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