Watch Pacquiao vs. Cotto - Fight Preview (HBO)

Watch Pacquiao vs. Cotto - Fight Preview

Miguel Cotto: Manny Pacquiao 'is just another boxer'

Miguel Cotto is confident. Indeed, supremely confident of shocking Manny Pacquaio, who many consider to be the pound for pound No 1, when they meet in Las Vegas in 16 days’ time.

With the bookies, Cotto starts as the underdog, defending the WBO welterweight crown – albeit at 145lbs – against the Filipino fighting idol at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
But does Cotto think he simply has too much firepower for Pacquiao ? The Puerto Rican has been very coy about his game plan, and like others before him, is looking to blow Pacquiao away. Several opponents have underestimated Pacquiao’s power at their peril.
Psychologically, because he has come up so many weight divisions, is it difficult for them to remove thoughts that they are fighting a smaller man. Yet, in reality, Pacquiao does not look that much smaller than Cotto.

It is worth recalling that when Pacquiao turned professional as a teenage boy in 1995, fighting for a dollar a fight, Pacquiao weighed seven stone 8lbs. On November 14, he fights Cotto for the WBO welterweight title, with the Puerto Rican champion most likely to be around 160lbs.

Cotto says: “He’s just another boxer who comes to my division and challenge me for my title. The night of November 14 I’m going to be prepared for him, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to beat Manny Pacquiao.”

“I know at the moment I have another opportunity to prove myself. I’m going to be the winner.”

Pacquiao insists that Cotto is the “hardest test” of his career, but Pacquiao’s speed, if he is on his game, could overwhelm Cotto. Not in the manner that Ricky Hatton was made to look a statue in their May contest.

“This is the toughest fight of my career and I won’t waste the opportunity,” said Pacquiao “I’m treating this fight with the seriousness it deserves. I won’t let myself get carried away with other people’s comments. Many are saying the punishment from Margarito and Clottey has affected him, but I won’t depend on that. Cotto is still a very strong fighter and bigger than me. I have to fight smartly and not underestimate him.”

“The intensity remains the same but maybe what has changed somewhat is the type of training, because we have to adjust to a particular style to fight Cotto,” said the 30-year-old. We need to apply certain techniques. I have spent many hours on studying with Freddie to identify Cotto’s weaknesses and strengths, to find his key points.”
“We are ready for what they bring. We have studied him very well. What I do is stand in the ring, box and put on the best fight possible. I’m not looking for a knockout but I’ll welcome it if it comes.” Wise words from the man of the Philippines.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Watch out for Cotto’s power

The fight between Miguel Angel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas highlights two traits needed by world-class boxers—power and speed.

Cotto is regarded as a power puncher while Pacquiao, although he packs power in his mitts, is better known for his speed. These two qualities would play a huge role come fight night.

Power

THE power of a punch in general is defined by two things: by the weight thrown behind the punch and by the speed by which the punch is thrown.

The reason Cotto is an interesting fighter to watch is because he throws all his punches with a lot of power. He puts his body behind every punch. His conditioning level is so high he can sustain this work rate all throughout a fight.

This same power was evident in his fights against quick fighters—Shane Mosley and Zab Judah, two (stylist) boxers who rely on speed for their victories but have been beaten by Cotto.

Cotto is a natural welterweight. He should have a heavier punch that, if it cleanly connects, may hurt Pacquiao. The Filipino, although expected to be in tip-top shape, could still get hurt.

On the other hand, Pacquiao brings in something alien to Cotto. Pacquiao’s power is generated not only by his weight but also by his speed. A lot of his sparring partners swear he has the power of a middleweight (160 lb) and, if both fighters weigh the same on fight day, Pacquiao will readily multiply his power through the speed he inherently possesses.

There is no doubt about the Filipino’s power in the 140-lb category. He demonstrated he can drop “naturally bigger men” against Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton—the latter with a very quick win.

Speed

Cotto may be fast versus other welterweights, but Pacquiao is clearly faster.

Cotto looked perplexed in his last fight against Joshua Clottey (although it can be argued that a cut above the eye that caused blood to cover his eye may have slowed him down). Clottey, evidently more agile, was picking his punches; connecting when he wanted with jabs and straights and left Cotto flat-footed at times, revealing a weakness in the latter’s defense.

Cotto needs speed to get away and react to Pacquiao’s punches and to be able to tag “The Pacman” with his left hooks.

Ability to position for the punch (agility and leg power)

Over the last couple of fights, Pacquiao has proven to have honed the ability to move well and find the openings to throw from various angles. Leg movement and positioning honed by rigorous drills at the gym molded Pacquiao into a well-oiled machine.

Cotto lately has been a stand-up fighter relying on torso movement rather than leg movement to find openings. He relies heavily on his power punches to the body that he does not seem to give emphasis on moving away from his opponent.

If Cotto can find a way to cut the ring and box-in Pacquiao, then throw well-timed body shots, he may be able to slow down the Filipino.

With calculated movements Cotto can conserve enough energy for the long haul and steal the win in the later rounds.

Although the speed factor gives Pacquiao a huge edge, as they say, a power puncher will always have an advantage. A power puncher will always have chance to win a fight even if he is way down on points. Cotto’s power will be something to watch out for.

Source: businessmirror.com.ph

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Breakdown and Prediction

By Ted Sares - I think it was a very smart move by Miguel to move the whole team to Tampa for this fight and for the last fight --Joe Santiago

He is right where I want him to be, perfect --Freddie Roach

These two will fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14 in what promises to be another great war between two superstars—this one at a catch weight of 145 pounds. Cotto is 34-1 with a lofty KO percentage of 77.14 while Pacquiao is 49-3-2 with an impressive KO percentage of 68.52.

The Breakdown: In many ways, these two are more alike than not. They are skilled, have great heart, are great sportsmen, and represent their respective homelands with dignity and class, but enough of the niceties, let’s cut to the chase..

Level of Opposition:

Manny has fought 9 fights against 5 guys who arguably have a great shot at being inducted into the Hall of Fame. But he also fought and beat fine Thai and Filipino fighters with great records coming in. If you throw a dart at his list of opponents, you might, for example, hit South Korean Seung-Kon Chae (23-0), Mexican Oscar Larios (56-4-1), Thai Wethya Sakmuangklang (41-3), or Colombian Jorge Eliecer Julio (44-3).

Cotto’s list of opponents is also impressive. It includes name like Zab Zudah, Sugar Shane Mosley, and Antonio Margarito. He is now coming off a split decision win over the tough Joshua Clottey, a fight in which he showed that he can still fight through adversity.

Style

Cotto is a boxer/puncher but most often, he is a stalking and menacing presence that carefully breaks down his opponents with heavy and punishing body attacks. In his fight with Mosley, he showed he is far more than a banger; in fact, he seems to add to his technical skills each time he fights.

But speaking of skills, Pacquiao now seems to possess an arsenal the qualitative content and completeness of which only Floyd Mayweather Junior can stake claim to. With his in-and-out whirlwind movement, effective jabs, fight-ending hooks from both hands, solid stamina, and a sound defense, there is little to criticize. As for speed, Pacquiao is flat out faster than Cotto in every way, particularly with his foot movement.

Both have one punch Knock Out power, though in my opinion, Cotto is stronger than Pac Man at this weight and if he connects flush, he could send Pac Man back to General Santos City faster than you can say “Boricua.” But Pacquio’s ability to send Cotto to Caguas dreamland should not be underestimated. It will be interesting to see what happens when Miguel tests Manny with his first rattling body shot.

Chin

Cotto has been hurt on a number of occasions and I see his chin as being relatively weaker than that of Manny’s, but his recuperative power and strength advantage make this a wash. Manny has been hurt badly as well, but it occurred too far back to be meaningful in my view.

Ring IQ

Both are savvy and experienced fighters, but I believe Pacquiao has the edge as he can adapt to different situations faster. However, Cotto showed he can adjust as well in the Mosley fight and then later against Clottey when he fought from the outside during the last rounds. Yet, was this from being overly cautious perhaps as a result of the so-called “Ghost of Margarito,” or was it because Clottey held back for some inexplicable reason and did not press the action? If a similar situation develops in this fight, Pacquiao will not be reticent and will jump on Cotto faster than you can say “Pinoy.”

Intangibles

These are particularly important. Let’s start with …

1) Momentum: Pac Man gets the clear nod. He is on a great streak of big wins (Hatton, De La Hoya, Diaz, Marquez, Barrera, Solis, Morales, and Larios). Cotto, however, is coming off a close SD win, a walk-over win with Michael Jennings, and a devastating TKO loss to Margarito. More importantly, the loss to Margarito raises questions as to whether he is as good as he once was.

2) Cuts: Both fighters are prone to cuts, so the effectiveness of their respective cut men could play a key role here. It certainly did in Cotto’s last outing. Moreover, Manny’s body is more rested than Cotto’s.

3) Trainers and Camp: Freddie Roach vs. Junito’s relatively new corner. On April 8, 2009, Cotto fired his uncle, Evangelista Cotto, from the team's staff, following a reportedly violent discussion. He then appointed Joe Santiago, who had been his nutritionist, as his new trainer. Though he guided Miguel to victory in the Clottey fight, the clear nod goes to Roach. Look, you don’t argue with his kind of success.

However, there have been rumors (which I don’t necessarily buy) that the strong chemistry between Freddie and Manny has been straining some. If true, this evens out what could be an obvious advantage for Pacquiao. The typhoons have devastated the Philippines while Manny was training there. How this might impact him is conjectural, but it did, in fact, force Roach to break camp early against Manny’s objections. Still, it could provide an incentive for Manny in the fight. This is a classic intangible factor. On balance, it does appear Cotto is having a more serene camp than Pac Man.

4) Cotto's loss to Margarito: Some say it was suspicious and therefore the severity of it should be discounted. But even assuming that to be so, the beating took place so suspicious or not, the damage was done.

5) Catch Weight: Cotto coming down; Pacquiao coming up favors Cotto, though Pacquiao seems to take his strength with him as he moves up in weight.

6) Dimensions: They are both about the same size, but Cotto has a naturally bigger frame.

Outcome

I see Pac Man beating Miguel Cotto in a fast paced action fight in which Manny will exploit Cotto’s weakness beginning in the mid rounds (but I don’t see it happening the other way around). This exploitation will be enhanced by Pacquio’s incredibly fast in-and-out movement accompanied by just about every punch in the manual-- and each thrown with malice aforethought—as he cuts and befuddles Cotto and starts to slow down his trademark stalk as he lands punches from every direction.

Now then, I clearly remember Cotto backing up in the late rounds against Clottey and I think I even might have seen glimpses of “Margorito” being somewhere in that ring. If Cotto backs up against Pacquiao (and I think he will at some point), the Filipino superman will be on him fast and will not let him off the hook. Of course, if Pac back up against Cotto going into the late rounds, that could spell doom for him, because Cotto is a stalker extraordinaire and who knows how to close off a ring and knows how to close a fight.

In sum, given his superb performance against Ricky Hatton and given Miguel’s not-so-superb performance against Clottey, Manny may well win within the distance, perhaps on cuts. Cotto will not like the overwhelming variety of weapons he faces including stinging jabs, right hooks to the head, left hooks to the jaw, brutal uppercuts (remember Margorito), speed, and in-and-out movement the likes of which he has never before seen. Miguel, on the other hand, will show Manny nothing new except strength and maybe one of the best body attacks in boxing. But speed will be the decisive factor here and speed is what Manny Pacquiao is all about.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Pacquiao works out at Wildcard

Six-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao worked out Monday with chief trainer Freddie Roach at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood during his first day training since arriving in the United States on Saturday. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming “FIREPOWER” welterweight championship fight against three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, and will take place November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will also be available on pay per view.

Source: fightnews.com

Twenty Reasons why Pacquiao v. Cotto is Must See (Pay-per-View) TV

#1. Manny Pacquiao. The pound for pound has been dominating opponents in the ring, including his spectacular one punch knockout of Ricky Hatton earlier in the year.

#2. Miguel Cotto. A consensus top 10 fighter, Cotto is one controversy away from being undefeated and in the prime of his career.

#3. Speed. Both men possess it in abundance. Pacquiao should beat Cotto to the punch but not by much.

#4. Power. Both men possess it though neither will likely end this fight with one punch. Cotto could knock the aggression out of Pacquiao if he catches him square early in the contest.

#5. Defense. When Cotto has been hurt his back has been against the ropes; a mistake he won’t repeat. Much has been made about Pacquiao’s defensive growth under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.

#6. Heart. If either man’s has been questioned it shouldn’t have been. Cotto erased any doubts in his war against Joshua Clottey.

#7. Aggression. When Pacquiao is overly aggressive he leaves himself open to be countered. Cotto is most dangerous when coming forward.

#8. Size. Cotto is a natural welterweight who had to weaken himself to get down to 140 lbs. Pacquiao is a natural lightweight whose self-described best weight is 140 lbs.

#9. Stance. This match has the makings of a righty-lefty classic.

#10. Strategy. Roach proved masterful against De La Hoya (lead left hands) and Hatton. Roach said Hatton would be susceptible to the right hook – and he was.

#11. Strategy 2. Joe Santiago is the lead trainer for just the second time in Cotto’s career. Fighters fight, but the corner can be invaluable both before and during a fight.

#12. Venue. Pacquiao is a Las Vegas regular, having fought 7 of his last 10 bouts in the city that never sleeps. Cotto on the other hand is an East Coast regular and may still have nightmares from his last trip to the MGM Grand.

#13. Philippines. Manny carries the weight of his storm weary countrymen on his shoulders. A loss could be devastating to a nation in need of hope.

#14. Puerto Rico. An island with a long history of boxing greats, Cotto fights for pride and immortality.

#15. Catch weight. Will Cotto pull a Mayweather and disregard the contract he signed? Don’t bet on it. Cotto doesn’t need gimmicks and should make 145 lbs. comfortably.

#16. Training camp. What impact have the typhoons had on Pacquiao, both physically and emotionally?

#17. Distractions. Cotto doesn’t have any with camp in Florida and Uncle Evangelista in Puerto Rico.

#18. Joe Chavez. Cotto bled profusely during the Antonio Margarito fight and was cut early from a head butt with Clottey. Cut man Joe Chavez may be called upon to keep Cotto in the fight.

#19. Fan base . Pacquiao packs Las Vegas with flag waiving, ear busting, proud Filipinos. How well will Cotto’s loyal following travel west?

#20. Bob Arum. Both men are Top Rank superstars but Pacquiao is clearly the company’s gravy train. What will Arum do and say should Cotto derail his money maker?

Source: thesweetscience.com

Pacquiao Cotto 24/7 Video Episode 1

Pacquiao vs Cotto 24/7 Video Episode 1


Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto 24/7 Episode 1 Video HBO - 24/7 RETURNS OCTOBER 24TH WITH PACQUIAO/COTTO. Four-episode series leads up to November 14th PPV Showdown.

Making his third '24/7" appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a familiar contingent of family and friends as he trains with trusted longtime associate Freddy Roach. HBO reality series newcomer Cotto, who never ducks a challenge, is taking on his biggest fight yet with trainer Joe Santiago as they seek to set a strategy to unseat the widely regarded pound-for-pound champ.

Episodes two and three of 24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto debut on subsequent Saturdays - 10/31 (11:00-11:30 PM)and 11/7 (9:00-9:30 PM) - while the finale debuts Friday, 11/13 (9:30-10:00 PM), just one night before the fight. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

Cotto hits back at Roach; Pacquiao flies to LA tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach will do anything for his fighter, and that includes throwing the opponent off.

Miguel Cotto, however, isn’t buying any of his statements.

“I have never seen a fighter win with the talking of his trainer,” Cotto, who’s just 20 days away from a fight with Manny Pacquiao, told Puerto Rican paper El Nuevo Dia yesterday.

“So, I want to tell Freddie Roach, Miguel Cotto and his team do not care. The important thing here is that I’m not going to see Freddie Roach’s face in the ring. I will be there with Manny Pacquiao,” Cotto added.

Roach is playing mind games with Cotto the way he’d played them with Pacquiao’s most recent opponents.


He did it with Juan Manuel Marquez by trading harsh words with his counterpart, Nacho Beristain, with Oscar dela Hoya through his famous “can’t-pull-the-trigger” battlecry, and with Ricky Hatton when he told Pacquiao he’d be “disappointed if the fight lasts more than three rounds.”

“I’d do anything to try and throw them off,” said Roach, who created a stir just days before the Dela Hoya fight when he started questioning the Golden Boy’s hand wraps.

This time, so close to the fight, Roach is saying Pacquiao is capable of “knocking out Cotto in the first round.”

“He can say anything, try anything to draw the attention and try to be the hero of the whole promotion. But on Nov. 14, we will see who talks in the end, the ones who did all the talking or the ones who stayed silent,” said Cotto.

The WBO welterweight champion from Puerto Rico is the silent one.

He opened camp a couple of weeks ahead of Pacquiao, and stayed in there the whole time, eating, breathing and thinking of nothing but Pacquiao. Chances of watching Cotto as he trains in the gym are slim and none.

In contrast, Pacquiao is always there to see, except for sparring days when Roach would rather close the doors. But otherwise, on the road, in the gym and inside his suite, he’s always in the company of friends, of fans.

Roach said Pacquiao is down to 156.5 lb, which is just a little over the catchweight of 150, and is now 90 percent fit and ready to fight.

Pacquiao was to spar 10 rounds yesterday at the Gerry Peñalosa Gym in Mandaluyong City, was scheduled to host dinner with close friends and team members, and at 10 p.m. should board the PAL plane to Los Angeles.

In the long flight to LA, one that may take 12 hours and a little over 7,000 miles, Roach can always think of something new to say.

Because Cotto, still, isn’t buying.

Source: philstar.com

Pacquiao vs Cotto: May the best man win

By Dennis Broadhurst: With a lot of fights coming round the corner, the one most people want to see is Pacquiao-Cotto. It will be a great fight and I am not making any predictions on it because to be honest with you I do not know who will win. I think that they are both two great fighters, Cotto with his power shots and trademark left hook and also his obvious heart and courage shown through his fight against Margarito. Another thing is that Cotto has a much better chin than Pacquiao’s last opponent, Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao has great handspeed, he has good movement around the ring, has a southpaw style which could be used to his advantage and is a very experienced fighter. Either man could win, we have seen the Pacman fall victim to knockouts on body shots twice in the past albeit a long time ago before he was with Roach. We have also seen how Cotto can be damaged when we saw his fight against Margarito but then there was much controversy about that fight as you all will too well know.

I do not think that Cotto is “damaged goods” I think that he will be as good as ever when he comes into the bout with Pacquiao. Cotto will have to use his size and power to his advantage if he is to beat the Pacman. Cotto’s body punching may also be able to slow down the Pacman but to get into Pacquiao’s body Cotto will have to take a good few punches.

Pacquiao may also be able to use his size to his advantage, I know that sounds crazy as he is naturally a smaller fighter but if Pacquiao can use that to get in and out and land his shots before Cotto can get to him then Pacquiao could give his opponent fits. Saying all of this I am not sure what will happen on the night, there could be a shoulder injury, there could be an accidental headbut which causes a cut, either fighter may not show their best. We just never know what will happen but one thing I am quite sure of is that this fights will not go the distance.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Roach has Cotto’s tactics figured out

Freddie Roach has a gut feeling that Miguel Cotto is not going to press the action against Manny Pacquiao but will resort to being a counter-puncher in a bid to mess up the Filipino’s all-out attacking style when they meet on November 14 in Las Vegas.

Roach’s eyes lit up when told about reports about Cotto utilizing a 24x24 ring instead of the standard 18x18 that fighters normally use in preparing for fights.

“Cotto will try to be a counter-puncher and be like (Juan Manuel) Marquez,” said Roach on Wednesday as he was awaiting the arrival of Pacquiao at the Gerry Peñalosa Boxing Gym in Mandaluyong, putting sense into reports that Cotto is indeed using an oversized ring.

A slugger by nature, Cotto is said to be learning counter-punching moves in the hopes of emulating what Marquez did in his two fights with Pacquiao.

While Marquez battled Pacquiao to a draw in the first match and was narrowly beaten in the rematch, the crafty Mexican is the only fighter who has given Pacquiao so much pain and punishment as all the others — like the legendary Oscar De La Hoya and even the rock-hard Ricky Hatton — proved no match to the Filipino’s blinding speed and paralyzing power.

Pacquiao was expected to go between 10 to 15 rounds with the mitts on Wednesday as he enters the final phase of his training in the country.

Pacquiao and the rest of his team leave for the US on Saturday night so they could resume training on Monday under more familiar conditions at the Wild Card in Hollywood.

This afternoon — behind closed doors — Pacquiao will go 10 rounds in sparring with Shawn Porter, Jose Luis Castillo, and Urbano Antillon.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao foe Cotto fired up with underdog tag

He’s the defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion but he’s installed as the underdog against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Believe it or not, Boricuan bomber Miguel Cotto wouldn’t mind. On the contrary, he cherished that underdog tag for it gives him extra motivation and fire to pull the rug from under the favored Pacquiao when they lock mitts on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

According to his chief trainer Joe Santiago, Cotto faced a similar situation back in 2006, against compatriot Carlos "El Indio" Quintana for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown. Result: He shamed oddsmakers by hacking out a fifth round TKO win.

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico Top Rank photo
“Before Miguel fought Carlos Quintana a few years ago many people were picking Quintana to win and that really motivated Miguel. The night of the fight he was so focused to prove people wrong that it really gave him a boost in the fight," Santiago was quoted by FightFan.Com as saying during a conference call Wednesday.

“We’re seeing that again with the way so many people are picking Pacquiao to win on Nov. 14. Miguel is very driven by the people saying Pacquiao will beat him. It’s extra motivation and he is coming with more fire because people are saying he can’t win," Santiago added.

Speed and power are said to be the 30-year-old Pacquiao’s main arsenal but Santiago said his ward would be able to handle them, being all fired up to put up an even better performance than he dished out against previous victims like Joshua Clottey (split decision), Sugar Shane Mosley (unanimous decision), and Zab Judah (11th round TKO).

“Cotto is at his best, and he is out to show that against Manny. It will be a very tough night for Pacquiao because winning means so much to Miguel. There is so much desire. Miguel Cotto showed a lot about his will to win in the Clottey fight. He will show this against Manny as well but you will also see his speed and power in this fight," he said.

“I think Miguel has shown people he can deal with speed in fighting Mosley and Judah. People don’t think Miguel can stay with Manny and his speed and rhythm but I think he will and it will surprise people," he added.

Miguel is very driven by the people saying Pacquiao will beat him. It’s extra motivation and he is coming with more fire because people are saying he can’t win.
–Joe Santiago, Miguel Cotto's trainer

Cotto and Pacquiao, the reigning pound for pound king, will dispute the WBO 147-lb strap at a catch weight of 145-lbs.

The 30-year-old Pacquiao is motivated by the prospect of winning an unprecedented world title in a seventh division, after being the IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight champion, WBC lightweight boss, WBC super featherweight kingpin, Ring Magazine featherweight ruler, IBF super bantamweight titlist, and WBC flyweight holder.

But Santiago said the 28-year-old Cotto has so much more to gain in the anticipated fight dubbed as “Firepower."

“We feel Miguel is the best fighter in the world and when the night comes and he does beat Manny, everyone will see Puerto Rico has the best fighter in the world.

"Miguel has shown he’s willing to fight anyone and he’s beat them all with one exception. We feel all he has to do is beat Pacquiao and it will prove he is the best fighter in the world. A win over Pacquiao would be huge, not only for Miguel and I but for everyone in Puerto Rico," he said.

Source: GMANews.TV

Pacquiao vs Cotto 24/7 debuts on Saturday

Set your DVRs fight fans as HBO’s ‘24/7’ series is getting ready to hit the airwaves once again. With only a few weeks away before the Pacquiao vs. Cotto mega-fight, the series will give fans a taste at how things play out during training camp and during their everyday lives leading up to the fight.

The first episode will debut this Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT and will be replayed throughout the week on HBO and HBO2. Of course it’ll also be On Demand beginning Oct. 26.

The opener will zone in on the beginning of their camps from the Philippines and Tampa, Florida respectively.

If you’ve enjoyed previous installments of the series, you’ll want to check it out.

With all of the rumored issues going on in Pacquiao’s camp specifically focusing on advisor Michael Koncz, I’ll anxiously await to see if the cameras pick up any of that dissention.

Source: examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto - Official Update

TAMPA, FLA (October 19, 2009) -- With less than four weeks to go until FIREPOWER: MANNY PACQUIAO vs. MIGUEL COTTO, the World Welterweight Championship extravaganza, the major players in the most anticipated fight of the year will begin to make themselves available to the media.

From their Tampa-based training camp, Cotto’s head trainer JOE SANTIAGO and strength and conditioning coach PHIL LANDMAN, along with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, will host a Media Conference
Call, Tomorrow! Tuesday, October 20, beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT to discuss Cotto’s conditioning and training as he prepares for the biggest and most important fight of his career.

Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the soldout MGM Grand in Las Vegas , Nev and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Source: doghouseboxing.com

Will All Of These Distractions Be The Down Fall Of Manny Pacquiao?

In numerous interviews on ESPN, Bernard Hopkins has stated that he feels Manny Pacquiao is the current number one pound for pound fighter in the world; and he's also stated that the only way Manny will lose, is if he makes himself lose.

So that essentially means, that no one can defeat Pacquiao right now for he is in his prime and in the zone. But, if he starts to slack in training or get's too distracted, a defeat could be waiting in the wings.

With report after report arising about the significant distractions and drama affecting Pacquiao's training camp, it can only be disadvantages for the pound for pound fighter.

From the various TV and movie rolls, public appearances, future political plans, typhoons and humanitarian work, Manny may just have too much on his plate right now. Don't forget the recent drama with his financial advisor Michael Koncz, getting beat up by his strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

It really does sound like HBO has a very interesting 24/7 on their hands.

I began to worry about Manny when he was sitting ringside for the Clottey v Cotto fight. I saw Manny distracted from everything around him and not focusing on the fight. It appeared to be the look of over confidence as he witnessed Cotto struggling against the durable, tough Clottey.

In past Pacquiao fights, when Manny has been rather distracted, the most seemed to be during his first fight with Erik Morales, the Oscar Larios match and his rematches with Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Whether it was management troubles, rock star lifestyle partying, or being too over confident, Manny's performance in the ring was affected by these distractions.

The first Morales fight was Manny's last loss. I felt the fact he wasn't able to wear his signature Reyes puncher gloves, really affected him. Pacquiao without his Reyes gloves is like Popeye without his spinach.

In both the rematch and rubber match, Pacquiao was able to wear his Reyes gloves and gave Morales his first knockdown of his career and first stoppage. He then totally destroyed him in the three rounds of the rubber match.

In the Oscar Larios fight, which was back in his homeland at the famous Araneta Coliseum, many criticized Manny for not training as hard as he should have and not stopping Larios; but letting it go to a full 12 round decision. Other rumors indicated that Manny intentionally carried Larios for the full 12 rounds to fit in sufficient time to endorse all of his sponsors.

This rumor can be viewed as more credible, as in the post fight ring interview, Manny was holding many different soda and energy drinks; as well as wearing several different endorsement hats.

In the Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez fights, it was reported that Manny was enjoying his new rock star party life style and was not 100 percent devoted to training.

The HBO countdown series focused more on Manny's distractions than his actual training.

In both the Barrera and Marquez rematch, Paquiao took it to a decision win. The Marquez rematch ended up as one of the most highly debated split decision wins in recent boxing history.

Now, when Pacquiao is fully focused and in prime animal conditioning, it can be hard to view him losing at all. Evidence of this can be seen in his near perfect fights with the stopping of Oscar De La Hoya and the demolition of Ricky Hatton.

Miguel Cotto is also a machine that will not quit. His only loss came from the highly suspected illegally plastered hands of Antonio Margarito. When ever Cotto was hurt or down, he came back up to win like a true champion should.

But one thing is for sure entering Nov. 14, Cotto will be the toughest fight of Paquiao's career. Cotto is the true Welterweight Champion of the world. He is the strongest, most devastating body puncher Manny will ever step into the ring with. Miguel Cotto is not a fighter to be taken lightly, over looked or to fight after a camp full of drama and distractions.

As a big fan of both Cotto and Pacquiao, one can not be more than happy that this fight will be happening in less than a month.

Again, these two guys have been keeping the sport of boxing alive. When many criticize boxing to be growing more and more boring and dying, one can easily defend it by showing them any of Pacquiao or Cotto's fights.

So having both of these men in the ring with each other can only be a true fight fan's dream.

Miguel Cotto has been taking this fight very seriously- to the point of possibly over training himself- as he started weeks before Pacquiao even began training camp.

As for Pacquiao, until I see footage of him flooring and destroying much larger, stronger, sparring partners in camp at the Wild Card gym on a daily basis, I will not feel entirely comfortable about his performance come fight night.

Source: bleacherreport.com

Shaq wants to lead Pacman to ring for bout

MANILA, Philippines - Shaquille O’Neal leading Manny Pacquiao up to the ring against Miguel Cotto?

Well, to Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, it sounds a good idea.

The hottest trainer in boxing today said the bulging NBA superstar had thought of leading Pacquiao to the ring although Roach said he has yet to take it up with Pacquiao seriously – barely four weeks the fight set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach said that awhile back, during the NBA break, he had the chance to give the 7-1 O’Neal, who wears size 23” shoes, some boxing lessons in Los Angeles, and the former Laker superstar brought up the idea and offered himself for the role.

“He sounded like he really wanted to do it,” said Roach, not forgetting that a couple of wrestling superstars have led Pacquiao up the ring in his previous fights.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment champion “The Undertaker” was the first to play the role when he led Pacquiao in his march up the ring for his fight with Hector Velasquez at the Staples Center in 2005. And for the Ricky Hatton fight last May, it was Dave Batista, with Filipino blood, leading Pacquiao to the ring.

So, why not O’Neal?

Roach said the NBA player who weighs over 300 lb is such a fun guy to be with.

“I saw his shoes in the gym and I wanted to keep them as souvenir so I tried to steal them. But they wouldn’t fit in my gym bag so I had to leave them behind,” said Roach, who recalled the incident with a smile.

O’Neal learned about it, and the next thing Roach knew was that the future NBA Hall-of-Famer had sent him a pair.

“They were so huge they looked like a kid’s toy truck,” said Roach of the giant fellow.

“In the gym, I had to put vaseline on his face and I had to use a stool to do that,” said the American trainer, almost laughing.

He really has nothing against the idea of O’Neal being up there on the ring with Pacquiao.

Source: philstar.com

Pacquiao to get $20 million in upcoming fight vs.Cotto

CALIFORNIA: Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has assured his top fighters Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto of a record paycheck for their November 14 title fight in Nevada.
Arum, whose Las Vegas-based company Top Rank is promoting the Pacquiao-Cotto, said that between them, the two welterweight superstars will easily earn $30 million in what could be the richest fight this year.

“I take great pride in this fight,” Arum told Rick Folstad of TheSweetScience.com. “We have two guys who are going to make their biggest payday on November 14. Pacquiao will make over $20 million and Cotto will make over $10 million. And I helped create that.”

Arum, 78, said he just visited his two favorite boxers and found them both in great shape with less than one month to go to the World Boxing Organization welterweight fight dubbed “Fire Power” at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Arum added that he expects a “very competitive fight with lots of action” that the fans would love.
“Manny is an offensive machine,” he said. “He blends in his defense in the best possible way. In essence, he turns himself into a magician in the ring. He can disappear while in plain sight.”

Arum said Pacquiao, who won his first world title at flyweight, was an explosive puncher, but he added that Cotto has more power because he was a natural welterweight.

“Miguel is the bigger guy, and Manny might be vulnerable to Miguel’s left hand to the body and the head. It’s how Manny reacts to those left hands that will be the story of the fight.”

Cotto focused

The 28-year-old Cotto (34-1, 27 by knockouts) is training in Tampa, Florida, and expects to log 12 full weeks of preparation, according to his trainer Joe Santiago.
Santiago said Team Cotto knows what is at stake in this fight, which Cotto described as the biggest fight of his career.

“Miguel is quite focused in training, especially for the big fights like this one,” Santiago said.

He said Cotto trained for one month in Puerto Rico and would train a total of six more weeks in Tampa the move to Las Vegas at the start of November for the final push.
Cotto, who is putting his WBO welterweight championship belt on the line, said he likes training in Tampa because it’s easy for him to concentrate.

“Puerto Rico is my country and that’s where I live,” he said, talking with the media after a two-hour heavy workout. “But there are a lot of distractions when I’m there. That’s what I like best about Tampa, there are no distractions.”

“I do two things when I’m here. I train and I rest. Train and rest,” said Cotto who added that the hot and humid October weather was very much like back home.

Cotto’s training regimen is quite organized—everything was planned, precise and consistent, said Santiago.

Unlike Pacquiao, who is known to be playful at training camp, Cotto trains with the concentration of Shaolin monk.

Source: manilatimes.net

Roach predicts KO victory by Pacquiao

BAGUIO CITY — Three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach here Friday predicted Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will win his seventh title when he collides with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto next month.

Pacquiao and Cotto will be testing each other’s mettle in a blockbuster title bout on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Manny has been doing excellent work in his training here. We are confident we could finish the fight early to prevent Cotto from getting his second wind.” Roach stressed.

In his latest sparring session late Thursday afternoon, the 30-year-old world champion floored undefeated superwelterweight contender Shawn Porter in the second round of their four-round blistering encounter with a solid left straight to the latter’s jaw.

After knocking down Porter, Pacquiao also virtually mauled two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico as he displayed awesome speed and power.

Pacquiao is on his fourth week of rigid training in this mountain resort city in preparation for the Cotto fight. Team Pacquiao will be breaking camp here on October 23 in order to catch the late evening flight for Los Angeles the following day where he will be entering the Wild Card gym on October 26 for the final stage of his training.

“Manny is nearing his peak form. We are now regulating his training regimen so that he could maintain his excellent performance in the ring until the fight. We already got our game going with the help of his supportive sparring partners,” Roach added.

While admitting that Typhoon Pepeng had a slight effect on the pound for pound king’s roadwork, Roach claimed they are now taking advantage of the good weather to get back lost time although the gym work is way ahead of schedule.

Earlier, Roach predicted Pacquiao will knock out Cotto in either the eighth or ninth round but said the champion’s performance in recent days shows that there will be an early knockout victory for his favorite ward.

Since Cotto is known to be able to get his second wind in the later part of his previous fights, the American trainer claimed Pacquiao will be working aggressively in the early rounds in order to catch the champion off balanced to be assured of a victory.

Source: mb.com.ph

Cotto Looks 'Strong' in Sparring Sessions

TAMPA, Fla. -- A banner high on a distant wall of The Fight Factory Gym depicts Miguel Cotto throwing a jab just above the head of Manny Pacquiao, a bull's-eye over his face.

"On Nov. 14, the world will witness who will be the new king of the ring," read the words on the large poster, beneath which the live version of Cotto is involved in a spirited sparring session with talented southpaw Fred Tukes of Atlanta, with trainer Joe Santiago also in the ring.

"We're a team and we're behind Miguel every single minute, thinking about the fight in Tampa. We have no distractions. Our focus is Manny Pacquiao and that's our target," Santiago said Wednesday.

Santiago said that the 28-year-old Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) has been "tirelessly" toiling in Florida for Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), against whom he'll defend his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"We did four weeks in [Cotto's native] Puerto Rico, and we'll accomplish eight weeks outside of Puerto Rico -- six in Tampa and two more in Las Vegas, starting on Nov. 1," said Santiago. "We wake up early in the morning to train in the morning workout, and we go to the gym because Manny Pacquiao is our No. 1 target."

In the ring, Cotto's eyes were fixed firmly upon Tukes, whom he pursued from behind a rapier-like jab during the first of three, three-minute rounds with 30 seconds rest in-between.

"I'm working on everything -- my distance, how to take the control of every round," said Cotto, whose full video interview can be seen by clicking here. "I have a plan A, plan B, and I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to have any problems the night of the fight."

Wearing blue head gear and white gloves, in contrast to Tukes' red head gear and red gloves, Cotto pursued his rival like an animal tracking prey.

"[Santiago] said that he needed for me to give Miguel a lot of movement, try to make him miss and to throw straight left hands at him. I was trying to emulate Pacquiao as much as possible. I think I did a pretty good job ," said Tukes, a muscular, 35-year-old southpaw with a professional record of 8-1-1 that includes five knockouts.

At one point, Cotto trapped Tukes in a neutral corner and fired away. Tukes acknowledged that he "felt every punch."

"If Miguel gets Pacquiao on the ropes, I think that Miguel's body shots are going to be significant," said Tukes. "That overhand left and his straight right hand and his hook that he throws off of the jab -- he's a lot faster than people think that he is."

His rotation complete, Tukes was replaced by a fresher, more youthful Kenny Abril, a gifted 25-year-old brawler-boxer from Rochester, N.Y.

"We both give different looks: Kenny has a lot of head movement, throws good combinations and has pretty fast hands," said Tukes. "And Kenny's a bit more in-your-face, straight up, one-two, spin around, that sort of thing."

As Abril came forward, Cotto again used his jab, only this time to blast his opponent from a distance. Cotto often sent volleys as he circled to the left or to the right.

"Cotto can be a boxer-puncher and switch up virtually at will. Shane Mosley, for example, when he trained for Cotto, he trained for a brawler moreso than a boxer," said Tukes, referring to Cotto's November, 2007, decision over the former world champion from Los Angeles.

"But when Miguel switched it up on him in the later rounds and went into boxing mode," said Tukes, "Shane was like, 'Oh, damn, I didn't train for this.' "

When his three-round session had run its course, Abril offered a similar impression, calling Cotto "just too strong."

"Today, Miguel caught me with a body shot and just recently, the other day, with a nice hook to the head when I went to spin off," said Abril. "Every time I move, his punches are right on point. I move to the left or move to the right, he's always there timing me beautifully."

"I have a plan A, plan B, and I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to have any problems the night of the fight."
- Miguel Cotto

Abril wore a white head gear and black gloves.

"But Pacquiao won't be wearing protective head gear, so if Miguel catches him like he did me on those days, he's a goner. Pacquiao will be going home early -- straight back to the Philippines. I mean, he'll be out of it," said Abril. "Miguel's really sharp and strong with the body shots -- an amazing fighter."

Abril was similarly effusive concerning Cotto's roadwork.

"He's an amazing runner, which I know because we wake up every morning with him and run with him," said Abril. "He's nonstop. I'm always gasping for air trying to keep up."

When he wasn't sparring, Cotto was being followed around by his promoter, Bob Arum, legendary trainer, Angelo Dundee, or the cameras of HBO's 24/7 series.

Also Watching the sparring from ringside was Miguel Sr., who is among his son's most ardent critics. Yet even the father had to give Miguel Jr. his props.

"I've been telling Miguel what kind of punches he needed to throw, what kind of movement we needed to do, and I was very happy with his progress today -- much better than the last session," said Miguel Sr., a short man with peppered hair.

"Mentally, Miguel's very strong. He's always been there. But that's why he's successful. But on Nov. 14, he'll be much more mentally strong than Pacquiao, and that will be the ultimate in giving my son the advantage."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Manny Pacquiao Looks Stronger Than Ever in Camp

Following eight rounds of solid sparring with formrr world champion Jose Luis Castillo and undefeated light middleweight Shawn Porter, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach indicated he was really pleased with his prized fighter’s showing as he picks up tempo in preparation for his “Fire Power” showdown against WBO champion Miguel Cotto on November 14.

In a conversation with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, conditioning guru Alex Ariza said Pacquiao did really well and that Roach said he had “never seen him (Pacquiao) look stronger.”

Castillo himself said he was “not used to movement like this” as shown by Pacquiao and added that in his assessment Pacquiao is “better than Floyd Mayweather Jr, is faster and stronger.”

Ariza said that Pacquiao gets hit only if he wants to get hit and that when he decides to move, nobody can touch him.

The conditioning expert who helped enhance the explosiveness of Pacquiao ever since he joined Roach some weeks prior to the title fight against David Diaz whom Pacquiao demolished in nine rounds and then annihilated Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky “Hitman” Hatton said Pacquiao was “a little sore from the conditioning and strengthening routine” he’s been working on.

However, Ariza said Pacquiao “wants to pick it up. He’s seeing his body get firm and he looks and feels so strong.”

He said he was extremely satisfied with how Pacquiao is right now and expects him to get even better when they move to the Wild Card Gym in the final week of October.

Over in Miami, Florida, boxing writer Lem Satterfield reports that Miguel Cotto engaged in a spirited sparring session with talented southpaw Fred Tukes of Atlanta while Cotto's trainer Joe Santiago was on top of the situation in the ring.

Santiago was quoted as saying "We're a team and we're behind Miguel every single minute, thinking about the fight in Tampa. We have no distractions. Our focus is Manny Pacquiao and that's our target.."

Santiago said that the 28-year-old Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) has been "tirelessly" toiling in Florida in preparation for Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs). He disclosed that they did four weeks in [Cotto's native] Puerto Rico, and would accomplish eight weeks outside of Puerto Rico -- six in Tampa and two more in Las Vegas, starting on Nov. 1.

The trainer said they " wake up early in the morning to train in the morning workout, and we go to the gym because Manny Pacquiao is our No. 1 target."

Satterfield reported that during the sparring session Cotto's eyes were fixed firmly upon Tukes, whom he pursued from behind a rapier-like jab during the first of three, three-minute rounds with 30 seconds rest in-between.

"I'm working on everything -- my distance, how to take the control of every round," said Cotto. "I have a plan A, plan B, and I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to have any problems the night of the fight." It was reported that Cotto pursued his rival like an animal tracking prey.

"[Santiago] said that he needed for me to give Miguel a lot of movement, try to make him miss and to throw straight left hands at him. I was trying to emulate Pacquiao as much as possible. I think I did a pretty good job ," said Tukes, a muscular, 35-year-old southpaw with a professional record of 8-1-1 that includes five knockouts.

At one point, Cotto trapped Tukes in a neutral corner and fired away. Tukes acknowledged that he "felt every punch."

"If Miguel gets Pacquiao on the ropes, I think that Miguel's body shots are going to be significant," said Tukes. "That overhand left and his straight right hand and his hook that he throws off of the jab -- he's a lot faster than people think that he is."

Source: boxingscene.com

Manny Pacquiao trainer warns that Miguel Cotto will fight dirty

Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach will demand referees impose automatic disqualification for any deliberate low blow landed during the Filipino's challenge for Miguel Cotto's WBO welterweight title.

Puerto Rican Cotto was docked a point for low blows in his successful defence against Zab Judah in 2007, but maintained the blows had been accidental.

"Cotto tends to get dirty when the going gets tough in most of his fights and I don’t want that to happen," Roach told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "I will make sure the referee will be very strict about it.

"Cotto stops his opponents' momentum with that kind of blow. In that Judah fight he had five low blows."

Roach also exprssed concerns about Joe Cortez being chosen as one of the referees and said he would raise the issue at a rules meeting before the Nov 14 showdown in Las Vegas.

"Joe Cortez is Puerto Rican and he’s in the running as one of the referees. I don’t want him letting Cotto get away with stuff like that. We’re going to make an issue out of it first,” Roach added.

The highly anticipated bout pits Pacquiao, widely regarded the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, against Cotto, who retained his WBO title in June with a split decision over Ghana's Joshua Clottey.

Source: miguel-cotto-news.newslib.com

Miguel Cotto: I fight for the glory of my country

TAMPA, FLORIDA - The countdown began. Now just a month before the biggest fight of his career and Miguel Cotto said that while his body is feeling the rigors of hard work, can not get better training.

"We are very good, very happy, very pleased with the camp. It is the best preparation we have done. Also a little sore from the intensity of work in the afternoons here in the gym in the mornings at the track, but we know that these pains go away and that our 'performance' will greatly improve, "said Cotto to the New Day yesterday after completing a training session in Tampa Fight Factory Gym in which more than two hours did floor work (cardio, jump rope and gauntlet).

Cotto said he was not worried that feels physical discomfort at this time, since "they are normal when you do this type of preparation. It's typical, shoulders ache a little wrists and hands. I have a think about the camps. At the camp for the fight against Kelson Pinto, in 2004 when he became a champion for the first time I had a hemorrhage in the brachial plexus, three weeks before the fight. There was no camp that my shoulders hurt and I've always said that a camp is not camp without pains. "

But beyond the physical discomfort, Cotto said that the mental and spiritual aspect feels better than ever, is the second time that makes all the hard preparation outside Puerto Rico.


"I feel very relaxed, I have no anxiety. Unlike many previous camps, this time we are enjoying the day to day, sharing with colleagues in camp, both at the track and in the gym. It remains to continue doing the job for a month, the days go by and wait for the November 14, where we hope to have an excellent result, "said the WBO welterweight champion, who followed a second fight has done his training at the Tampa Fight Factory Gym.

With presence Cotto

And indeed, their presence has been felt here. Within the large gym, owned by Pete Fernandez and Cuban coach that is also used for lifting weights, practicing mixed martial arts and kickboxing, seven Banners with a photo of Cotto, the logo of its founding and a message .

In the biggest sign there is a large photo of Cotto launching a coup to Pacquiao. Below is a message that says 'on 14 November, the world will know who will be the new king of the ring'. In another, a Puerto Rican flag background, says "I fight for the pride of Puerto Rico and honor my flag 'and Pacquiao is one in which Cotto quote saying' find your weaknesses and conquer '.

"Those are words I said in a joking or serious. The treatment here in the gym has been excellent, we have provided the area to do the job well and we have made approaches to use the track at the University of Tampa to run. Whenever I train whenever I offer my maximum. The only difference is that Puerto Rico still far from any distractions can come in here and we can train and dedicate more and focus on what is our camp. " said Cotto, who yesterday received a visit from Bob Arum and Top Rank officials.

LE RIPOSTO A ROACH

On the other hand, Cotto met him in the expressions of Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, who accused the Puerto Rican to be a dirty fighter, which uses low blows when in distress. The same charge was made when he fought Shane Mosley Cotto in 2007.

But Roach went further to state that require the first blow, Cotto is penalized. These statements can be taken as a strategy for Cotto Roach think twice before using one of your best resources, the attack on the body. However, the Puerto Rican boxer said he will not change its style for the November 14 bout will be at a maximum weight of 145 pounds and the WBO welterweight championship.

"Freddie Roach has to understand that is just Manny Pacquiao's trainer, you can train as best you can, but nothing that will change the outcome of the fight. On November 14, Miguel Cotto will make its work as usual, come prepared Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and learn to take its rightful role and belongs, which is coaching. No matter what he tries to put pressure, no matter the comments, what he tries to do, we'll keep working and doing our usual pattern of fighting, "said welterweight champion, who is marking 34 (27) -1 (1 ).

For Cotto, it seems that he does not care if the great interests of the boxing industry, including television, they prefer that Pacquiao beat him so that the stage is set for a battle between the Filipino and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

"In reality it does not interest me and does not affect me at all. I'm so focused on what this fight. If after I beat Manny Pacquiao, wants to see the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, I have no problem, you can do it. Boxing is great, Miguel Cotto does not depend on any fighter for his race is still on the rise, to continue his career, so the group Mayweather, Pacquiao's group, professional boxing world in general, can make whatever they want. "
Source: elnuevodia.com

More on Pacquiao-Castillo

Proving that last week’s bad weather was never an issue in training camp, Manny Pacquiao dominated his sparring partners Tuesday at the Shape-Up Gym in Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio City. Pacquiao sparred with highly touted former two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico for three rounds. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming world welterweight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto set for 12-rounds at a catch weight of 145lbs scheduled on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his anticipated sparring with Castillo, Pacquiao used his vastly improved lateral movements in trying to avoid the Mexican’s uppercuts and body shots. Pacquiao stalled Castillo’s aggressive attacks with three to five punch combos and counter left straights.

The 35-year-old Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs) ended his first day of sparring with specks of blood in his left nostril.

“I can’t see his left. It’s very fast and strong. I think that will be a big problem of Cotto,” Castillo told Fightnews after the work out.

Chief trainer Freddie Roach, who at first seemed cautious when it comes to having Castillo as a sparring partner now expressed his contentment in having the Mexican inside the gym.

“Castillo looked to be off a little bit and he’s never sparred as fast as anyone like Manny. But I like his movement because he moves similar to Cotto. Overall it was a great workout and I was very happy,” said Roach.

In sparring with Porter, Pacquiao again worked on his footwork and stiff combinations while moving out of harm’s way.

“That will one of Manny’s best assets. His ability to throw strong punches while moving out of the ropes,” said two-time world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa who now works as one of Pacquiao’s assistant trainers.

Meanwhile Roach denied reports circulating on the internet that Pacquiao was knocked down in one sparring session last week.

Roach said no one has come close to flooring Pacquiao in any of their sparring sessions in their Baguio training camp.

Last weekend internet forums were deluged with queries and reports that Pacquiao got tagged by American sparring partner Shawn Porter.

“That’s a lie. I would know because I would have to pay. He’s getting hit but he’s never been floored ever. Not in eight years. The money is still in my pocket,” said Roach.

Roach has promised $1,000 for anyone among the sparring partners who could put down Pacquiao during sparring.

Source: fightnews.com

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto: Trial By Fire - With Prediction

With the end of 2009, closing in on us all, and thoughts of vacations, and time with our friends and families, its also been a time to reflect on the past year, and also, the year ahead. Not so, for Miguel Cotto, and Manny Pacquiao. These two ring warriors are in fierce battles with themselves, preparing to face each other on November 14th. There has been some tremendous match ups this year but this is going to be special. It’s one of those fights, that just thinking about it , gives you butterfly’s in your stomach, and it’s one of those fights that you know, will live up to its name. “Firepower”

Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao are two very different fighters , with totally different styles of fighting, but both have one thing in common. Power.

With 89 fights between them, and 64 of their opponents being relieved of their senses, with most of their knockouts coming by an accumulation of punches thrown in combinations, could this fight be dubbed as anything else ?

Miguel Cotto started his career after the 2000 Olympics, and quickly stormed up the light welterweight division, fighting a mixed bag of hopefuls, and former world champions along the way.

In 2004, he fought Kelson Pinto, for the vacant WBO World title, and battered the man who had beaten him in the amateurs, to win his first world championship belt.

From that time onwards, Cotto has never taken a backwards step, moving forward, stepping up to fight quality opponents, and giving us, the fans, some memorable nights, on his path to glory. One night in particular was when he fought Ricardo Torres, at the “Boardwalk” in Atlantic City. This town gave us some brutal encounters over the years, and Cotto v Torres was another night to remember.

Ricardo Torres had come into the fight as a late replacement, and was a virtual unknown to not just the boxing fans around the world, but to the boxing media. When he entered the ring, many thought this was going to be another lamb to the slaughter, at the hands, of the man from Cagues, Puerto Rico.

Cotto came out fast, sticking the jab, and following with some fast left hooks, all the while, stalking, and targeting Torres body. All expectations of a good fight went out the window, when Torres went down in the first round, from a left hook from Cotto. Torres got up, with his eyes wide and clear.

In a brilliant, round two, which saw Torres eat more hooks, until, suddenly, catching Cotto on the hop, he landed a thunderbolt punch flush on the jaw of the Puerto Rican, which sent him into panic mode, but also ignited him to feel the need to trade bombs on the inside, which could have cost him the fight. Coming forward, body bent, and head bowed, all the while swinging away wildly, Cotto was nailed again by another left hook haymaker, but got up and went back to his corner, knowing he had taken Torres’s best. What a round.

As the rounds progressed, and with a growing confidence in his ability to visibly shake Cotto up, Torres foolishly left his body and head wide open , and Cotto continued to persevere and punish him, until , finally in the 7th, he let rip, a tremendous, clinical combination, that took all the fight out of Ricardo Torres, to knock him out to retain his world title.

It was now 2006, and Cotto had made his mark in the light welterweight division. After battling with his body, he decided to move up in weight, where huge money fights could be made. At his first fight at 147, it was announced Cotto would be fighting the tough southpaw, Carlos Quintana for the vacant WBA, welterweight world title, back in Atlantic City. Thousands travelled from New York to witness Cotto hammer Quintana’s body over 5 rounds, to take the title back to Puerto Rico. From there on, Cotto was on a destruction and destroy mission, beating Oktay Urkal, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, and Alfonzo Gomez.

With great performances, better opposition, and clear cut wins, it looked like no one could beat him at the weight.

Antonio Margarito had been around a while, fighting anyone who wanted to fight. He didn’t care, he just wanted to make a better life for himself and his family. He wasn’t great to watch, didn’t speak any English
, and just couldn’t get a break on the lucrative p.p.v primetime circuit, and while struggling through life, winning in the ring, but never taking home a decent paycheck, he was a dangerous, desperate man. Miguel Cotto could change all that for him in one night.

Cotto v Margarito was signed for July , 2008, and it was a tremendous, struggle of a proud champion, taking everything from a challenger, willing to do anything to win. In the fight, Cotto, in my mind, was winning on points, until he made the fatal mistake of punching himself out, and allowing his opponent to drive unprotected shots into him, while on the ropes. It was unbelievable to watch. It was like Cotto had nothing left, while Margarito soared .

Cotto was beaten, and battered like never before.

Margarito went on to fight Shane Mosley and lose, not only his title but also his reputation. It was announced later that Margarito and his team would be under scrutiny for using illegal substances , while wrapping the man from Tijuana’s hands. All kinds of questions where asked regarding the Cotto win, and when I asked Cotto what he thought of the latest controvercy, he answered, “ he had a great night with me”’ every fighter knows whats happening when the hands are being wrapped, that’s it”

No doubt, it was an epic fight.

With 2008 behind him, Cotto came back to fight for the vacant WBO title against the likeable Englishman, Micheal Jennings.

Jennings was a tough, hard working boxer who had battled through life overcoming personal tragedies, and had fought in tremendous domestic battles to win the British welterweight title, and then win the WBU crown, to justify fighting for the WBO world title.

He was a fighter and if you get a call to fight for the highest honour, what do you do? You take it, and that’s what he did. In the fight, Cotto was relentless and was too much for Jennings, taking him out in the 5th round.

Less than 4 months later, he was matched to face the “Grand master” from Accra, Ghana, Joshua Cottey. Clottey was a good fighter who, like Margarito, no one wanted to fight him. He had gone the distance with Margarito at the end of 2006, and gave Zab Judah hell, in his last outing in Vegas.

In the fight, Cotto decked Clottey in the first round with a jab, and in the 5th round, he used Clottey as a heavy bag, punching out, well worked combinations, for just over a minute . Clottey to his credit, came back in periods of the fight, finding success with fast combinations, particularly right hands, due to Cotto not being able to see , as his eye was a bloodied mess from a headbutt early on in the fight, but overall, Cotto, was too precise and controlled to win by a split decision at Madison Square Garden.


Manny Pacquiao has been fighting since 1995, and in that time, he has fought his way up the rankings, boxing his first 23 fights in the Philippines, then winning world titles at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, and when he fights Miguel Cotto, for his title, he will be fighting for the chance to become the first person to win world titles in 7 weight divisions.

Who would have thought it possible.? Manny Pacquiao did.

With huge wins and epic battles over the divisions elite fighters, men like Eric Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao has made hundreds of millions of dollars, but still isn’t satisfied. When I spoke to him, he told me he wants everything!! If you read into that, it means he wants his legacy intact, a fistful of dollars more, and Miguel Cotto. I would say, at this point in his life, he will fight Cotto, then win or lose, he will retire. I interviewed him before the Ricky Hatton fight and he told me he wanted one more and he was out.

THE FIGHT.

For me, this is a tremendous match up for the fans, and I believe it will be a very tough fight for both fighters. You have the bigger man in Cotto, and his power, against the smaller, faster Pacquiao . Both have tasted defeat, and both have been down in their fights. Cotto is relentless with controlled pressure, while Pacquiao is relentless . Cotto has had no problems with southpaws,[ Corley, tko 5th.

Quintana, 5th , and Judah, tko 11th round] and Pacquiao hasn’t had many problems.

Pacquiao has been knocked out early on in his career [ once to the body, and once to the head.] Cotto has been knocked down a couple of times but always got up. [ Other than the Margarito fight.]

For Pacquiao to win this fight, he has to stay in the middle of the ring, and double up on his southpaw jab, followed by left hooks, and right hand counters. As the fight goes on, Miguel will gradually try to make himself smaller stooping in, with his back bent over, and his head hanging in. This will allow Manny to catch him with left hooks, and uppercuts at will. Cotto will use his tremendous jab, and throw his usual jab, wide left hook, followed by his signature left hook to the body, and try to take him out early. If that dosent hit the mark, then watch for the left jab, straight right, wide left hook to the body. Meanwhile, Pacquiao isn’t going to wait around for Cotto to do his best work, so Pacquiao will throw punches from all angles, hard and fast, particularly, right hands. If you watch Cotto, when he gets stunned or hurt, he does not know how to hang on or tie up his opponents arms. He never has. Freddie Roach will have noticed this and that’s what they will be working on in the gym. I feel Cotto knows this is his hardest fight, and he will be his usual “quiet assassin” and train accordingly. Pacquiao will be in the best shape possible as he knows this is for his legacy. A few questions will be asked, and answered, but my only question is” how much does Cotto have left inside him after the Margarito fight”

This will be a “Trial by fire” for him. Pacquiao is peaking right now as a fighter and im convinced Cotto has already peaked, mid to late 2007. [ He was devastating in his fights with Mosley, Judah, and Gomez. ]

This fight is a mega fight, with one man achieving a greatness that will never be equaled and another man fighting his demons of the past, and also a chance to fight for his own greatness, next year, fighting the best fighter on the planet, Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

MY PREDICTION.

PACQUIAO ON POINTS.

Gary Todd is an international author with his book on world champions, and their training methods. “Workouts from boxings greatest champs” He has been involved in all aspects, in the sport of boxing, for over 25 years, and he is a proud member of the boxing writers association of America. Look out for his follow up book, “Workouts II” coming soon.

Source: doghouseboxing.com

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Miguel Will Send Manny Into Retirement

Manny Pacquiao is thinking he’s going to be fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. sometime next year, but I think World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is going to have a lot to say about that and I’m counting on Cotto beating Pacquiao bad and sending him into retirement rather than into mega fight with Mayweather. Cotto, 28, will be facing Pacquiao on November 14th at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will be fighting with Miguel’s WBO welterweight title on the line at a 145 pound catch weight.

I still think it’s absurd to fight with the title on the line if there’s a limit that requires the champion Cotto from fighting at the normal weight for the belt. That is so wrong. It won’t matter, though, because Cotto is still going to beat the stuffing out of Pacquiao and will do badly enough where Pacquiao will have to retire rather than continue on. That’s my prediction!

Pacquiao has been beating up weight drained fighter like Oscar De La Hoya and nearly defenseless ones like Ricky Hatton. Now Pacquiao is facing a real threat and he’s going to have a real mess on his hands on November 14th, and I can’t wait to see Pacquiao getting beaten up.

It’s going to give me a lot of pleasure to see Pacquiao’s face getting rearranged by Cotto. I can’t express how much satisfaction I’m going to get watching Pacquiao get knocked down a peg. I just hope that Cotto does it slowly and methodically because I want the beating to last as long as possible.

If Cotto ends things too quickly, Pacquiao won’t suffer all that much and will likely still move ahead and take the fight with Mayweather in 2010. That rightfully be Cotto’s fight, but I know that Mayweather will probably still fight Pacquiao anyway, leaving Cotto, the victor, to have to scrape up whatever he can put together as far big money fights go.

Okay, so back to the beating. I want Cotto to focus on working over Pacquiao’s midsection, but he has to be careful that he doesn’t hit Pacquiao too hard because I don’t want Pacquiao flopping around on the canvas like a fish out of water, gasping for breath after Cotto lands a big body shot. Cotto needs to throw to the sides to make sure he doesn’t knock the air out of Pacquiao’s tiny body.

You can’t have the fight ending early from a body shot. I can just see the excuses that will role in on that one. ‘Ah, I was blinded by flash from a camera and, ah, didn’t see Cotto throwing to my stomach area.’ Next, after working over Pacquiao’s midsection, Cotto needs to go for the face. He’s got to hit him but no too hard. I want the eyes to puff, the lips to bleed and the nose to get flattened, but Cotto mustn’t try to brain Pacquiao with anything too hard because that will be letting him off the hook.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Miguel Cotto taking Manny Pacquiao way too seriously

When Manny Pacquiao is going over political campaign strategy, Miguel Cotto is training.

When Pacquiao is mapping out his postfight concert schedule, Cotto is training.

When Pacman is bobbing up and down in a swimming pool, Cotto is running the streets of Tampa the way a fighter is supposed to.

When Pacquiao is trying to keep Coach Freddie Roach from biting the head off of Michael Koncz, it’s harmony and harmony only in the quiet camp of Cotto.

When Pacquiao is shooting hoops in Baguio, Cotto is doing special physical conditioning with Phil Landman in Tampa.

When Pacman was running off to Manila to aid typhoon victims, Cotto was eating, sleeping and breathing boxing in Florida.

While Pacquiao is besieged by his outside of boxing interests—commercials, TV shows, movies and more—Cotto’s only focus is on their Nov. 14 fight in Las Vegas.

While Pacman’s poor choice of flooded, muddy Baguio as a training site caused a one day delay in the arrival of fresh sparring partners Danny Escobar and ex-champ Jose Luis Castillo, Cotto’s hired hands have been in camp from Day One.

While Pacquiao is trying to make up for lost time, cramming like a college student pulling an all nighter before a tough exam, Cotto had a big head start on the start of his serious training.

While the Pacman camp is split into two warring factions, Team Cotto is united, not divided.

Add it all up and what have you got, you Everlast Einsteins?

Do the distractions, the delays, the issues add up to a disastrous defeat for Megamanny? Is that light at the end of the tunnel a runaway freight train named Miguel I’m No Cotto which will derail the Pacman Express?

Don’t be silly.

The bottom line is Cotto is going to be over prepared.

He’s just taking this fight way too seriously almost as if the rest of his career depended on it.

He’s just training as though he thinks that being The Man who knocks off Manny will be some big deal.

Lighten up, Miguel, nobody likes a grinder.

Loosen up, will you?

Stop being such a nerd, such an Urkel.

Source: examiner.com

Paulie Malignaggi Boxing prediction on Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

Paulie Malignaggi, the former IBF lightwelterweight champion has gone on record to give his prediction on November 14th's highly anticipated mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi who himself has extremely solid skills and is always exciting in the ring, feels that Manny Pacquiao is trying to bite off more than he can chew in taking a fight with Cotto.

In taking on Miguel Cotto, Paulie Malignaggi tells Joseph Santoliquito of Ring Magazine that Manny Pacquiao "is definitely trying to bite off more than he can chew."

Malignaggi went on to tell the publication that the arguement can be made that Pacquiao's win over Oscar De La Hoya was a win over a shot fighter. "I know (Pacquiao) beat Oscar but you can make the argument that Oscar was pretty shot by then."

Malignaggi went on to add that Cotto, a fighter he faced in the past hits really hard. "Cotto's punches hurt, believe me I felt them," stated Malignaggi, adding: "I don't know if Manny can take that from such a bigger guy who's close to the top of his game."

So what's Malignaggi's final prediction on Pacquiao vs. Cotto? "Cotto wins by decision in a great fight,” predicted Malignaggi.

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. You can catch a live telecast of the fight on HBO Pay-per-view. (Check your local cable and satellite providers for more details.)

Source: doghouseboxing.com

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Miguel Will Burst the Manny Mystique

Manny Pacquiao has been largely lionized in the past year by the boxing public since beating Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. It’s sad that boxing fans have been so gullible as to be influenced by two pretty much empty wins as these when crowing Pacquiao as the top fighter in the sport. It’s actually sad when you think about it because it shows that fans don’t really have a great knowledge about the sport and can’t put wins in perspective.

Miguel Cotto is a great fighter, certainly better than De La Hoya and Hatton at this stage in my view. Maybe Hatton and De La Hoya were equally as good fighters at one point in their careers, but not by the time that they got to Pacquiao. Few boxing experts would agree that Hatton and De La Hoya had seen better days by the time that they fought Pacquiao.

So the fighters that Pacquiao faced were played out and vulnerable to getting beaten. And to a certain extent the same thing applies to Cotto, although he still has a lot despite his horrible 11th round stoppage loss to Antonio Margarito last year. Okay, so once we recognize that boxing fans have made the miscalculation of seeing Pacquiao as the top dog in the sport based on his empty wins over De La Hoya and Hatton, we must look at how good Pacquiao really is as a fighter.

The answer to that question, perhaps, can be answered by looking at Pacquiao’s “win” last year over Juan Manuel Marquez. In that fight, Pacquiao was out-boxed in eight of the twelve rounds by Marquez, yet the judges scored the fight for Pacquiao by a 12 round split decision.

I saw the fight five times in a row, okay, and I’m telling you that Marquez should have won that fight, period. I can take the fact that the judges saw it differently, while a massive amount of boxing experts like myself saw it as a Marquez win, but it tells you how good Pacquiao really is.

It doesn’t really matter who won the fight. What matters is that Pacquiao struggled badly against Marquez and won a controversial 12 round split decision. That much we can agree on. Marquez was Pacquiao’s last good opponent. I’m not taking anything away from Hatton or De La Hoya because they were great fighters in their day, but clearly not the same fighters by the time they fought Pacquiao.

But, really, Marquez is the last good fighter that Pacquiao fought and he looked horrible against Marquez. Since Pacquiao had a tough fight against Marquez, that you have to assume is about how good Pacquiao is a as a fighter. You can’t use De La Hoya or Hatton as a measuring sticking because they both looked like condemned fighters as they entered the ring against Pacquiao and didn’t look at all good.

Who besides Marquez can you use in recent history to judge how good Pacquiao is? David Diaz? How about a faded Marco Antonio Barrera? Other than Marquez, you really have to go back years to where Pacquiao fought Erik Morales in their first fight before you see Pacquiao fighting a live body who wasn’t faded, weight drained or just plain not that good.

Okay, so now we bring in Miguel Cotto, who I admit is still probably a little shaken from his beat down from Margarito last year, and put him in with Pacquiao. Say what you want about Cotto’s defensive skills, he’s a great offensive fighter and can punch like few others in the welterweight division. So you put Pacquiao in with Cotto and what do you expect will happen? The answer is in how Pacquiao fought against Marquez. Pacquiao is going to struggle and struggle big time against Cotto and end up taking a beating on November 14th. That’s just the way it is.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Pacquiao safe at 150 for bout

MANILA, Philippines - Steady at 150.

With still 34 days before the big fight, Manny Pacquiao hovered around 150 lb and should have no problem making the catchweight of 145 lb when he faces Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Nonoy Neri of Team Pacquiao yesterday said Pacquiao tipped the scales at 150 the other day after working at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City. He said the reigning pound-for-pound champ is now training as hard and eating as much.

“He’s very comfortable right now because he gets to eat anything he likes. And by training so hard, he stays at 150. He can lose the five pounds in the last two weeks of training and he’ll be safe,” said Neri, a long-time Pacquiao assistant.

Cotto, who agreed to stake his 147 lb title at a catchweight two pounds lower, said during last month’s press tour in the United States he was at 160 lb, and Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, said this should favor the FIlipino icon.

“Cotto has to work harder than us making weight,” said Ariza.

Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, said Pacquiao is where he should be right now as they entered their third week of training in the country’s summer capital. They will move to Los Angeles on Oct. 24, and to Las Vegas a week before the Nov. 14 fight.

There were reports, however, that Pacquiao might fly to the US earlier because of the spate of typhoons that have hit the country and may have had an effect on his training in Baguio City, which has been terribly affected by typhoon “Pepeng” this week.

Jose Luis Castillo, the former WBC lightweight champion, arrived in Manila yesterday along with super-lightweight Danny Escobar but couldn’t proceed to Baguio to spar with Pacquiao because the major roads leading to the city are impassable due to flooding or landslides.

It’s the first time Pacquiao will fight at 145 lb, even if he took on Oscar dela Hoya at 147 last December. For the fight against the Golden Boy, Pacquiao tipped the scales on the eve of the fight at 142 lb and climbed the ring at 148 1/2.

For this fight, Roach has set the numbers.

“I see him (Pacquiao) coming into the fight at 149 lb, the heaviest he’ll be in,” said Roach.”He was 148 1/2 for Oscar and 147 for Ricky Hatton last May.”

“But I don’t want him going over 150 because going past 150 will make him sluggish. I don’t care if Cotto climbs the ring at 165. We’ll stay at 150 or less,” said Roach, adding that for the official weigh-in the Pinoy champ should be at arounf 143 lb.

Again, weight is no weighty issue for Pacquiao.

Source: philstar.com