For years, he was viewed as a heavily protected fighter, sheltered by the arms of a promoter who knew exactly how to map out his future, despite the rumblings of fans who felt he was little more than a manufactured Puerto Rican hype, anxious to grab what was left of the islands rich history in the sport.
In the 140lb jr. welterweight ranks, many saw Cotto struggle at times, partly due to a chin that the public perceived as more porcelin than powerful.
Silently, while they all sat back and formulated thoughts that now amount to very little, the Puerto Rican banger has somehow figured it all out.
Gone are the days of questioned stamina, present are the days of world class endurance. Gone are the remnants of questionable opposition, present is a resume that proves precisely why he now stands on the stage he now stands.
At 147lbs, bar none, there is no more legitimate fighter anywhere in the sport.
In his last 11 fights, Cotto has only fought 3 men who some would view as minimal test, (Branco, Urkal, and Jennings). That laundry list of dominant foes dominated includes the likes of powerful Colombian Ricardo Torres, speedy Zab Judah, Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey, and Shane Mosley.
He has developed what was once average boxing skills into what can now be viewed as a very thorough ability, as evidenced by his destruction of slick boxers like Malignaggi and Carlos Quintana, a man who owns the dubious distinction of being the only fighter to date to defeat the awkward Paul Williams.
As we take a trip down memory lane and bring things back full circle in the career of Miguel Cotto, we ask, does the lessons learned in years of the past help him at all against the man he'll be confronted with on November 14th?
Pacquiao has demonstrated more ability and fire than nearly all of those men, but what he hasn't demonstrated is the ability to accomplish such feats against a man that not only carries more power, but is also younger, and truly in his prime.
This defining moment in the career of Cotto may serve as a breeding ground to remove all the pain from the past; but it won't come easy.
Manny Pacquiao is determined to prove yet again why he is the sports pound-for-pound king. But Miguel Cotto is a man on a mission that won't be denied. Considering that someone has to lose, the operative question today is will he (be denied)? Or better yet, can he?
We'll find out in less than two weeks.
Commentary: Mr. Vivik Wallace, Manny Pacquiao too is on a mission not only for himself but for his country as well. Indeed, we will see who will prevail come Nov. 14.
Source: Miguel Cotto: Can he be denied?
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.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Pacquiao a Knockout on Jimmy Kimmel
When Manny Pacquiao emerged from backstage for Tuesday night's appearance on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, he was greeted by chants of "Manny, Manny," from what appeared to be a large contingent of his Filipino countrymen.
Near the end of the segment, Pacquiao, wearing a dark, button-down shirt and blue jeans, literally closed the show, singing along with the band as the members of the crowd, collectively, waved their arms.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) hopes to score a similar knockout performance on Nov. 14, when he challenges WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) at the MGM Grand at a catchweight of 145 pounds.
"I respect Miguel Cotto. I told him that he's a champion for this fight and I'm just a challenger," said Pacquiao, who is looking to become the first fighter to win a title in a seventh weight class.
"This is fight is very important to me," said Pacquiao. "It's going to be history in boxing."
Playing on Pacquiao's nickname, Kimmel asked the multi-belt champion if he knew what "Pac-Man" is, to which he answered, "My dog," adding, to the audience's delight, "I have a dog named Pac-Man."
At one point, Kimmel displayed a small poster of Pacquiao's soon-to-be-released movie, Wapak Man.
His powers "are a mix of Superman and Spider-Man," explained Pacquiao, who is depicted standing in front of three beautiful women in a full-bodied red suit with the letters, "W", and, "M," signifying the hero's name across his chest in yellow letters.
Pacquiao drew one of the many laughs on the night when he discussed his family, including his fourth child and youngest daughter, Queen Elizabeth, whom Kimmel referred to as "Queen Latifah."
Another subject was a unique training regimen used by Pacquiao to toughen up his arms and stomach, during which a member of his staff pounds those body parts with a cane-like stick.
Kimmel produced the stick, and pounded it on his desk.
"Yeah," said Pacquiao. "And it hurts."
Kimmel then had one of his assistants playfully feign the practice by lightly tapping it on Pacquiao's stomach.
"Now, how about you?" Pacquiao asked Kimmel, who allowed the fighter to do the same to him.
Paquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said the technique has its roots in Thailand, where they "use it to deaden the pain so you can absorb a punch better."
"Manny's not getting whacked with it. It is just a small motion. We use it for sit-ups, but he is not getting whacked," said Roach.
"I don't know if I agree with it 100 percent, but Manny loves it. We've been doing it for five years now and it works for Manny," said Roach. "But if somebody is going to hit me with a stick, they better bring a big one."
Commentary: Go Manny go! Knock out Cotto!
Source: Pacquiao a Knockout on Jimmy Kimmel
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.
Near the end of the segment, Pacquiao, wearing a dark, button-down shirt and blue jeans, literally closed the show, singing along with the band as the members of the crowd, collectively, waved their arms.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) hopes to score a similar knockout performance on Nov. 14, when he challenges WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) at the MGM Grand at a catchweight of 145 pounds.
"I respect Miguel Cotto. I told him that he's a champion for this fight and I'm just a challenger," said Pacquiao, who is looking to become the first fighter to win a title in a seventh weight class.
"This is fight is very important to me," said Pacquiao. "It's going to be history in boxing."
Playing on Pacquiao's nickname, Kimmel asked the multi-belt champion if he knew what "Pac-Man" is, to which he answered, "My dog," adding, to the audience's delight, "I have a dog named Pac-Man."
At one point, Kimmel displayed a small poster of Pacquiao's soon-to-be-released movie, Wapak Man.
His powers "are a mix of Superman and Spider-Man," explained Pacquiao, who is depicted standing in front of three beautiful women in a full-bodied red suit with the letters, "W", and, "M," signifying the hero's name across his chest in yellow letters.
Pacquiao drew one of the many laughs on the night when he discussed his family, including his fourth child and youngest daughter, Queen Elizabeth, whom Kimmel referred to as "Queen Latifah."
Another subject was a unique training regimen used by Pacquiao to toughen up his arms and stomach, during which a member of his staff pounds those body parts with a cane-like stick.
Kimmel produced the stick, and pounded it on his desk.
"Yeah," said Pacquiao. "And it hurts."
Kimmel then had one of his assistants playfully feign the practice by lightly tapping it on Pacquiao's stomach.
"Now, how about you?" Pacquiao asked Kimmel, who allowed the fighter to do the same to him.
Paquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, said the technique has its roots in Thailand, where they "use it to deaden the pain so you can absorb a punch better."
"Manny's not getting whacked with it. It is just a small motion. We use it for sit-ups, but he is not getting whacked," said Roach.
"I don't know if I agree with it 100 percent, but Manny loves it. We've been doing it for five years now and it works for Manny," said Roach. "But if somebody is going to hit me with a stick, they better bring a big one."
Commentary: Go Manny go! Knock out Cotto!
Source: Pacquiao a Knockout on Jimmy Kimmel
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 Sings While Cotto Puts on a Show in L.a
"Firepower" pay-per-view event’s protagonists were in L.A. on Tuesday. While Puerto Rican bomber Miguel Cotto showed tremendous form in a media workout, Filipino spitfire Manny Pacquiao showed his vocal range as he guested in the popular Jimmy Kimmel Live late night talk show.
As a sign of each one’s commercial viability at this juncture of their careers, the protagonists in the ‘Firepower’ pay-per-view event on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas spent their Tuesdays in L.A. doing separate and contrasting activities.
At around noontime, Puerto Rican pride Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) conducted a public workout for the media at the Pound-4-Pound Gym just south of Beverly Hills in L.A. Cotto showed his tremendous form which he achieved after more than ten weeks of training thus far. He also seemed right at home as he shadow boxed, hit the mitts, and talked to comedian Mario Lopez and several reporters on hand, as reported by David Avila of The Sweet Science.
Read more in Boxing
« “hot” Topic Pacquiao-cotto: 60% of Boxing Personalities Favor PacmanAfter the media workout the WBO Welterweight champion is expected to immediately head back to Las Vegas where he is now based after wrapping up his training camp in Tampa, Florida over the weekend. Pacquiao’s media workout is scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) who is also in L.A. for the penultimate stage of his training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club of coach Freddie Roach engaged in eight rounds of sparring with sparmates Urbano Antillon and Shawn Porter, as reported by Michael Marley of Examiner.com.
The Pacman also spent time watching the progress of his friend and former sparmate as well, WBA Light Welterweight champion Amir Khan who will be making his first title defense against Brooklyn-based Ukrainian Dmitry Salita on December 5 in Newcastle, UK.
Just par for the course for Pacquiao as far as the day’s training goes but what sets this particular day apart from the countless days in the Pacman’s career is that on this night he will be guesting on the raucous late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, a move which could officially place Pacquiao on the verge of popular mainstream consciousness as this is a nationally-syndicated show in the U.S.
Pacquiao was his usual fun-loving and unassuming self during the show where he was even seen punching pumpkins backstage in a mock training set-up and belting out Dan Hill’s ballad ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ during the show’s music segment. The Pacman proved to be too cute for host comedian Jimmy Kimmel that he gave him a hug after the performance. I’m sure a lot of uninitiated viewers were also taken by the Pacman’s charm as well.
Given that it’s another publicity stunt orchestrated by Top Rank but Pacquiao’s sincerity and charm just makes this supposedly routine promotional stop a little more special. More importantly, the show provided a platform for Pacquiao to convert those thousands who are not yet converted out there to hop on to the Pacman bandwagon.
This nifty move is sure to not only add a couple thousand of nice PPV buys on the 14th but also with Pacquiao’s future fights whoever the opponent may be, in a bid to make the Pacman not only Asia’s greatest fighter ever but also its biggest cross-over star if he is not one already.
As for the singing? Well, let’s just say… keep your day job Manny, we’ll love you anyway.
Commentary: What can I say? Manny can sing not is the mold of Gary V or Martin Nivera but he has the confidence and natural stage presence of a season stage performer. Truly this guy is not your ordinary Filipino; he is truly special. He did not hit all the notes but the way he sing is very cool...
Source: Pacquiao Sings While Cotto Puts on a Show in 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.
As a sign of each one’s commercial viability at this juncture of their careers, the protagonists in the ‘Firepower’ pay-per-view event on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas spent their Tuesdays in L.A. doing separate and contrasting activities.
At around noontime, Puerto Rican pride Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) conducted a public workout for the media at the Pound-4-Pound Gym just south of Beverly Hills in L.A. Cotto showed his tremendous form which he achieved after more than ten weeks of training thus far. He also seemed right at home as he shadow boxed, hit the mitts, and talked to comedian Mario Lopez and several reporters on hand, as reported by David Avila of The Sweet Science.
Read more in Boxing
« “hot” Topic Pacquiao-cotto: 60% of Boxing Personalities Favor PacmanAfter the media workout the WBO Welterweight champion is expected to immediately head back to Las Vegas where he is now based after wrapping up his training camp in Tampa, Florida over the weekend. Pacquiao’s media workout is scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) who is also in L.A. for the penultimate stage of his training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club of coach Freddie Roach engaged in eight rounds of sparring with sparmates Urbano Antillon and Shawn Porter, as reported by Michael Marley of Examiner.com.
The Pacman also spent time watching the progress of his friend and former sparmate as well, WBA Light Welterweight champion Amir Khan who will be making his first title defense against Brooklyn-based Ukrainian Dmitry Salita on December 5 in Newcastle, UK.
Just par for the course for Pacquiao as far as the day’s training goes but what sets this particular day apart from the countless days in the Pacman’s career is that on this night he will be guesting on the raucous late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, a move which could officially place Pacquiao on the verge of popular mainstream consciousness as this is a nationally-syndicated show in the U.S.
Pacquiao was his usual fun-loving and unassuming self during the show where he was even seen punching pumpkins backstage in a mock training set-up and belting out Dan Hill’s ballad ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ during the show’s music segment. The Pacman proved to be too cute for host comedian Jimmy Kimmel that he gave him a hug after the performance. I’m sure a lot of uninitiated viewers were also taken by the Pacman’s charm as well.
Given that it’s another publicity stunt orchestrated by Top Rank but Pacquiao’s sincerity and charm just makes this supposedly routine promotional stop a little more special. More importantly, the show provided a platform for Pacquiao to convert those thousands who are not yet converted out there to hop on to the Pacman bandwagon.
This nifty move is sure to not only add a couple thousand of nice PPV buys on the 14th but also with Pacquiao’s future fights whoever the opponent may be, in a bid to make the Pacman not only Asia’s greatest fighter ever but also its biggest cross-over star if he is not one already.
As for the singing? Well, let’s just say… keep your day job Manny, we’ll love you anyway.
Commentary: What can I say? Manny can sing not is the mold of Gary V or Martin Nivera but he has the confidence and natural stage presence of a season stage performer. Truly this guy is not your ordinary Filipino; he is truly special. He did not hit all the notes but the way he sing is very cool...
Source: Pacquiao Sings While Cotto Puts on a Show in 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.
Pacquiao scores a knockout at Jimmy Kimmel Live
Philippines, give it up for your boy Manny Pacquiao because I'll be damned he just officially conquered Hollywood.
By golly he just turned The Jimmy Kimmel Show into a Filipino Karaoke Extravaganza, and if you ask me, he sure hit that ball out of the ballpark. Pacquiao is definitely a once in a lifetime athlete and personality in the mold of Muhammad Ali. It's amazing how he owned the stage as if he was simply working the boxing ring. To put it succinctly, like Kanye West, got me singing, "it's amazing!"
As if the hoards of Hollywood's biggest celebrities lining up to get their glimpse of the Filipino icon isn't proof enough of his status as the sport's most revered fighter, Pacquiao mesmerized his fans once again this time on network television as he flashed his pearly whites, joked with Kimmel and did his rendition of Dan Hill's classic love song "Sometimes When We Touch".
Pacquiao displayed all the characteristics that has endeared him to his fans all over the world. He was charming, witty, funny and always accommodating as he obliged the show with a song. Most of all, Pacquiao displayed his natural humility. When asked by Kimmel whether he was the most popular person from the Philippines, Pacquiao simply smiled and wouldn't even answer. Just for the record, I couldn't care any less about love songs but somehow Pacquiao singing it makes it look cool- and that is what Pacquiao truly did since he stepped into mainstream boxing and captured the world's imagination. Pacquiao made being Filipino "cool". And it is.
Pacquiao perfectly captures and represent the Filipino culture through his genuine smile, kind-hearted nature, hospitable attitude, generous ways and most of all his courage and strength to put his nation, his fans and his family first and do whatever it takes to make them proud.
Hats off to you Manny! As a Filipino living here in the US, you definitely made each and every Filipino believe that despite all the hardships we go through and through the lows you came from and how high the unimaginable lengths you have already achieved, that anything is definitely possible. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao!
Writer's Note: I was a bit shocked when I received a letter from Magnamedia today regarding my credentials request being turned down. I have never been turned down on credentials, only on Pacquiao fights. I know the magnitude of this fight and understand there's a lot of interest from media all around the world to cover the Pacquiao-Cotto spectacle. I can't hide my dismay however knowing how much I've followed Pacquiao-Cotto on a daily basis, especially when some writer over Yahoo.com or some some newspaper that hardly wrote anything about Pacquiao or Cotto these past months will get a spot. It's really disheartening, but politics is politics and I am a small fish compared to these ESPN and Sports Illustrated writers but the hits don't lie. You'd like to think they'd give more significance to internet writers who truly grind 24/7 to keep fights significant. I am in the process of appealing the request as it will definitely enhance the book I am currently finishing about Manny's career. If I don't get the credentials reconsidered however, I still hope to see you at the fights on the 13th featuring Mark Melligen and Z Gorres, UFC 106 and WEC Brown vs. Aldo in Vegas and thanks for allowing this disheartened writer and fan vent for a second.
Commentary: Manny truly is an amazing person! He is not your normal and ordinary Filipino.
Source: Pacquiao scores a knockout at Jimmy Kimmel Live
By golly he just turned The Jimmy Kimmel Show into a Filipino Karaoke Extravaganza, and if you ask me, he sure hit that ball out of the ballpark. Pacquiao is definitely a once in a lifetime athlete and personality in the mold of Muhammad Ali. It's amazing how he owned the stage as if he was simply working the boxing ring. To put it succinctly, like Kanye West, got me singing, "it's amazing!"
As if the hoards of Hollywood's biggest celebrities lining up to get their glimpse of the Filipino icon isn't proof enough of his status as the sport's most revered fighter, Pacquiao mesmerized his fans once again this time on network television as he flashed his pearly whites, joked with Kimmel and did his rendition of Dan Hill's classic love song "Sometimes When We Touch".
Pacquiao displayed all the characteristics that has endeared him to his fans all over the world. He was charming, witty, funny and always accommodating as he obliged the show with a song. Most of all, Pacquiao displayed his natural humility. When asked by Kimmel whether he was the most popular person from the Philippines, Pacquiao simply smiled and wouldn't even answer. Just for the record, I couldn't care any less about love songs but somehow Pacquiao singing it makes it look cool- and that is what Pacquiao truly did since he stepped into mainstream boxing and captured the world's imagination. Pacquiao made being Filipino "cool". And it is.
Pacquiao perfectly captures and represent the Filipino culture through his genuine smile, kind-hearted nature, hospitable attitude, generous ways and most of all his courage and strength to put his nation, his fans and his family first and do whatever it takes to make them proud.
Hats off to you Manny! As a Filipino living here in the US, you definitely made each and every Filipino believe that despite all the hardships we go through and through the lows you came from and how high the unimaginable lengths you have already achieved, that anything is definitely possible. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao!
Writer's Note: I was a bit shocked when I received a letter from Magnamedia today regarding my credentials request being turned down. I have never been turned down on credentials, only on Pacquiao fights. I know the magnitude of this fight and understand there's a lot of interest from media all around the world to cover the Pacquiao-Cotto spectacle. I can't hide my dismay however knowing how much I've followed Pacquiao-Cotto on a daily basis, especially when some writer over Yahoo.com or some some newspaper that hardly wrote anything about Pacquiao or Cotto these past months will get a spot. It's really disheartening, but politics is politics and I am a small fish compared to these ESPN and Sports Illustrated writers but the hits don't lie. You'd like to think they'd give more significance to internet writers who truly grind 24/7 to keep fights significant. I am in the process of appealing the request as it will definitely enhance the book I am currently finishing about Manny's career. If I don't get the credentials reconsidered however, I still hope to see you at the fights on the 13th featuring Mark Melligen and Z Gorres, UFC 106 and WEC Brown vs. Aldo in Vegas and thanks for allowing this disheartened writer and fan vent for a second.
Commentary: Manny truly is an amazing person! He is not your normal and ordinary Filipino.
Source: Pacquiao scores a knockout at Jimmy Kimmel Live
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 'won't leave anything to chance' against Pacquiao
Cotto 'won't leave anything to chance' against Pacquiao
By Greg Heakes (AFP) – 1 day ago
LOS ANGELES — Miguel Cotto's handlers say they will carefully scrutinize the gloves and hand wraps of Manny Pacquiao before their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
Miguel Cotto Sr said Tuesday they blundered by not inspecting Antonio Margarito's gloves prior to Cotto's lone career loss in July of last year and vow never to let it happen again.
"We only commit the same error once," said Cotto Sr. "We will never make that mistake again."
The increased vigilance comes after Margarito was caught using "loaded wraps" in his following fight against Shane Mosley in January.
Unlike Cotto, Mosley's trainers entered Margarito's dressing room prior to the fight. There they noticed that a damp hard white powder had been placed in between the rows of wrapping and tape before Margarito put his gloves on for the fight.
It has never been proven that Margarito cheated by using a plaster of Paris type substance for the Cotto fight but suspicions are strong, especially in Cotto's camp and that's the reason for the stepped up inspections of opponents' gloves and wraps.
Cotto, of Puerto Rico, senses he has the public support on this one.
"A loss is a loss. Nobody knows for sure if he uses it with me, or not, just Margarito and his team," said Cotto, after a 90 minute workout at the Pound4Pound Gym in Beverly Hills Tuesday. "But it makes me feel better (about the loss). Boxing fans are knowledgeable. They are the judges."
A classic boxer in the true sense of the word, Cotto is 34-1 with 27 knockouts.
Cotto bristled Tuesday at suggestions by Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach that the first loss is one of the toughest for a previously unbeaten fighter to recover from.
Cotto denied that the loss to Margarito had any negative effect on his confidence in the ring.
"Why don't you ask Manny that question because he has had three losses I have just one," Cotto said.
"My commitment is with myself. In my last fight (Joshua Clottey) I could have stopped the fight (cuts) but I decided to stay in the ring because of my commitment to myself and my family."
"Sometimes when you lose you win. Since Margarito great things have come to my career.
"Where is Margarito right now and where is Miguel Cotto?"
Said Cotto Sr, "We have worked a lot with his mind and staying focused. Mentally he is a strong guy."
Roach is predicting that the November 14 fight at the MGM hotel and casino won't go the distance and that the favoured Pacquiao will knock Cotto out capture his seventh title in seven different weight classes.
"This is the problem," Cotto said. "Freddie Roach is not the guy who is going to climb into the ring. If he prepares Manny for just nine rounds then he has three more rounds.
"He (Roach) can say whatever he wants. One day he says the first round and the next day he says round seven. I'm preparing for 12 rounds and nobody is going to know what will happen until the night of the 14th."
Cotto said he is focusing on this 145-pound bout and doesn't listen to talk about Pacquiao (49-3-2, 27 KOs) possibly fighting Floyd Mayweather in a mega title fight if he beats Cotto.
"He can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him," Cotto said.
Cotto respects Pacquiao for the way he has come from modest roots in the Philippines to become a world class boxer who is revered by Filipinos at home and abroad.
"He has earned everything he has," Cotto said. "Manny looked good against Oscar De La Hoya and (Ricky) Hatton. But I'm not Oscar or Hatton. Manny chose the right time to fight Oscar."
Cotto is looking forward to wrapping up training camp, heading to Las Vegas next week and says this is the biggest fight of his life.
"It is the most important fight of my career, but we'll have to see on the 14th if he is the toughest guy I have fought in my career," Cotto said.
Commentary: I like Cotto for being a real man, no excuses, just plain straight talk. Too bad he is not Filipino...he could have enjoyed the same support that Manny is now enjoying.
Source: Cotto 'won't leave anything to chance' against 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.
By Greg Heakes (AFP) – 1 day ago
LOS ANGELES — Miguel Cotto's handlers say they will carefully scrutinize the gloves and hand wraps of Manny Pacquiao before their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
Miguel Cotto Sr said Tuesday they blundered by not inspecting Antonio Margarito's gloves prior to Cotto's lone career loss in July of last year and vow never to let it happen again.
"We only commit the same error once," said Cotto Sr. "We will never make that mistake again."
The increased vigilance comes after Margarito was caught using "loaded wraps" in his following fight against Shane Mosley in January.
Unlike Cotto, Mosley's trainers entered Margarito's dressing room prior to the fight. There they noticed that a damp hard white powder had been placed in between the rows of wrapping and tape before Margarito put his gloves on for the fight.
It has never been proven that Margarito cheated by using a plaster of Paris type substance for the Cotto fight but suspicions are strong, especially in Cotto's camp and that's the reason for the stepped up inspections of opponents' gloves and wraps.
Cotto, of Puerto Rico, senses he has the public support on this one.
"A loss is a loss. Nobody knows for sure if he uses it with me, or not, just Margarito and his team," said Cotto, after a 90 minute workout at the Pound4Pound Gym in Beverly Hills Tuesday. "But it makes me feel better (about the loss). Boxing fans are knowledgeable. They are the judges."
A classic boxer in the true sense of the word, Cotto is 34-1 with 27 knockouts.
Cotto bristled Tuesday at suggestions by Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach that the first loss is one of the toughest for a previously unbeaten fighter to recover from.
Cotto denied that the loss to Margarito had any negative effect on his confidence in the ring.
"Why don't you ask Manny that question because he has had three losses I have just one," Cotto said.
"My commitment is with myself. In my last fight (Joshua Clottey) I could have stopped the fight (cuts) but I decided to stay in the ring because of my commitment to myself and my family."
"Sometimes when you lose you win. Since Margarito great things have come to my career.
"Where is Margarito right now and where is Miguel Cotto?"
Said Cotto Sr, "We have worked a lot with his mind and staying focused. Mentally he is a strong guy."
Roach is predicting that the November 14 fight at the MGM hotel and casino won't go the distance and that the favoured Pacquiao will knock Cotto out capture his seventh title in seven different weight classes.
"This is the problem," Cotto said. "Freddie Roach is not the guy who is going to climb into the ring. If he prepares Manny for just nine rounds then he has three more rounds.
"He (Roach) can say whatever he wants. One day he says the first round and the next day he says round seven. I'm preparing for 12 rounds and nobody is going to know what will happen until the night of the 14th."
Cotto said he is focusing on this 145-pound bout and doesn't listen to talk about Pacquiao (49-3-2, 27 KOs) possibly fighting Floyd Mayweather in a mega title fight if he beats Cotto.
"He can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him," Cotto said.
Cotto respects Pacquiao for the way he has come from modest roots in the Philippines to become a world class boxer who is revered by Filipinos at home and abroad.
"He has earned everything he has," Cotto said. "Manny looked good against Oscar De La Hoya and (Ricky) Hatton. But I'm not Oscar or Hatton. Manny chose the right time to fight Oscar."
Cotto is looking forward to wrapping up training camp, heading to Las Vegas next week and says this is the biggest fight of his life.
"It is the most important fight of my career, but we'll have to see on the 14th if he is the toughest guy I have fought in my career," Cotto said.
Commentary: I like Cotto for being a real man, no excuses, just plain straight talk. Too bad he is not Filipino...he could have enjoyed the same support that Manny is now enjoying.
Source: Cotto 'won't leave anything to chance' against 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.
Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto Hits A Hot L.A
WEST L.A.-Reeking of sweat, heat and the scent of more than 100 body odors in the small West L.A. boxing gym, Miguel Cotto seemed right at home as he used the ropes, shadow boxed, hit the mitts and chit chatted with a few celebrities on Tuesday.
Cotto’s rare L.A. media workout brought out the journalists eager to capture the Puerto Rican bomber who defends his WBO welterweight world title against Pound for Pound champion Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) on Saturday Nov. 14.
The clash takes place in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.
Cotto spoke with television star Mario Lopez and posed with the Tecate girls before sitting down to speak with the several dozen fight reporters. On Wednesday it’s Pacquiao’s turn.
“I wouldn’t be here unless I thought I could beat him,” said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who is soft-spoken as usual.
Standing in the corner away from the press was cut man Joe Chavez, a long-time trainer in the gyms of East L.A. and perhaps the best hand wrapper and caretaker for boxers suffering gashes during a fight. Many attribute Cotto’s win over Joshua Clottey to Chavez’s ability to shut down the blood streaming down the Puerto Rican’s face.
One thing most people overlook is Chavez previously worked with Pacquiao too. Aside from hand wraps and cuts, the man also knows boxing. But don’t ask him who is going to win.
“I stay out of that,” said Chavez, who may work with Pacquiao in the future. “I just deal with the day to day stuff.”
But ask Chavez what Cotto does well?
“He’s a very strong puncher,” said Chavez. “And he’s a very good counter-puncher.
That’s what he does very well.”
When Cotto and Pacquiao meet next week it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Puerto Rican boxer force the Filipino superstar to attack. He’s probably seen dozens of tapes and evaluated what opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales were able to do successfully and throw out the strategies that didn’t work.
Told that Pacquiao has been talking about Mayweather, Cotto was succinct with his response.
“After I beat him then he can fight Floyd Mayweather all he wants,” Cotto said matter-of-factly of Pacquiao.
Most people forget that Cotto has only one loss. That came a year ago to Mexico’s Antonio Margarito. The issue of hand wraps though often given to Cotto as a scapegoat was not grasped.
“Nobody knows if his hand wraps were illegal or not,” said Cotto of Margarito.
Cotto is a man’s man. He would rather beat Margarito in the ring then have some commission reverse the loss of July 2008. He knows a win over Pacquiao would vault him to the top of the Pound for Pound standings too.
“I don’t know how fast Manny Pacquiao is but we’re going to find out,” said Cotto.
Commentary: Indeed Cotto...indeed. I just hope that you are prepared for Manny blinding punches...
Source: Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto Hits A Hot 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.
Cotto’s rare L.A. media workout brought out the journalists eager to capture the Puerto Rican bomber who defends his WBO welterweight world title against Pound for Pound champion Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) on Saturday Nov. 14.
The clash takes place in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.
Cotto spoke with television star Mario Lopez and posed with the Tecate girls before sitting down to speak with the several dozen fight reporters. On Wednesday it’s Pacquiao’s turn.
“I wouldn’t be here unless I thought I could beat him,” said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who is soft-spoken as usual.
Standing in the corner away from the press was cut man Joe Chavez, a long-time trainer in the gyms of East L.A. and perhaps the best hand wrapper and caretaker for boxers suffering gashes during a fight. Many attribute Cotto’s win over Joshua Clottey to Chavez’s ability to shut down the blood streaming down the Puerto Rican’s face.
One thing most people overlook is Chavez previously worked with Pacquiao too. Aside from hand wraps and cuts, the man also knows boxing. But don’t ask him who is going to win.
“I stay out of that,” said Chavez, who may work with Pacquiao in the future. “I just deal with the day to day stuff.”
But ask Chavez what Cotto does well?
“He’s a very strong puncher,” said Chavez. “And he’s a very good counter-puncher.
That’s what he does very well.”
When Cotto and Pacquiao meet next week it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Puerto Rican boxer force the Filipino superstar to attack. He’s probably seen dozens of tapes and evaluated what opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales were able to do successfully and throw out the strategies that didn’t work.
Told that Pacquiao has been talking about Mayweather, Cotto was succinct with his response.
“After I beat him then he can fight Floyd Mayweather all he wants,” Cotto said matter-of-factly of Pacquiao.
Most people forget that Cotto has only one loss. That came a year ago to Mexico’s Antonio Margarito. The issue of hand wraps though often given to Cotto as a scapegoat was not grasped.
“Nobody knows if his hand wraps were illegal or not,” said Cotto of Margarito.
Cotto is a man’s man. He would rather beat Margarito in the ring then have some commission reverse the loss of July 2008. He knows a win over Pacquiao would vault him to the top of the Pound for Pound standings too.
“I don’t know how fast Manny Pacquiao is but we’re going to find out,” said Cotto.
Commentary: Indeed Cotto...indeed. I just hope that you are prepared for Manny blinding punches...
Source: Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto Hits A Hot 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.
Monday, November 2, 2009
MIGUEL ANGEL COTTO WILL DESTROY THE FILIPINO’S DREAMS
During the last few months I have read a great number of notes and articles on different news media outlets about this fight and in almost all of them there is one constant, the prevalent opinion that Cotto does not have an opportunity to conquer the tagalo Manny Pacquiao. This is something that has caught my attention, but as if that wasn’t enough was has interested me more is the fact that they already seem to be preparing his next bout as if he had already beaten Cotto. It is a fact that money rules boxing, specially mega fights, but we cannot overlook the qualities of a boxer like Miguel Ángel Cotto who has faced other elite boxers in their peak and has beaten and lost to fighter such as Sugar Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey
Those that use Pacquaio’s previous victories over Oscar and Hatton as their barometer for basing their opinion of Pacquaio destruction over Cotto are not been objective and are instead being lead by what the TV cameras would have them see. This believe that Pacquaio is some sort of demonic creature of destruction based on his knock out of Hatton is far from the reality. Oscar and Hatton were both exposed by the very questionable practices of Roach and Pac in imposing questionable catchweights, forcing a fighter to go down to a weight in which their physical strengths are far from being at their ideal condition. Anyboddy who cannot see this must be obsessed with the “Boom” of Pacquaio and his promoter Bob Arum.
In stating this, I don’t wish to diminish what Pac has accomplished, but I’m also not blind and don’t see what chance he has against a fighter like Cotto who in my opinion is much superior to Pacquaio in everything; he is superior in technique, might be as quick in the beginning of fights, who has received shots by bigger stronger fighters such as Clottey, and Mosley and who is technically more skilled then the Filipino. From this it is easy to infer that Cotto, who has beaten the aforementioned fighters, should have no problems with a fighter who is coming up in weight and those not hold one advantage. For this reason I am sometimes amused about what I read about this fight. To the degree that some favor Pacquaio they have gone as far as discussing his next fight, to bring links about these comments I believe are unnecessary.
I believe the fans who give Cotto no chance of winning will be in for a big surprise come November 14. Cotto is preparing for this fight like has never before and that will show come fight night. I also believed they choose the wrong opponent to play their famous “catchweight” game. That’s where fighters like Hatton, who is known to indulge too much, and Oscar, who hadn’t fought as welter, strategically lost the fight. As a result of this weight game come fight night Pacquaio was faster and stronger then both of his opponents.
I expect that Arum is starting to have the same doubts as evidenced by his remarks in which he stated, “It wouldn’t be a disaster if Pacquaio lost to Cotto.” With those simple words Arum is starting the spin machine preparing the boxing world for Pacquaio’s defeat.
As the fight gets closer I observe as team Pacquaio and his fans see the outcome of this fight as a foregone conclusión. Talking about future opponents, mega fights, all of this tells me that their still in their dream. However, sometimes it is not good to dream too much. It’s only been days since a young fighter named Juanma Lopez was being billed as the next great fighter and he was exposed by a third level tier fighter. With that the dreams of many fans were broken and they were forced to come back to reality. The same I believe will occur with the Filipino fans, as the fighter from Caguas will burst them out of their dream and back into reality.
In countless occasions Pacquaio has shown us that he is good fighter, of that there is no doubts. However to see him as unbeatable or to proclaim that he posses quality of a great technician or other virtues that he lacks is far from logical in my opinion. However, this adventure in these weight categories has come to end, November 14th he will fight a fighter in his peak superior in all attributes and it will cost him greatly for him to have thought he could win.
When Cotto make his power felt on the fighter in front of him, the Filipino will realize that he should have never taken this fight. That night he will realize the advantages with the catchweights that his trainer tried to impose will not be enough. In that moment we will see Cotto for what he really is, a quality champion in his natural weight and he will do what a champion should do when he’s prepared and focused for a fight. The young prospect Antonio DeMarco repeated to us that old boxing adage “Fights are won and lost in the GYM.” Cotto is busy doing what he needs to do and has left the rest to his team.
My chips are all in, this time the Boricua will give his best performance and I am sure that Cotto will end with the Filipino’s dreams and bring him back to reality.
Those that use Pacquaio’s previous victories over Oscar and Hatton as their barometer for basing their opinion of Pacquaio destruction over Cotto are not been objective and are instead being lead by what the TV cameras would have them see. This believe that Pacquaio is some sort of demonic creature of destruction based on his knock out of Hatton is far from the reality. Oscar and Hatton were both exposed by the very questionable practices of Roach and Pac in imposing questionable catchweights, forcing a fighter to go down to a weight in which their physical strengths are far from being at their ideal condition. Anyboddy who cannot see this must be obsessed with the “Boom” of Pacquaio and his promoter Bob Arum.
In stating this, I don’t wish to diminish what Pac has accomplished, but I’m also not blind and don’t see what chance he has against a fighter like Cotto who in my opinion is much superior to Pacquaio in everything; he is superior in technique, might be as quick in the beginning of fights, who has received shots by bigger stronger fighters such as Clottey, and Mosley and who is technically more skilled then the Filipino. From this it is easy to infer that Cotto, who has beaten the aforementioned fighters, should have no problems with a fighter who is coming up in weight and those not hold one advantage. For this reason I am sometimes amused about what I read about this fight. To the degree that some favor Pacquaio they have gone as far as discussing his next fight, to bring links about these comments I believe are unnecessary.
I believe the fans who give Cotto no chance of winning will be in for a big surprise come November 14. Cotto is preparing for this fight like has never before and that will show come fight night. I also believed they choose the wrong opponent to play their famous “catchweight” game. That’s where fighters like Hatton, who is known to indulge too much, and Oscar, who hadn’t fought as welter, strategically lost the fight. As a result of this weight game come fight night Pacquaio was faster and stronger then both of his opponents.
I expect that Arum is starting to have the same doubts as evidenced by his remarks in which he stated, “It wouldn’t be a disaster if Pacquaio lost to Cotto.” With those simple words Arum is starting the spin machine preparing the boxing world for Pacquaio’s defeat.
As the fight gets closer I observe as team Pacquaio and his fans see the outcome of this fight as a foregone conclusión. Talking about future opponents, mega fights, all of this tells me that their still in their dream. However, sometimes it is not good to dream too much. It’s only been days since a young fighter named Juanma Lopez was being billed as the next great fighter and he was exposed by a third level tier fighter. With that the dreams of many fans were broken and they were forced to come back to reality. The same I believe will occur with the Filipino fans, as the fighter from Caguas will burst them out of their dream and back into reality.
In countless occasions Pacquaio has shown us that he is good fighter, of that there is no doubts. However to see him as unbeatable or to proclaim that he posses quality of a great technician or other virtues that he lacks is far from logical in my opinion. However, this adventure in these weight categories has come to end, November 14th he will fight a fighter in his peak superior in all attributes and it will cost him greatly for him to have thought he could win.
When Cotto make his power felt on the fighter in front of him, the Filipino will realize that he should have never taken this fight. That night he will realize the advantages with the catchweights that his trainer tried to impose will not be enough. In that moment we will see Cotto for what he really is, a quality champion in his natural weight and he will do what a champion should do when he’s prepared and focused for a fight. The young prospect Antonio DeMarco repeated to us that old boxing adage “Fights are won and lost in the GYM.” Cotto is busy doing what he needs to do and has left the rest to his team.
My chips are all in, this time the Boricua will give his best performance and I am sure that Cotto will end with the Filipino’s dreams and bring him back to reality.
Commentary: Another writer, together with Tony Montgomery, to remember. Let me point out some of the errors in this article.(1) Hatton was not fighting Pacquiao on a catchweight, they were fighting on Hatton's natural weight.(2) Simply because Pacquaio hadn't fought Mosely, at least not yet, and Joshua Clottey doesn't mean that Pacquiao will surely be beaten by Cotto simply because he has beaten guys. This is not logical.
I think the most logical conclusion is that, this can be anybody's fight. Cotto has an advantage in terms of experience in fighting the welterweights, and Pacquiao has the advantage in hand and foot speed. In terms of power, Pacman may not be that far behind to Cotto considering that he was able to floor Shawn Porter, a middleweight fighter. so this is basically, experience vs. speed.
I think the most logical conclusion is that, this can be anybody's fight. Cotto has an advantage in terms of experience in fighting the welterweights, and Pacquiao has the advantage in hand and foot speed. In terms of power, Pacman may not be that far behind to Cotto considering that he was able to floor Shawn Porter, a middleweight fighter. so this is basically, experience vs. speed.
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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