with the sparring and we’re right on schedule,” added Roach.
While Roach and Santiago trade barbs, Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, has nothing but praise for Phil Landman, Cotto’s strength coach.
“I give the guy (Landman) credit for a lot of things that Cotto overcame in some of those tough fights where I thought he wanted to quit but he didn’t and I thought that was his conditioning that got him over that hump,” said Alex Ariza, the Colombian-born LA-based fitness expert.
But in the end, Ariza said it will be the man in the corner who will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the scheduled 12-rounder.
“The guy (Landman) is doing a great job and I think his guy will come in shape and my guy is coming in shape and it’s going to boil down to who you have in the corner and I have Freddie Roach and he’s got whoever that is and that is where it’s going to come down to,” Ariza said.
Meanwhile, Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s childhood friend and training assistant, said Cotto’s left hook is their main concern.
“Cotto’s left hook is what we’re watching,” said Fernandez.
To counter this, Fernandez said they have devised a plan that will prevent Cotto from inflicting damage with that money punch.
Fernandez said they also expect Cotto to use the same strategy employed by Juan Manuel Marquez who fought Pacquiao twice.
“We know that they studied Manny’s fight with Juan Manuel Marquez and they supposedly saw some weakness there but we have remedied that. We know what they’re thinking,” he said.
Commentary: Cotto does not have all the aces on his sleeves. Otherwise, this will not be a competitive fight anymore. True, the coaches will play a very important role here, and I suspect that once Cotto is in trouble he will collapse mentally because for sure he has more confidence in Roach (who is opposite him) then this guy Joe Santiago. Just watch the fight, and see how disarray Team Cotto will be once their fighter got tag really hard by Pacman.
Source: Roach hits Cotto's coach
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Santiago, who is preparing Miguel Cotto against Manny Pacquiao, has been badmouthing the feisty American trainer in the local media.
“This young coach said he wants me to put all my trophy on the line because he is the best trainer in the world. Well, we’ll see about that after the fight,” said Roach.
“I have got a thousand, a million trophies from boxing and he’s never fought before. Pretty funny. He’s never fought in his life and he has no idea what it is like being in the ring. He’s got a towel on his shoulder and gives water and all of a sudden he is a coach,” said the 49-year-old former fighter.
“Cotto trains himself,” added Roach.
Roach said Pacquiao is in tip-top condition for the Nov. 14 fight with Cotto.
“He (Pacquiao) was playing around a little bit but when he wanted to turn it on, he was there and I was very happy with the sparring and we’re right on schedule,” added Roach.
While Roach and Santiago trade barbs, Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, has nothing but praise for Phil Landman, Cotto’s strength coach.
“I give the guy (Landman) credit for a lot of things that Cotto overcame in some of those tough fights where I thought he wanted to quit but he didn’t and I thought that was his conditioning that got him over that hump,” said Alex Ariza, the Colombian-born LA-based fitness expert.
But in the end, Ariza said it will be the man in the corner who will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the scheduled 12-rounder.
“The guy (Landman) is doing a great job and I think his guy will come in shape and my guy is coming in shape and it’s going to boil down to who you have in the corner and I have Freddie Roach and he’s got whoever that is and that is where it’s going to come down to,” Ariza said.
Meanwhile, Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s childhood friend and training assistant, said Cotto’s left hook is their main concern.
“Cotto’s left hook is what we’re watching,” said Fernandez.
To counter this, Fernandez said they have devised a plan that will prevent Cotto from inflicting damage with that money punch.
Fernandez said they also expect Cotto to use the same strategy employed by Juan Manuel Marquez who fought Pacquiao twice.
“We know that they studied Manny’s fight with Juan Manuel Marquez and they supposedly saw some weakness there but we have remedied that. We know what they’re thinking,” he said.
Commentary: Cotto does not have all the aces on his sleeves. Otherwise, this will not be a competitive fight anymore. True, the coaches will play a very important role here, and I suspect that once Cotto is in trouble he will collapse mentally because for sure he has more confidence in Roach (who is opposite him) then this guy Joe Santiago. Just watch the fight, and see how disarray Team Cotto will be once their fighter got tag really hard by Pacman.
Source: Roach hits Cotto's coach
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Pacman stops traffic!
Manny Pacquiao stopped the flow of traffic late Saturday afternoon on Vine Street in Hollywood as he was about to honor a commitment with Nike. Pacquiao had just wound up his training at the Wild Card Boxing Club as he is revving up for next week’s big clash with Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in Las Vegas when the crowd started to swell. Members of the LAPD had to be called in to make sure Pacquiao gets out of the Wild Card premises in time for his appointment.
Commentary:I've never heard of a lone Filipino before who stopped the traffic in L.A...Manny is really that big now.
Source: Pacman stops traffic!
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
ISANG LINGGO NA LANG!
LOS ANGELES—Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat, sa mga minamahal kong tagasubaybay ng kolum na ito. Sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan saan man kayo naroroon.
Opo, ilang tulugan na lang at araw na ng laban. Isang linggo na lang ang nalalabi at sasabak na naman ako muli sa isang digmaan na siguradong papanoorin ng halos lahat ng fans ng boksing at kasama na rin ang halos lahat ng aking mga kababayan. Excited napo talaga ako.
Isa-isa nang nagdadatingan ang aking mga kaibigan, mga taga-suporta at mga mahal sa buhay at pamilya upang sabayan ako sa aking pagpunta sa Las Vegas, Nevada sa Lunes, Nov. 9. Nakahanda na ang mga sasakyan, isa rito ay isang magarang bus na ginamit pa namin mula noong isang taon. Nakadikit doon ang aking malaking larawan at inaasahang puno na naman ito ng mga tao. Dahil sa hindi kasya ang isa lang na bus, marami pang sasakyan ang siguradong makakasabay namin patungong Las Vegas, kung saan magaganap ang laban.
Alam kong handa na rin si Miguel Cotto, ang kampeon ng welterweight division na magtatanggol ng kaniyang korona sa November 14 sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa harap ng isang punong stadium.
Dahil ako ang challenger sa titulo ni Cotto, inaasahan ng marami na kailangan kong maipakita ang liksi, bilis at tapang sa laban. Kailangan ko ring patunayan na ako nga ay karapat-dapat na tanghaling pound-for-pound best boxer sa buong mundo kahit na ako ay lubos na mas maliit kaysa sa natural na welterweight na si Cotto. Sa laban na ito, kailangan kong magpalaki ng katawan upang hindi naman ako madehado sa lakas at bigat sa laban.
Nakakagulat pero nakakataba rin ng puso na malaman ko na ako ang paborito sa laban na ito kahit na ako ang challenger at kahit na mas maliit. Kaya naman pinag-iibayo ko ang training at paghahanda at sa tingin ko ay halos nagawa na namin ang aming asignatura upang pag-aralan ang lahat ng kahinaan at lakas ng kalaban at ang mga pagkakamali niya sa mga nakaraan niyang mga laban. Sa tingin namin ni coach Freddie Roach at kasama ng aking mga Team Pacquiao members, malaki ang pag-asa nating makuha ang pinaka-aasam na record—ang ikapitong world title sa ikapitong weight division—na wala pang nakakagawa sa kasaysayan ng sport na ito.
Nagpapasalamat ulit ako sa mga miyembro ng media na tumulong at tumutulong na mapaganda ang imahen ng boksing. Kung wala sila, wala ring Manny Pacquiao. Special mention also goes to the staff and writers of the prestigious Time Magazine, which put me in the cover of their Asian edition. It is an honor to be written and talked about in that publication. That also includes all the newspapers and internet websites that continue to give support to boxing.
Halos pababa na ang intensity ng training at sa ngayon ay mental at spiritual training na ang focus ko. Sana po ay ipagpatuloy na rin natin ang pagdarasal para sa isa’t-isa para sa tagumpay nating lahat.
Hanggang sa Muling Kumbinasyon. God Bless Us All.
Commentary: Manny make us more proud of you. Beat Cotto for history and for the Filipino...
Source: ISANG LINGGO NA LANG!
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Opo, ilang tulugan na lang at araw na ng laban. Isang linggo na lang ang nalalabi at sasabak na naman ako muli sa isang digmaan na siguradong papanoorin ng halos lahat ng fans ng boksing at kasama na rin ang halos lahat ng aking mga kababayan. Excited napo talaga ako.
Isa-isa nang nagdadatingan ang aking mga kaibigan, mga taga-suporta at mga mahal sa buhay at pamilya upang sabayan ako sa aking pagpunta sa Las Vegas, Nevada sa Lunes, Nov. 9. Nakahanda na ang mga sasakyan, isa rito ay isang magarang bus na ginamit pa namin mula noong isang taon. Nakadikit doon ang aking malaking larawan at inaasahang puno na naman ito ng mga tao. Dahil sa hindi kasya ang isa lang na bus, marami pang sasakyan ang siguradong makakasabay namin patungong Las Vegas, kung saan magaganap ang laban.
Alam kong handa na rin si Miguel Cotto, ang kampeon ng welterweight division na magtatanggol ng kaniyang korona sa November 14 sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa harap ng isang punong stadium.
Dahil ako ang challenger sa titulo ni Cotto, inaasahan ng marami na kailangan kong maipakita ang liksi, bilis at tapang sa laban. Kailangan ko ring patunayan na ako nga ay karapat-dapat na tanghaling pound-for-pound best boxer sa buong mundo kahit na ako ay lubos na mas maliit kaysa sa natural na welterweight na si Cotto. Sa laban na ito, kailangan kong magpalaki ng katawan upang hindi naman ako madehado sa lakas at bigat sa laban.
Nakakagulat pero nakakataba rin ng puso na malaman ko na ako ang paborito sa laban na ito kahit na ako ang challenger at kahit na mas maliit. Kaya naman pinag-iibayo ko ang training at paghahanda at sa tingin ko ay halos nagawa na namin ang aming asignatura upang pag-aralan ang lahat ng kahinaan at lakas ng kalaban at ang mga pagkakamali niya sa mga nakaraan niyang mga laban. Sa tingin namin ni coach Freddie Roach at kasama ng aking mga Team Pacquiao members, malaki ang pag-asa nating makuha ang pinaka-aasam na record—ang ikapitong world title sa ikapitong weight division—na wala pang nakakagawa sa kasaysayan ng sport na ito.
Nagpapasalamat ulit ako sa mga miyembro ng media na tumulong at tumutulong na mapaganda ang imahen ng boksing. Kung wala sila, wala ring Manny Pacquiao. Special mention also goes to the staff and writers of the prestigious Time Magazine, which put me in the cover of their Asian edition. It is an honor to be written and talked about in that publication. That also includes all the newspapers and internet websites that continue to give support to boxing.
Halos pababa na ang intensity ng training at sa ngayon ay mental at spiritual training na ang focus ko. Sana po ay ipagpatuloy na rin natin ang pagdarasal para sa isa’t-isa para sa tagumpay nating lahat.
Hanggang sa Muling Kumbinasyon. God Bless Us All.
Commentary: Manny make us more proud of you. Beat Cotto for history and for the Filipino...
Source: ISANG LINGGO NA LANG!
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Manny Pacquiao fight with Miguel Cotto a classic in the making
Arum, speaking exclusively to Telegraph Sport from the Top Rank offices in Las Vegas, explained: "I see this fight as a modern version of Duran v Hagler, or a Hagler v Hearns fight. It has that feel about it, that kind of excitement.
"Two great fighters, loved in boxing. Magazine stories, unprecedented media requests, two entire countries following their fighters, I really believe that on the night this will turn out to be a classic."
Cotto against Pacquiao brings together two fighters who are sporting icons in Puerto Rico and the Philippines respectively, and who are regarded as boxing's No 3 and No 1 pound-for-pound, respectively, at present.
Cotto, 29, a two-weight world champion, has fought at welterweight for three years, and has been beaten only once in 35 contests, while Pacquiao, 30, attempts to win a seventh world title in a seventh weight division, which has seen him come up over eight years from flyweight to welterweight. He has been beaten twice in his 55-fight career, with two draws.
Although this contest is taking place at 145lbs, Cotto's World Boxing Organisation welterweight (147lb) crown is on the table.
When Hagler and Hearns met in 1985, for the WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight titles, Hagler was 30, and had lost only twice, much earlier in his career, while Hearns was 26 and had been beaten just once, stopped in the 14th round by Sugar Ray Leonard.
Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, visited both training camps – in Baguio City in the Philippines and Tampa, Florida.
"The way Manny and Miguel are talking about it, it could be like the three-round war between Hagler and Hearns," said Arum. "The conventional wisdom is that Cotto is best when he's aggressive, but I don't know if he feels he can be aggressive with this guy from the get-go. But if Cotto is aggressive, though, it could be a Hagler v Hearns all over again.
"People ask what it's like promoting two fighters under you. It's only a win if it turns out to be the great fight you think it'll be.Then, in spite of there being a loser, both men are elevated in the eyes of the public."
So, what of preparation? "Cotto is very, very confident," said Arun. "His work effort is very, very good. He's been very methodical. He hasn't changed anything with his workouts, doing what he has always done.
"Obviously in sparring, he's been trying to be able to counter what he expects Pacquiao to do. Cotto will be Cotto on the night. He's a big, strong welterweight with a great left hand and a great body punch."
Over to Camp Pacquiao. "The other guy is inhuman," laughed Arum. "I've never seen anyone work like he does. Four hours without taking a break and at the end he has some guy with a pole hitting him in the gut for five minutes. It's almost like he's superhuman. It's like Bruce Lee coming to boxing, that's what it's like. He was sparring with Shawn Porter, who is a big guy, a junior middleweight, who is fast, and very good. To my view, from one day to the next he just gets better and better.
"I can see now why Ricky Hatton got blown away. No one has ever seen anything like this in boxing. When he's sparring it's almost like he's doing magic. It's eerie to watch Pacquaio. His is a workout the most dedicated athlete in the world couldn't duplicate."
The $6 million question is who will win?
Understandably, Arum cannot call it. "I don't know who's going to win this fight. Cotto is the strongest, best fighter Pacquiao has ever been up against, and I don't know how he'll deal with that. Cotto will know he can't compete with this guy in speed or technique. With Pacquiao, you've got to time him and tag him, try to hurt him and slow the guy up."
Arum paused. "Look, something about Pacquiao isn't human. He's already planning his normal concert – where he'll play and sing for an hour and a half to fans – in the middle of preparing for all this."
If it lives us to its billing, Cotto v Pacquiao could become a classic.
Commentary: Manny may look inhuman, and deserves the credit, but when is said and done, Manny is still very human with once-in-a-million athleticsm. I want him to win for boxing history but I hope he didn't bite too much more than he can chew...
Source: Manny Pacquiao fight with Miguel Cotto a classic in the making
"Two great fighters, loved in boxing. Magazine stories, unprecedented media requests, two entire countries following their fighters, I really believe that on the night this will turn out to be a classic."
Cotto against Pacquiao brings together two fighters who are sporting icons in Puerto Rico and the Philippines respectively, and who are regarded as boxing's No 3 and No 1 pound-for-pound, respectively, at present.
Cotto, 29, a two-weight world champion, has fought at welterweight for three years, and has been beaten only once in 35 contests, while Pacquiao, 30, attempts to win a seventh world title in a seventh weight division, which has seen him come up over eight years from flyweight to welterweight. He has been beaten twice in his 55-fight career, with two draws.
Although this contest is taking place at 145lbs, Cotto's World Boxing Organisation welterweight (147lb) crown is on the table.
When Hagler and Hearns met in 1985, for the WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight titles, Hagler was 30, and had lost only twice, much earlier in his career, while Hearns was 26 and had been beaten just once, stopped in the 14th round by Sugar Ray Leonard.
Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, visited both training camps – in Baguio City in the Philippines and Tampa, Florida.
"The way Manny and Miguel are talking about it, it could be like the three-round war between Hagler and Hearns," said Arum. "The conventional wisdom is that Cotto is best when he's aggressive, but I don't know if he feels he can be aggressive with this guy from the get-go. But if Cotto is aggressive, though, it could be a Hagler v Hearns all over again.
"People ask what it's like promoting two fighters under you. It's only a win if it turns out to be the great fight you think it'll be.Then, in spite of there being a loser, both men are elevated in the eyes of the public."
So, what of preparation? "Cotto is very, very confident," said Arun. "His work effort is very, very good. He's been very methodical. He hasn't changed anything with his workouts, doing what he has always done.
"Obviously in sparring, he's been trying to be able to counter what he expects Pacquiao to do. Cotto will be Cotto on the night. He's a big, strong welterweight with a great left hand and a great body punch."
Over to Camp Pacquiao. "The other guy is inhuman," laughed Arum. "I've never seen anyone work like he does. Four hours without taking a break and at the end he has some guy with a pole hitting him in the gut for five minutes. It's almost like he's superhuman. It's like Bruce Lee coming to boxing, that's what it's like. He was sparring with Shawn Porter, who is a big guy, a junior middleweight, who is fast, and very good. To my view, from one day to the next he just gets better and better.
"I can see now why Ricky Hatton got blown away. No one has ever seen anything like this in boxing. When he's sparring it's almost like he's doing magic. It's eerie to watch Pacquaio. His is a workout the most dedicated athlete in the world couldn't duplicate."
The $6 million question is who will win?
Understandably, Arum cannot call it. "I don't know who's going to win this fight. Cotto is the strongest, best fighter Pacquiao has ever been up against, and I don't know how he'll deal with that. Cotto will know he can't compete with this guy in speed or technique. With Pacquiao, you've got to time him and tag him, try to hurt him and slow the guy up."
Arum paused. "Look, something about Pacquiao isn't human. He's already planning his normal concert – where he'll play and sing for an hour and a half to fans – in the middle of preparing for all this."
If it lives us to its billing, Cotto v Pacquiao could become a classic.
Commentary: Manny may look inhuman, and deserves the credit, but when is said and done, Manny is still very human with once-in-a-million athleticsm. I want him to win for boxing history but I hope he didn't bite too much more than he can chew...
Source: Manny Pacquiao fight with Miguel Cotto a classic in the making
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Cotto's Sparring Partners See "Big Trouble" For Pacquiao
Two of the main sparring partners that Miguel Cotto used to prepare for Manny Pacquiao, see a lot of trouble ahead for the Filipino challenger. Pacquiao will try to win Cotto's WBO welterweight title on November 14 in Las Vegas.
Kenny Abril and Fred Tukes sparred countless rounds with Cotto while trying to emulate the style and speed of Pacquiao. They spoke with Primera Hora to give their thoughts.
"Manny has to be prepared for the fight of his life. Cotto is in magnificent condition, free of stress, gives you no rest and he's becoming stronger and faster in the ring," said Tukes, a southpaw with a 7-1-1 record as a professional.
"What impresses me most is his mental strength, and focus in each sparring session. He's not afraid of pain and has excellent tools to fight. He has a lot more resources than Pacquiao."
Abril agreed. He sees a very tough, and pain-infested fight for Manny.
"Pacquiao has never faced a welterweight like Cotto. When Cotto hits him, he is going to run. When he lands the hook to the body or the face of Pacquiao, he is going to see stars. Pacquiao is going to regret getting into the ring with Cotto," said Abril, who has a 9-3-1 record.
"There are times when I'm instructed to exchange punches with Cotto against the ropes. The sad thing is, I have to do it knowing that sooner or later he is going to hit me with two or three good blows," Abril said. "And the fact is, it is difficult to continue. He is well elusive and efficient with his counbters. His defense is amazing. I would not want to be Pacquiao."
Commentary: If Cotto can inflct pain, so can Manny. Cotto sparring partners have finally spoken...This fight is really exciting!
Source: Cotto's Sparring Partners See "Big Trouble" For Pacquiao
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Pacquiao-Cotto bout a 50-50 affair, says Rourke
HOLLYWOOD – Mickey Rourke has been a disciple of trainer par excellence Freddie Roach and is known to be chummy with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
But when asked of his thoughts about Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt, the American actor and Academy award nominee said things are going to be even.
“It’s 50-50," Rourke shot back when pressed on who he favored to win the bout.
A one-time boxer in the early 90s who had no less than Roach for trainer, Rourke came over at the Wild Card gym here coinciding with the two-hour long media workout of the 30-year old Pacquiao.
The 57-year old Rourke, whose portrayal of Randy “The Ram" Robinson in the 2008 movie “The Wrestler" earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination, shook hands and had a pleasant conversation with Roach, and later on, had a photo op with Pacquiao while the pound-for-pound king was in training.
But he appeared less gracious when his thoughts about the WBO championship fight were raised.
Rourke said Pacquiao beating Cotto is not as easy as learning A-B-C.
“I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park," said the veteran actor. “He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter."
However, one thing going for Manny, according to him, is the Filipino superstar’s vaunted speed.
“Speed would be able to offset Cotto’s power. Speed is more important than power. Manny has got to stay away from Cotto’s range since he (Cotto) can bang with both hands," Rourke said.
Rourke knows where he’s speaking from.
After briefly staying away from acting in 1991, Rourke relived his love for the sport of prizefighting by turning pro under Roach’s watchful eyes.
I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park. He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter. 
– Mickey Rourke
He was undefeated in eight fights with two of them ending up in draw.
“I would have lost if I haven’t had Freddie, coz my training habit wasn’t that good," he said of his short-lived boxing career.
Rourke would quit boxing soon after, giving to Roach all his equipment that can still be found now at the Wild Card gym.
“He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be here now (Wild Card gym). He’s the one who brought me here," said Roach in acknowledging all the help Rourke did while the three-time Trainer of the Year was still starting off with his famous sweatshop at Vine St.
Given the chance, Rourke said he’s more than willing to accept a role should a Hollywood movie on Pacquiao be made.
And he already had an idea on who is he going to play.
“I would do the Freddie roach story but I would have to wait 20 years from now," he said, teasing Roach as being too old for him to play.
Commentary: Rourke gave his honest opinion about the match. Indeed this game is not a walk in the park for either combatant. This is why the match is exciting because of this question, "Is Cotto's advantage in size and power enough to offset the speed advantage of Pacquiao or is Manny speed too much for Cotto?"
Source: Pacquiao-Cotto bout a 50-50 affair, says Rourke
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
But when asked of his thoughts about Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt, the American actor and Academy award nominee said things are going to be even.
“It’s 50-50," Rourke shot back when pressed on who he favored to win the bout.
Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, right, poses with actor Mickey Rourke after a media workout in Los Angeles, Wednesday (Tthursday in Manila). Pacquiao will face Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto in a welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas on Nov 14. AP
A one-time boxer in the early 90s who had no less than Roach for trainer, Rourke came over at the Wild Card gym here coinciding with the two-hour long media workout of the 30-year old Pacquiao.
The 57-year old Rourke, whose portrayal of Randy “The Ram" Robinson in the 2008 movie “The Wrestler" earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination, shook hands and had a pleasant conversation with Roach, and later on, had a photo op with Pacquiao while the pound-for-pound king was in training.
But he appeared less gracious when his thoughts about the WBO championship fight were raised.
Rourke said Pacquiao beating Cotto is not as easy as learning A-B-C.
“I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park," said the veteran actor. “He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter."
However, one thing going for Manny, according to him, is the Filipino superstar’s vaunted speed.
“Speed would be able to offset Cotto’s power. Speed is more important than power. Manny has got to stay away from Cotto’s range since he (Cotto) can bang with both hands," Rourke said.
Rourke knows where he’s speaking from.
After briefly staying away from acting in 1991, Rourke relived his love for the sport of prizefighting by turning pro under Roach’s watchful eyes.
I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park. He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter. He was undefeated in eight fights with two of them ending up in draw.
“I would have lost if I haven’t had Freddie, coz my training habit wasn’t that good," he said of his short-lived boxing career.
Rourke would quit boxing soon after, giving to Roach all his equipment that can still be found now at the Wild Card gym.
“He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be here now (Wild Card gym). He’s the one who brought me here," said Roach in acknowledging all the help Rourke did while the three-time Trainer of the Year was still starting off with his famous sweatshop at Vine St.
Given the chance, Rourke said he’s more than willing to accept a role should a Hollywood movie on Pacquiao be made.
And he already had an idea on who is he going to play.
“I would do the Freddie roach story but I would have to wait 20 years from now," he said, teasing Roach as being too old for him to play.
Commentary: Rourke gave his honest opinion about the match. Indeed this game is not a walk in the park for either combatant. This is why the match is exciting because of this question, "Is Cotto's advantage in size and power enough to offset the speed advantage of Pacquiao or is Manny speed too much for Cotto?"
Source: Pacquiao-Cotto bout a 50-50 affair, says Rourke
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Pacman Packs Them In On Media Day L.A.
With a bright colored bus outside the Wild Card Boxing gym painted with the pound for pound champion’s name it wasn’t a surprise to see several hundred people waiting in the parking lot.
Manny Pacquiao has become synonymous with “the big fight” that drives the sport of boxing and keeps the industry humming even in the worst of economic times.
Pacquiao’s media day is the last time journalists can see the Filipino super star before he fights Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday Nov. 14.
The big fight takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It’s also available on HBO pay-per-view.
Reporters arrived an hour before the expected time. It was a good move for those who did so.
Pacquiao arrived a few minutes after 1 p.m. and his arrival caused a stir among the press. He dived into a dressing room and changed into his sparring and workout attire, Then about a dozen reporters from various newspapers and a couple of respected web sites were shuffled into the 6 by 10 foot room.
The questions by reporters were not fired at the Filipino champion probably because he’s been through all these matches before that he was the size under dog.
“They said I would have problems with David Diaz and (Oscar) De La Hoya,” said Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) in his usual understated tone. “Cotto is a very good fighter.”
Once again Pacman will enter the ring against a champion who on paper should be the bigger and stronger fighter. Cotto has only one loss that came by knockout. Fans of the Puerto Rican still insist he was beaten by Antonio Margarito and loaded gloves. Though it was never proven. Most forget that an inspector looks at the wrappings of each fighter especially during a big fight. So be it.
It’s not Pacquiao’s problem and he lets you know that he doesn’t care about Cotto’s past, or his own future.
“I only care about Cotto,” said Pacquiao, whose trainer Freddie Roach has predicted a knockout victory for his protégé.
“It was on Monday when I finally saw the Manny I want to see,” said Roach, who added that Pacquiao worked the mitts for 17 straight rounds.
For those who aren’t familiar with the mitts, it’s often more strenouous than sparring because you can’t take a breather or back away from contact.
“He looks sharp and he’s in the shape I want him to be,” Roach said.
In the past, every time Pacman headed to the Philippines to train it’s resulted in a sub par performance. Sure he won but a 12-round unanimous decision against Oscar Larios who was knocked out by Israel Vazquez in less than three rounds. That is not what most expect from Pacquiao.
“I’m working hard so I can give a fight the fans want,” said Pacquiao.
The pocket-sized bomber has never given a dull fight in his entire pro career and with more than 90 million fans all over the world, he doesn’t expect to start next week.
“Cotto is a good boxer,” Pacquiao reiterated. “He likes to use pressure and he can box too.”
Pacquiao says his father, mother and sister will be arriving in Las Vegas to watch him fight. Though his mother had been to Las Vegas during his fight, she didn’t actually watch the fisticuffs.
“A lot of people look to me to feel good about themselves,” says Pacquiao explaining his popularity. “I’m very thankful.”
Fight fans all over the world are thankful for the fighter known as Pacman. They know if they tune in they’ll see a true prizefighter attempting to wrest a piece of history. But standing in the way is a welterweight Gibraltar named Cotto.
“I’m improving my skills everyday,” Pacquiao says.
Next week the world gets to see if it’s enough to beat Cotto.
“I’m very confident in him as of this week,” said Roach.
It’s hard to bet against Freddie.
Commentary: It's interesting to note that Freddie mentioned that he only see the Manny he wanted to see just recently. This means that the Manny who knock down Shawn Porter twice was not the Manny that is truly in the best fighting form. If I am a Cotto fan I would be a little bit worried considering that I never heard from the Cotto camp that Cotto knocked down any of his sparring partners.
Source: Pacman Packs Them In On Media Day L.A.
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Manny Pacquiao has become synonymous with “the big fight” that drives the sport of boxing and keeps the industry humming even in the worst of economic times.
Pacquiao’s media day is the last time journalists can see the Filipino super star before he fights Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) for the WBO welterweight title on Saturday Nov. 14.
The big fight takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It’s also available on HBO pay-per-view.
Reporters arrived an hour before the expected time. It was a good move for those who did so.
Pacquiao arrived a few minutes after 1 p.m. and his arrival caused a stir among the press. He dived into a dressing room and changed into his sparring and workout attire, Then about a dozen reporters from various newspapers and a couple of respected web sites were shuffled into the 6 by 10 foot room.
The questions by reporters were not fired at the Filipino champion probably because he’s been through all these matches before that he was the size under dog.
“They said I would have problems with David Diaz and (Oscar) De La Hoya,” said Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) in his usual understated tone. “Cotto is a very good fighter.”
Once again Pacman will enter the ring against a champion who on paper should be the bigger and stronger fighter. Cotto has only one loss that came by knockout. Fans of the Puerto Rican still insist he was beaten by Antonio Margarito and loaded gloves. Though it was never proven. Most forget that an inspector looks at the wrappings of each fighter especially during a big fight. So be it.
It’s not Pacquiao’s problem and he lets you know that he doesn’t care about Cotto’s past, or his own future.
“I only care about Cotto,” said Pacquiao, whose trainer Freddie Roach has predicted a knockout victory for his protégé.
“It was on Monday when I finally saw the Manny I want to see,” said Roach, who added that Pacquiao worked the mitts for 17 straight rounds.
For those who aren’t familiar with the mitts, it’s often more strenouous than sparring because you can’t take a breather or back away from contact.
“He looks sharp and he’s in the shape I want him to be,” Roach said.
In the past, every time Pacman headed to the Philippines to train it’s resulted in a sub par performance. Sure he won but a 12-round unanimous decision against Oscar Larios who was knocked out by Israel Vazquez in less than three rounds. That is not what most expect from Pacquiao.
“I’m working hard so I can give a fight the fans want,” said Pacquiao.
The pocket-sized bomber has never given a dull fight in his entire pro career and with more than 90 million fans all over the world, he doesn’t expect to start next week.
“Cotto is a good boxer,” Pacquiao reiterated. “He likes to use pressure and he can box too.”
Pacquiao says his father, mother and sister will be arriving in Las Vegas to watch him fight. Though his mother had been to Las Vegas during his fight, she didn’t actually watch the fisticuffs.
“A lot of people look to me to feel good about themselves,” says Pacquiao explaining his popularity. “I’m very thankful.”
Fight fans all over the world are thankful for the fighter known as Pacman. They know if they tune in they’ll see a true prizefighter attempting to wrest a piece of history. But standing in the way is a welterweight Gibraltar named Cotto.
“I’m improving my skills everyday,” Pacquiao says.
Next week the world gets to see if it’s enough to beat Cotto.
“I’m very confident in him as of this week,” said Roach.
It’s hard to bet against Freddie.
Commentary: It's interesting to note that Freddie mentioned that he only see the Manny he wanted to see just recently. This means that the Manny who knock down Shawn Porter twice was not the Manny that is truly in the best fighting form. If I am a Cotto fan I would be a little bit worried considering that I never heard from the Cotto camp that Cotto knocked down any of his sparring partners.
Source: Pacman Packs Them In On Media Day L.A.
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
Will Cotto get the last laugh?
There is absolutely no doubt about it, Pacquiao gets way more ink than his future opponent Miguel Cotto does. Headline after headline, it's Pacquiao this, and Pacquiao that, with Miguel Cotto rarely getting much mention, unless it's in a manner that portrays him as getting a future beat down.
The Puerto Rican champion has had a very quiet and very focused training camp. There hasn't been as much as a peep out of his camp thus far. Is an upset in the making? Most say "no" but that doesn't mean that it's not possible. The greatest fighters of all time have been beaten, and some have been on the losing end of some major upsets. Take Mike Tyson for example. Who in their wildest imagination would have dreamed that Buster Douglas would fly to Japan broke, and fly back home to America as the world heavyweight champion with a chunk of money in the bank?
Is it possible that Miguel Cotto can defeat Manny Pacquiao? Yes it is possible. Is it probable that Miguel Cotto will defeat Manny Pacquiao? No, it's not very probable. With that said, it's not completely impossible.
Pacquiao fans for the most part feel as if their champion is invincible. I mean, can you blame them? He's done nothing but demolish legends. Pacquiao himself is a bit more humble about it. He is very confident, but he is not cocky and brash about his talent.
What would the boxing forums be like in a world where Manny Pacquiao was defeated? Would they be littered with excuses and back peddling? Or would the Filipino fans be stand up about it, and give Cotto is due credit?
The only time Cotto was soundly defeated was when he faced Antonio Margarito, and who knows what was inside Margarito's gloves at the time. In fact, that was the only time he has been defeated. Cotto has taken down some very impressive names as well, such as Mosley, Judah, Clottey, and Malignaggi. He's a full fledged welterweight, big and strong. Although not many people are saying Cotto wins this fight, it wouldn't be completely crazy if the guy pulled it off.
Miguel Cotto is straight up warrior. He may not be as fast as Pacquiao, but he damn sure has heart and he can crack like a whip. Recently in an interview with http://www.8countnews.com, fellow countryman Hector Camacho Jr not surprisingly predicted a Cotto victory. Camacho feels that Cotto's jab is the key. If he is successful with his jab, Camacho believes that everything else will set up off of that jab and Cotto wins.
Pacquiao gets an awful lot of the headlines these days, but he has earned it. Cotto has not been blessed with the same amount of headline love, but I don't think he's crying about it. This fight is getting closer and closer, and at the end of the fight a lot of questions will have answers. I wonder if Floyd Mayweather Jr will be in attendance?
Commentary: I believe the biggest winner in the match are the fans who will be treated with a real no-clear-winner fight between two brave warriors who has paid their due to get where they are. Whoever, wins will win my approval unless Cotto will use some dirty tactics like a deliberate low blow. The biggest loser is Lil' Floyd Mayweather most specially if the PPV will surpass the Number One: Numero Uno (aka The Fat and the Cheater).
Source: Will Cotto get the last laugh?
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
The Puerto Rican champion has had a very quiet and very focused training camp. There hasn't been as much as a peep out of his camp thus far. Is an upset in the making? Most say "no" but that doesn't mean that it's not possible. The greatest fighters of all time have been beaten, and some have been on the losing end of some major upsets. Take Mike Tyson for example. Who in their wildest imagination would have dreamed that Buster Douglas would fly to Japan broke, and fly back home to America as the world heavyweight champion with a chunk of money in the bank?
Is it possible that Miguel Cotto can defeat Manny Pacquiao? Yes it is possible. Is it probable that Miguel Cotto will defeat Manny Pacquiao? No, it's not very probable. With that said, it's not completely impossible.
Pacquiao fans for the most part feel as if their champion is invincible. I mean, can you blame them? He's done nothing but demolish legends. Pacquiao himself is a bit more humble about it. He is very confident, but he is not cocky and brash about his talent.
What would the boxing forums be like in a world where Manny Pacquiao was defeated? Would they be littered with excuses and back peddling? Or would the Filipino fans be stand up about it, and give Cotto is due credit?
The only time Cotto was soundly defeated was when he faced Antonio Margarito, and who knows what was inside Margarito's gloves at the time. In fact, that was the only time he has been defeated. Cotto has taken down some very impressive names as well, such as Mosley, Judah, Clottey, and Malignaggi. He's a full fledged welterweight, big and strong. Although not many people are saying Cotto wins this fight, it wouldn't be completely crazy if the guy pulled it off.
Miguel Cotto is straight up warrior. He may not be as fast as Pacquiao, but he damn sure has heart and he can crack like a whip. Recently in an interview with http://www.8countnews.com, fellow countryman Hector Camacho Jr not surprisingly predicted a Cotto victory. Camacho feels that Cotto's jab is the key. If he is successful with his jab, Camacho believes that everything else will set up off of that jab and Cotto wins.
Pacquiao gets an awful lot of the headlines these days, but he has earned it. Cotto has not been blessed with the same amount of headline love, but I don't think he's crying about it. This fight is getting closer and closer, and at the end of the fight a lot of questions will have answers. I wonder if Floyd Mayweather Jr will be in attendance?
Commentary: I believe the biggest winner in the match are the fans who will be treated with a real no-clear-winner fight between two brave warriors who has paid their due to get where they are. Whoever, wins will win my approval unless Cotto will use some dirty tactics like a deliberate low blow. The biggest loser is Lil' Floyd Mayweather most specially if the PPV will surpass the Number One: Numero Uno (aka The Fat and the Cheater).
Source: Will Cotto get the last laugh?
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
WHY PACQUIAO WILL WIN BY EARLY KO
Days before Team Pacquiao left the country for Los Angeles where he has resumed his preparation for his November 14 world welterweight championship fight with titleholder Miguel Cotto, chief trainer Freddie Roach was quoted by Filipino media men as to have predicted the Filipino icon will knock the Puerto Rican out in the first round.
While many believe that when Roach makes a projection it usually comes close to reality, such statement that drew mixed reactions from the international boxing world, including the Cotto camp which, naturally, disputed the claim.
Roach in that interview, himself came up with several reasons as to why he believes a whirlwind finish in favor of his prized student is possible.
First, Roach pointed out that the defending champ’s corner is very inexperienced to handle a fight against a ring-killer like Pacquiao.
The thrice ‘Trainer of the Year’ awardee noted, too, that Cotto doesn’t have the move fast enough to contain a speedy opponent as quick as the Filipino International Boxing Organization junior-welterweight champion.
Roach was also quoted by veteran chronicler Michael Marley as saying that the World Boxing Organization 147-pound kingpin is a kind of fighter that telegraphs his punches, and, like Ricky Hatton, whom Pacquiao sent to dreamland in less than six minutes, will suffer the same fate.
“With the amount of punches that Pacquiao will be throwing at Cotto, it won’t be not too remote that the world’s pound-for-pound great could open up cuts early and, ergo, wouldn’t even be breaking a sweat to score a fast victory,” Roach was quoted as saying.
Reason why, Roach once told this during Pacquiao’s training stint in Baguio, that the pan is to start “fast and finish strong.”
“This is the best strategy that we will be using against Cotto,” the trainer said, adding that being a slow starter, Cotto will be disrupted and bothered should Manny jumps the gun on him right from the opening bell. “We need to be fast and aggressive at the start.”
"We must not give him (Cotto) the momentum because he gets stronger as the fight goes on” he said citing Cotto’s recent fights against Zab Judah, two years ago and even against Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey lately.
In those outings Cotto was hit hard and forced to fight in retreat. Against Clottey, Miguel was trying to run the clock out and do just enough to win.
Commentary: Coach Freddie Roach revealing Team Pacquiao's strategy works like a double-edge sword. It could warn Team Cotto what to expect and adjust accordingly or it could create havoc on the minds of Team Pacquiao. with Joe Santiago, not an experienced trainer, on the helm strategizing for Team Cotto, the ruse could work in favor of Tean Pacquiao. There is a chance that Team Cotto will try to adapt to this strategy this close to the fight which may play against them, defending on how flexible Team Cotto is. On the otherhand, if they choose to ignore this, somehow the idea will play in the mind of Cotto and will affect his confidence. Coach Freddie Roach is really a master in the game of boxing and psywar.
Source: WHY PACQUIAO WILL WIN BY EARLY KO
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
While many believe that when Roach makes a projection it usually comes close to reality, such statement that drew mixed reactions from the international boxing world, including the Cotto camp which, naturally, disputed the claim.
Roach in that interview, himself came up with several reasons as to why he believes a whirlwind finish in favor of his prized student is possible.
First, Roach pointed out that the defending champ’s corner is very inexperienced to handle a fight against a ring-killer like Pacquiao.
The thrice ‘Trainer of the Year’ awardee noted, too, that Cotto doesn’t have the move fast enough to contain a speedy opponent as quick as the Filipino International Boxing Organization junior-welterweight champion.
Roach was also quoted by veteran chronicler Michael Marley as saying that the World Boxing Organization 147-pound kingpin is a kind of fighter that telegraphs his punches, and, like Ricky Hatton, whom Pacquiao sent to dreamland in less than six minutes, will suffer the same fate.
“With the amount of punches that Pacquiao will be throwing at Cotto, it won’t be not too remote that the world’s pound-for-pound great could open up cuts early and, ergo, wouldn’t even be breaking a sweat to score a fast victory,” Roach was quoted as saying.
Reason why, Roach once told this during Pacquiao’s training stint in Baguio, that the pan is to start “fast and finish strong.”
“This is the best strategy that we will be using against Cotto,” the trainer said, adding that being a slow starter, Cotto will be disrupted and bothered should Manny jumps the gun on him right from the opening bell. “We need to be fast and aggressive at the start.”
"We must not give him (Cotto) the momentum because he gets stronger as the fight goes on” he said citing Cotto’s recent fights against Zab Judah, two years ago and even against Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey lately.
In those outings Cotto was hit hard and forced to fight in retreat. Against Clottey, Miguel was trying to run the clock out and do just enough to win.
Commentary: Coach Freddie Roach revealing Team Pacquiao's strategy works like a double-edge sword. It could warn Team Cotto what to expect and adjust accordingly or it could create havoc on the minds of Team Pacquiao. with Joe Santiago, not an experienced trainer, on the helm strategizing for Team Cotto, the ruse could work in favor of Tean Pacquiao. There is a chance that Team Cotto will try to adapt to this strategy this close to the fight which may play against them, defending on how flexible Team Cotto is. On the otherhand, if they choose to ignore this, somehow the idea will play in the mind of Cotto and will affect his confidence. Coach Freddie Roach is really a master in the game of boxing and psywar.
Source: WHY PACQUIAO WILL WIN BY EARLY KO
To read more fight news update of the upcoming welterweight boxing championship fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Miguel Cotto go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update. Or to read fight news commentary go to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Fight News Update.
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