Roach says Pacquiao’s weight would not be a problem

MIGUEL COTTO could climb the ring a couple of pounds over the agreed limit and still not have a chance against Manny Pacquiao, according to trainer Freddie Roach.

There are talks about the Puerto Rican welterweight possibly encountering trouble making the catch weight of 145 lb for the November 14 bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, but Roach believes he has the world’s best fighter and there would be no problem come fight night.

“I’m prepared for that possibility,” Roach said. “But that’s no problem. I’m not worried.”

“One or two pounds heavier, we are not worried. We have the best fighter here,” he said.

Talks arose anew over the weekend when the comebacking Floyd Mayweather Jr. weighed two pounds over the agreed 144-lb limit and went on to clobber a much lighter Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico also at the MGM Grand.

But although Cotto may look much heavier—he is around an inch shorter than Mayweather—he has been able to trim down for his previous fights, weighing 146 in his fight earlier this year against Michael Jennings, who came in at 147.

Cotto has been fighting as a welterweight for three years. The Puerto Rican last fought under 147, when he took on Paul Malignaggi in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-weltwerweight title bout in 2006. He won the World Boxing Association welterweight crown after that and went on to claim the WBO belt.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is only at 151 lb a week into his eight-week training program. He fought at 130 against Marquez just two years ago before recently moving up to fight heavier foes in Mexican-American light-weltwerweight David Diaz, American superstar Oscar de la Hoya and British brawler Ricky Hatton.

Roach arrived from the United States on Tuesday and immediately checked out the training facilities at Stand Up Boxing Gym in Cooyeesan Mall in Baguio City.

The American hadn’t even unpacked his things when he started training with the flamboyant southpaw from General Santos City.

Pacquiao is looking to train for around eight weeks and Roach said he will be satisfied with a five-and-a-half-week program in Baguio before the camp moves to the US.

“It’s a world class gym here,” said Roach, who had Mexico as first pick for Pacquiao’s training.

Roach said that the only problem for Pacquiao training in Baguio is jet lag and the altitude.

“There is the altitude to play with. Training in LA is at sea level (like Las Vegas) but here it is 5,000 feet above sea level,” he said.

Roach also criticized the recent performance of Mayweather, who many consider to be the best option for Pacquiao’s next fight.

“It’s (Mayweather-Marquez) a boring match. It did not get me out of my seat which is what boxing should be,” Roach said.

“Mayweather is not exciting for me. He did not get the job done as expected.” (With Mau Victa)

Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/sports/16415-roach-says-pacquiaos-weight-would-not-be-a-problem.html

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Pacquiao begins preparing for Cotto fight

BAGUIO, Philippines — Philippines boxing star Manny Pacquiao entered his training camp here Sunday as the six-time world champion temporarily bid goodbye to show business to focus on his much-awaited blockbuster bout against Miguel Cotto in November.

"I need to focus," the "Pacman", 49-3 with two drawn and 37 knockouts, said as he checked into his hotel in this northern mountain resort, having cleared his busy schedule for product endorsements and television shows.

He said his wife and mother would not be allowed into his training quarters.

Pacquiao, boxing's pound-for-pound king after beating Oscar de la Hoya in 2008 and knocking out Britain's Ricky Hatton in May, will face Cotto, 34-1 with 27 knockouts, on November 14 in Las Vegas in a welterweight showdown.

The 30-year-old Filipino's American trainer Freddie Roach was expected to arrive in Baguio over the next few days.

"This place is ideal. My training runs would be intense," Pacquiao said. "Also, it's not too crowded."

He said his trainers have devised a plan to counter the Puerto Rican's superior size, but gave no details.

Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez asked Filipinos to give his man some space as the left-handed boxer trains outside the glare of the public eye.

"We ask for the people's prayers," he said. "We will try our best to help Manny win."

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gVFi3scfZqnMkRPp_wVyInOJGvPA

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Cotto may have problem making weight

BEVERLY HILLS – Conditioning coach Alex Ariza liked what he saw at the Beverly Hills Hotel here yesterday.

No, it wasn’t the elegance of the “Pink Palace” (as the hotel, built in 1912, is affectionately called), not its scroll of past celebrity guests like Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne or John F. Kennedy, and neither those gorgeous ladies walking the premises.

What caught Ariza’s sharp eyes was the shape Miguel Cotto was in, in the last day of the press tour that carried the Puerto Rican champion, and Manny Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king from the Philippines, to New York, Puerto Rico and San Francisco and LA over the last five days.

“Did you see him out there? He must be weighing 160 pounds,” said Ariza who came into the picture with the promise that he can keep Pacquiao moving up in weight and adding up more power without losing his speed. He introduced the Pinoy icon to the special program of plyometrics.

And they’re been extremely successful so far with big knockout wins over Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton.


He said Cotto weighing as much (the WBO champion said a few days ago he was at 159 lb) gives him the feeling that the wide-bodied Puerto Rican might find it quite difficult making the catchweight limit of 145 lb. Pacquiao is just a little over 150, and with two months left is safely there.

“He (Cotto) must be 160 pounds and we’re fighting at 145 with only two months left. He’s got a lot more work to do than us. We also have work to do but Cotto has got to lose a lot of weight,” said Ariza, who’s hoping that at 145 lb, Pacquiao could be as sharp, as fast and as strong as he was in his last fights.

Cotto said he plans to climb the ring at 160.

“He weighed in at 142 for the Oscar dela Hoya fight (which was fought at 147 lb) and climbed the ring at 148 1/2. Now if we can put him in that shape I don’t see anyone who will be able to take his punches. He really looked exceptionally well at 142,” said Ariza, who’s coming over to Baguio City for the training.

Ariza said he’s not concerned at all that some people feel that Pacquiao is lagging behind Cotto in training. While the Puerto Rican is into his fourth week, Pacquiao will mark day one of his training on Sept. 21 at the earliest.

But Ariza said it doesn’t really matter because eight weeks have proven to be the perfect formula, and anything more or less than that won’t bring out the best in him.

“Believe me, once he’s in training nothing can disrupt him. And once he’s ready, he’d climb the gate just to fight,” he said.

At the press conference, Pacquiao said when he climbs the ring against Cotto he will prove the world “who Manny Pacquiao is.”

The 30-year-old icon is gunning for a record seventh world title in different weight classes.

Cotto capped the press tour by saying there’s nothing else to do now but train, and make sure that when the fight comes “you’re in your best shape.”

Cotto is scheduled to fly back to Puerto Rico, and in just a couple of days will be in Tampa, Florida for the big grind. Pacquiao, on the other hand, motors to San Diego today to do the ceremonial pitch in the Padres’ game before heading back to Manila later in the evening.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=505638&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Pacquiao not bothered by Cotto’s training headstart

It doesn’t bother Manny Pacquiao if Miguel Cotto had gone four weeks ahead of him training for their November 14 title showdown.

That has always been the case for him.

“Ganyan naman palagi. Nauuna mag-train ang mga kalaban natin," he said upon arriving at the JFK Airport in New York for the start of his five-city press tour to hype his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight fight with Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao stressed eight weeks of training is just enough for him, as proven by his big wins over former world champions David Diaz, the great Oscar De La Hoya and most recently, Ricky Hatton.

The Filipino ring icon also said weight would not be a problem this time as he currently tips in at 150 pounds, just five pounds over the catch weight of 145.

Upon arrival from the long 18-hour trip, Pacquiao checked in at Loews Regency in Park Avenue along with training assistant Roger Fernandez and advisers Mike Koncz and Franklin Gacal.

Cotto arrived in the fabulous US state hours later from Puerto Rico.

Although he’s been in training camp already for about a month, the WBO champion said they’re not into doing heavy stuffs yet.

The training, according to Cotto, was more on doing morning runs and some conditioning exercises, although he already sparred for at least three times.

“I just want the space for the hard weeks ahead. I don’t train the full week. And I just sparred like three times in those four weeks," Cotto said, admitting he’s about 161 pounds at this time.

He's not concerned too on Pacquiao's relatively late training regimen.

"It's not a matter for me but a matter for him (Pacquiao) if he doesn't train early. You know what kind of things you should do to be in shape," he said.

The press tour begins with a press conference at the Yankee Stadium Thursday (Friday in Manila), after which, the two fighters will have a photo shoot for the fight posters and commercials.

By Friday, the group heads for Puerto Rico, then flies to Atlanta the following day, San Francisco, and finally Los Angeles.

In L.A., both boxers will undergo medical at the Beverly Hotel before capping the tour with another presscon.

Pacquiao will stay in the Bay Area until Tuesday as he will do the ceremonial pitch for the Padres-Cardinals game at the Petco Park in San Diego.

He is expected to be back in the country Thursday to start his training. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/172042/pacquiao-not-bothered-by-cottos-training-headstart

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The Key to Victory: Cotto Needs to Rough Pacquiao Up

By Manuel Perez: If Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s) wants to beat Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’s) on November 14th, he’s going to have to make a point to rough Pacquiao up early and often and make it tough for the smaller fighter. Pacquiao will come in at pretty much the same weight as Cotto at the weigh-in, but by the time the fight takes place, you can expect that Cotto will have a 10 to 15 pound weight advantage over Pacquiao.

That extra weight can be a key asset for Cotto, because he’ll be able to use his extra size to toss the little Pacquiao around the ring in close, and shove him off balance so that Cotto can get an extra shot in here and there. It may sound like dirty business, but so what?

It’s boxing and the whole sport is filled with fighters trying to get over on each other in some way or another, whether it is fights being held at catch weights or fighters trying to wrestle on the inside. The point is Cotto needs to take advantage of his own assets in this fight.

Pacquiao will have the advantage of the catch weight, which will probably leave Cotto weaker than he usually is. Besides that, Pacquiao will also have the advantage in hand speed and mobility. But what Cotto has in the experience of having faced bigger punchers than Pacquiao and will likely be able to take Pacquiao’s shots without being hurt by them.

This should allow Cotto to take more chances than a smaller fighter like Ricky Hatton or a badly weight drained one such as Oscar De La Hoya. So for Cotto to take full advantage of all the things that he has going for him, he needs to use his size by being rough as he can to show the smaller Pacquiao what happens when he fights a bigger fighter that’s not old and weight drained like De La Hoya.

Perhaps Cotto might want to throw some elbows, low blows and perhaps a nice head butt to get Pacquiao’s attention and make him cautious about wanting to stray to close with his wild charges. I would never want Cotto do something like this, but if he did, I guess I wouldn’t mind very much.

People are best at remembering things when there’s pain involved. That’s a fact of life. Unless you straighten someone out when they’re doing something wrong, the action tends to continue. This is why Cotto needs to teach Pacquiao that he can’t come rushing him like he does against his lesser opposition.

When Pacquiao gets in close, maybe give him a tap below decks to get his attention and make him think twice about coming in like a wild man. Once Pacquiao has a few reminders of what happens when he comes in aggressively, he’ll likely be on his best behavior and be like school child ready to take instructions from Cotto.

From there, Cotto can easily manage Pacquiao by beating him down with his jab and right hand. Cotto should be able to keep the shorter Pacquiao at the end of his jab without getting hit because Pacquiao’s reach is short and limited.

Once Pacquiao gets in close, that’s where Cotto needs to make him pay by turning it physical and putting Pacquiao off his game. It won’t be hard because Pacquiao won’t have the size or the experience against a similarly talented fighter. Pacquiao has built up his reputation as of late by beating Hatton and De La Hoya, and I see both wins as totally overrated and without value.

Source: http://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/09/the-keys-to-victory-cotto-needs-to-rough-pacquiao-up/

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Pacquiao wants Edinburgh boxer

As Manny Pacquiao begins preparations for his next fight against Miguel Cotto, the Filipino has requested Edinburgh southpaw Gary McMillan as a sparring partner.

Pacquiao, a five-weight world champion, thinks highly of McMillan after sparring with him in the run up to his lightweight clash with David Diaz last year and has requested that McMillan return to aid him against Cotto.

McMillan will soon travel out to Freddie Roach’s Wildcard gym in Los Angeles where Pacquiao refines his trade.

The Lochend boxer’s coach Terry McCormack has a strong relationship with Roach.

“This invitation doesn’t surprise,” McCormack told Scotsman.com.

“Freddie rates Gary very highly. Besides, Manny wants McMillan because his next opponent, Miguel Cotto, is famous for being a switch hitter who moves from orthodox to southpaw.”

It has been reported that Pacquiao may only be able to train in the US for a limited period before his fight with Cotto due to a tax revenue law for non-nationals.

It is believed that the Filipino only has a month remaining before he will have to pay tax on his earnings which could cost the boxing superstar millions of dollars.

As a result, Pacquiao and his team may begin preparations outside the US, with Canada, Mexico and the Philippines being suggested.

Source: http://sport.stv.tv/boxing/118911-pacquiao-wants-edinburgh-boxer/


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Godfather Arum's latest hit: Tim Bradley under tent for Manny Pacquiao

Bob Arum will be an octogenarian soon but he is tireless when it comes to lining cannon fodder for his ultimate cash cow Manny Pacquiao.

Now the Top Rank Top Dog has used his sleight of hand to set everything up to bring undefeated WBO 140 pound world champion Tim “Desert Storm” Bradley into his promotional tent and thus set the completely overrated Californian up as a viable opponent for the Pinoy Idol.

Wednesday’s news flash was that Bradley, whose TKO victory over Nate Campbell properly became a no contest after a ruling by the California commission, has suddenly signed a managerial contract with Arum’s personal puppet, manager Cameron Dunkin.

I don’t know if he still does but Dunkin Donuts, a portly lad, used to take his office phone calls and make his calls at the Top Rank Tower in the Howard Hughes complex in Las Vegas.

Dunkin, whose personality ranges from glum to morose, does not even speak to TR matchmaker Bruce Trampler and vice versa. The two have a long term vendetta going on.

But why should Godfather Bob care about that when “Southland” Trampler is on his payroll and Dunkin does his bidding. Dunkin only takes fighters to outside promoters when Uncle Bob gives him a free pass.

Look, Bradley has a promotional deal with Big Gary Shaw. These guys really hate each other so it’s a matter of minutes before Dunkin tries to escapes the grip of Shaw and his slavish network, Shawtime.

Some people call that network Showtime.

Bradley dumps Shaw, Bradley dumps Ken Hershman and Shawtime. The tea leaves are easy to read.

If Floyd Mayweather does not dummy up, after Cotto-Pacman, you will see Bradley-Pacman.

Bradley couldn’t hit Megammany in the ass with a bag of brown rice.

The real Godfather is Marsa Bob Arum, no doubt.

Dunkin is his magnificent marionette.

Exit Big Gary Shaw, stage left.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d26-Godfather-Arums-latest-hit-Tim-Bradley-under-tent-for-Manny-Pacquiao

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Ex-Pacman rival picks Pacquiao over Cotto

CHICAGO - Former world lightweight champion David Diaz has become a firm believer in Manny Pacquiao ever since the Filipino ring icon took away his 135-lb belt via a ninth-round TKO last year.

And now that “Pac Man" is proceeding with his plans to conquer the heavier weights, particularly the welterweight division in his upcoming “Firepower" duel with tough Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Diaz sees yet another Pacquiao triumph.

“Manny is beating the best of the best," Diaz said during a recent press conference in Chicago, admiring how Pacquiao dismantled two marquee rivals after him, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. "He’s doing unbelievable things, He is awesome. My hat’s off to him, a great fighter, a great person."

But the 33-year-old Diaz said it won’t be totally a walk-in-the-park for the 30-year-old Pacquiao given Cotto’s “patience."

“(In the end,) Manny will outbox him (Cotto) and beat him in the later rounds. (There’s going be) no KOs (though)," he predicted.

Diaz is making a comeback after a year off following his loss to Pacquiao. On Sept. 26, Diaz is battling two-time world champion Jesus “El matador" Chavez of Mexico in the “Warriors Collide/Windy City Fight Night 6" card set at the UIC Pavilion in his native Chicago.

While Diaz (34-2-1) can predict the outcome of the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown, he declined to make a projection on his duel with Chavez (44-5-0), who previously held the WBC super featherweight and IBF lightweight belts. – Joseph G. Lariosa, GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/170557/ex-pacman-rival-picks-pacquiao-over-cotto

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Papa Mayweather: Miguel Cotto can knock Manny Pacquiao's ass out

Floyd Mayweather Senior’s wrinkled face is a map of hard living.

There are as many nooks, nicks, crannies and crevices on his face that you might think you’re looking at a lunar map.

For a guy whose middle name is Joy, there’s been plenty of pain and anguish, some of it self-inflicted, in his years.

He’s 56 now and, on Saturday he buried his estranged father, Theartha (age 81).

His own ring career was sabotaged by a prison stint for slinging drugs. They say he was once shot at while holding his son, future world champion and boxing supernova Floyd Joy, in his arms.

I don’t know if there is a right side of the tracks in gritty Grand Rapids, Mich., but Mayweather, whose father took a hike when he was only 15, was to the ghetto born.

I don’t claim to be a close friend of his. I’m certainly no associate or confidante of the poetry spouting, Mountain Dew swilling trainer.

But I have been in his presence enough to know he’s not the Heckle & Jeckel cartoon character he portrays on the HBO 24/7 minstrel shows.

Mayweather Sr. is a real man and he knows boxing, the mechanics of the sport, inside and out. If he knew cars the way he knows fighters, he would working on Porsches and Mercedes Benz vehicle and not some gas guzzling clunkers.

I was surprised that Papa M was willing to discuss boxing, seemingly a more mundane topic than ever as he prepared for his father’s wake on Friday in Michigan. But he was and this is part of what he had to say.

On the cold public reaction to Marquez-Mayweather: “Some fights catch on as they get closer to happening. That may be the case here, that the excitement will build as the fight gets closer.”

On his brother Roger’s criminal law problems: “I stay out of it because that is his business. He’s the one that’s got to deal with it, not me. I will say this, though…if he doesn’t learn and learn real fast, it’s going to end in something that’s not so nice.”

On Li’l Floyd showing ring rust Sept. 19: “Every fighter has some ring rust after a layoff. But he will win this fight with Marquez. Marquez is a good, tough fighter but my son is too slick for him.Marquez’s hands will be just too slow. Marquez won’t be able to counter punch Floyd the way he did Pacquiao and others. It’s going to be a big difference in timing. Marquez might think fast but can he get off fast? Floyd won’t let him do that. My son's feet, his hands and his brain are too fast."

On dealing with a lung disease: “It makes you short of breath but I feel good know. I’m going back to Vegas on Tuesday. I want to keep trying to help my son get ready for Marquez.”

On the Pacman-Cotto fight coming Nov. 14: “I think Pacquiao is too much for Cotto right now but my thing is if Cotto can hit hard to the body and to the head, he can knock Pacquiao out. Cotto knock his ass out! If he don’t land those shots, he is not gonna win against Pacquiao.”

Maybe this is an appreciation of Floyd Senior. Come to think of it, it is.

Deal with it because, when it comes to boxing and the hard knocks of life, this man is an expert.

He never went to college but he is loaded with common sense.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d23-Papa-Mayweather-Miguel-Cotto-can-knock-Manny-Pacquiaos-ass-out

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Pacquiao to lose by KO to Cotto, says ex-champ

Amidst the snowballing prediction of a Manny Pacquiao win over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, there’s a single voice bold enough to go against the current tide.

Former world champion Paul Malignaggi is betting his money on a Cotto victory over Pacquiao three months before the blockbuster bout is held.

As early as last June when a meeting between Cotto and Pacquiao was still unthinkable, Malignaggi already picked the tough Puerto Rican to walk past the Filipino ring superstar considered today as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Now that the face-off has become a reality, the 28-year old American from Brooklyn, New York stands by his earlier choice.

“I still stand by what I said," Malignaggi said in an interview with BoxingScene a day before he takes on former three-time world champion Juan Diaz in a 12-round bout at the Toyota Center in Houston.

“I think Cotto would knock him (Pacquiao) out…..Wait until everyone gets their reality check on November 14."

Although facing a natural welterweight in Cotto for the first time, the 30-year old General Santos City native has been initially installed as a 2-1 favorite to win the bout, owing to his status as the most feared fighter in the world today and to the string of victories he had scored in the last few years that saw him annihilate the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, David Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez.

But none of that would make Malignaggi change his mind and switch loyalty to Pacquiao.

For him, Cotto is just too strong for Pacquiao to topple.

“The guy hits like a beast," said the one-time International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight king.

Malignaggi is an authority when it comes to Cotto.

Both undefeated back then, the two clashed for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight belt in 2006 at the famed Madison Square Garden, with Malignaggi suffering a 12-round decision loss to Cotto, who sent the New York native to the canvass in the second round.

At the end of the fight, Malignaggi had a broken right cheek bone, a bleeding nose and a cut around the left eye caused by a headbutt.

He admitted that the 28-year old Cotto is so far, the best fighter he ever faced in his career.

Malignaggi saw Cotto at his best again as he was at ringside when the Puerto Rican eked out a split decision win against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey to retain his WBO welterweight belt two months ago at the Garden.

“I’ve said it that Clottey would be a tougher fight for Cotto than Pacquiao," he pointed out.

“I think if they even put Pacquiao in the ring with Clottey, Clottey would knock him out also." – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/170467/pacquiao-to-lose-by-ko-to-cotto-says-ex-champ

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Early odds: Pacquiao 2-1 favorite over Cotto

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Manny Pacquiao is at least a 2-1 favorite to win over world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto with less than three months left to their Nov. 14 megafight, according to Las Vegas and other international online oddsmakers.

Based on early betting lines, Bodog Sportsbook lists Pacquiao a minus 265 favorite, which means one needs to bet $265 to win $100. Conversely, a $100 bet on Cotto wins a little more than double at $205.

Early odds offered by Book­maker.com are slightly better for Pacquiao fans. A $245 investment on Pacquiao wins $100, while a $100 wager on Cotto nets $195.

The odds in favor of Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound king, are almost the same in UK online betting sites. Bookmakers Skybet, PaddyPower and ToteSport listed Pacquiao a 2-1 favorite.

The odds could change as the fight gets closer, but the betting odds usually get stiffer for those betting on the favored fighter, in this case Pacquiao.

For instance, the betting lines started at minus 180 soon after the fight was announced, meaning betting that amount of dollars wins $100. As of August 20, the odds have changed to minus 190, which means a $190 bet on the Filipino icon nets $100.

As underdog, a $100 wager on Cotto wins $220 when betting lines opened at MGM Grand; now, a $100 bet on the Puerto Rican World Boxing Organization welterweight champ fetches $240.

However, Pacquiao cautions betting persons not to put too much attention on the odds, stressing that when two conditioned fighters square off in the ring anything can happen.

Speaking of conditioning, Cotto started training early for this fight, reporting to the Abner “Pin” Cotto Gym in Aguas Buenas in the first week of August.

“It’s never too early to start training, especially when fighting a boxer with Pacquiao’s caliber,” reported Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora.

Cotto’s Chief trainer Joe Santiago said Cotto will start with a thrice weekly training regimen, gradually building that up to optimize results

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is trying to finish commitments in the Philip­pines, mostly filming his television series “Totoy Bato” and a comedy movie with Philippine Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco, basketball star Benjie Paras and comedian Long Mejia.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said he wants his prized boxer to spend at least eight weeks in trai­ning camp, which he expects to start after completing the fight’s promotional tour.

As suggested by his trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao may start his training in Baguio City.

Despite his many non-boxing commitments, Pacquiao stressed that he is not taking Cotto lightly. Pacquiao said he considers Cotto his toughest fight.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/aug/22/yehey/sports/20090822spo1.html

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Floyd says Marquez beat Pacquiao twice

MANILA -- Former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. claims Juan Manuel Marquez is the better fighter compared to Manny Pacquiao, which is why he picked to fight the Mexican champion.

“Marquez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He was knocked down three times [by Pacquiao] and still got a draw. We all know who won there. I thought Marquez won the second time,” Mayweather said in a report by Boxing Scene.com.

Mayweather, who is due to face Marquez on September 19, said the Mexican’s ring prowess has prompted him to train hard for the fight.

“I picked the guy who won, not the guy who lost. That tells me to take this fight seriously and to train hard," he said.

Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004. The Filipino knocked down the Mexican champion thrice in the first round but Marquez fought back to even out the fight.

The two again faced each other four years later where Pacquiao secured a split decision. The Filipino scored a knock down against Marquez in the third round and this gave Pacquiao the victory.

Mayweather, meanwhile, is returning from a near two-year retirement. He will be facing Marquez at a catch weight of 144 pounds.

"I didn't want an easy opponent for my return and that's why I accepted the fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez is a great Mexican fighter and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing," said the former pound-for-pound king.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/20/09/floyd-says-marquez-beat-pacquiao-twice

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Pacquiao in no hurry to open camp for Cotto

His rival, Miguel Cotto, has started training for their Nov. 14 showdown but Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is in no hurry to commence his.

The Pacman counts 85 more days before “Firepower," his much-awaited tussle with WBO welterweight champion Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which he said, will still provide ample time for his training camp.

“Don't worry, we have plenty of time (to train)... Everything is under control," Pacquiao wrote Thursday in his Kumbinasyon column for Abante and PhilBoxing.com.

At the moment, Pacquiao spends his time with his other passion – acting. The 30-year-old Pacquiao is shooting his movie project, Wapakman, and upcoming sitcom for GMA Network, Show Me The Manny with co-star Marian Rivera.

The reigning pound-for-pound king said he’s enjoying his showbiz forays, which he noted could be more taxing than fighting in the ring.

“Marami pa namang oras ang nakalaan sa pag-train para sa isa sa pinakamahirap na laban ng aking career at sa ngayon ay masaya ako at nalilibang sa aking mga proyekto kahit na minsan ay talaga ring nakakapagod," he said.

“Minsan nga, parang mas madali ang pagboboksing dahil ito ang aking nakasanayan at talaga namang mahal ko ang sport na ito," he added.

Manny Pacquiao as he trains for his showdown with Ricky Hatton last May. AP
While Pacquiao goes about his non-boxing activities, Cotto returned to the gym early August and announced that he would start full-time training for the Pacquiao fight on Aug. 24, according to BoxingScene.com.

Pacquiao plans to hit the gym by September yet but as always, he is expected to sink his teeth into getting into tip-top shape against Cotto, whom he considered a tough opponent.

The pride of General Santos City and Sarangani added that reports of “monstrous tickets sales" for “Firepower" had give him extra motivation to report for training soon. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/170261/Pacquiao-in-no-hurry-to-open-camp-for-Cotto

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Manny Pacquiao: The True Cash King of Boxing

In just two days, tickets for the anticipated welterweight championship battle between the current pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao and the Boricua Bomber Miguel Angel Cotto, billed as Fire Power, almost sold out; this is not so surprising because Cotto and Pacquiao are two of the best pugilists of the sports today.

Now there is another welterweight fight brewing prior to the Pacquiao-Cotto clash: the Number One/Numero Uno, which features the former pound for pound king Floyd "Money" Mayweather against the current WBA/WBO Lightweight champion Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez. This scrimmage was originally scheduled on July 18, but it was almost scrapped due to Mayweather's unforeseen rib injury suffered during training. Despite the brief delay, the bout will now push through and it is now scheduled to air on HBO pay-per-view on Sep. 19, in conjunction with the independence day of Mexico. Still... the ticket sales are meager and slow.

Meanwhile the Fire Power match-up of Cotto and Pacquiao does not rely on undercards to sell. It is already perceived and recognized as an important and momentous saga in the history of boxing by most sports pundits even without the supporting bouts. This vintage skirmish is no doubt a best-seller: a novel so engaging that sports fans and HBO subscribers will never miss it even if it costs a fortune.

Floyd Mayweather constantly claims that he is the money-maker: the cash king of the Sweet Science, but figures and results do not lie--both facets point to the real cash king, the true money-maker, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. With his historic battle against Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao aims to solidify his legacy even further by capturing his seventh title in seven different divisions; a feat that has not been achieved by any pugilist: not the great Muhammad Ali, not the flashy Sugar Ray Leonard, not the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson, and definitely not the overhyped Money Mayweather.

So who is the certified cash King of boxing? It's none other than the pound for pound best and the new Golden Boy Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-26572.html

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Report: Cotto finally stakes WBO belt vs Pacquiao

MANILA -- The contract for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto match up has finally been signed with the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Organization belt at stake.

According to Philstar.com, Cotto has agreed to fight at 145 pounds with his title on the line on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao's legal counsel Jeng Gacal said the revenue cut will be at 65-35 with the lion’s share going to the Filipino superstar.

With the WBO title at stake, Pacquiao now has the chance to become the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in as many divisions.

Pacquiao had previously won the WBC flyweight, IBF super bantamweight, WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBO junior welterweight crowns.

He also won the lineal junior welterweight title during his last fight against Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said training for the Cotto fight will begin in September.
He said that he has already watched some of Cotto’s bouts.

“I have been concentrating on how well he did against Shane Mosley. How he neutralized Shane’s speed,” he said. “Yes, we will have a great game plan for Cotto.”

One factor he considered about Cotto is the Puerto Rican's punching power.

“Of course Cotto’s power is a major concern for me but I really think that we will have no problems,” said Roach. “I’m training Manny not to get hit.”
as of 08/13/2009 9:19 PM

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/13/09/report-cotto-finally-stakes-wbo-belt-vs-pacquiao

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24 things you want to know about Pacman

Twenty-four days. That was all it took for Jinkee Pacquiao to lose 13 lbs. (she overshot her goal by three lbs. since she only wanted to take off 10). Of course, that was with the help of the Belo Diet Injections. Jinkee’s weight problems started when she got pregnant with daughter Princess. After her delivery, she decided to seek the help of Dr. Vicki Belo who made her undergo smart-lipo, a safe procedure that got rid of the unwanted fat she gained during the pregnancy.

While Jinkee was more than happy with the results of the smart-lipo done to her at the Belo Medical Center, she got pregnant again (practically in close succession) with Queen Elizabeth. Fortunately, her weight problem was not as bad — thanks to the smart-lipo that eliminated most of her fat cells where the fats usually grow. However, having undergone pregnancy, she still had some excess fat to remove, especially since she wanted to look good and shapely when she sits in the front row during her husband Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Ricky Hatton. Both Jinkee and Manny were winners that time. Manny put Hatton to sleep — although not so gently — while Jinkee looked fabulous as the champ’s wife.

Jinkee credits her weight loss to the Belo Diet Injections, which was administered to her daily. In the beginning, Jinkee made daily trips to the Belo Medical Center for the injections and where her diet was also supervised (no breakfast — only chicken breast and medium-sized steak for lunch and dinner). However, when she had to leave for the United States to join Manny during the preparations for the fight, Jinkee merely asked a West Coast-based friend who knew how to do injections to administer the daily doses to her (that is how simple the procedure is).

Jinkee has maintained her curvy figure and credits those 24 days of Belo Diet Injections with the Belo Medical Group for the success. She admits that she tries to look good for Manny — not only to please him, but also because “If your husband is popular, you also have to look your best so that he will be proud of you.”

In connection with those 24 days (“those were easy,” says Jinkee who didn’t even have to exercise), I decided to ask her to reveal some 24 things the public probably didn’t know about Manny. Here they are below — courtesy of the one person who knows him best, his wife Jinkee:

1) Manny’s first gift to Jinkee was a heart-shaped gold necklace. No, it didn’t have diamonds since Manny was not yet the rich and successful boxing champ he is now that time.

2) He is scared of cockroaches and this boxing legend who is never frightened of his opponents on the ring jumps all over the place at the sight of this insect.

3) He is the resident comic in the house. “Even if I am angry, he can make me laugh,” says Jinkee.

4) He gets angry when Jinkee comes home late — especially when he gets home ahead of her.

5) He gets jealous when Jinkee prettifies herself. “He checks on me regularly and tries to find out who is with me when I go out. Little does he know that if ever I go out with men — mga bading ‘yun.”

6) Manny gets sad when he and Jinkee get into a fight and she wouldn’t get appeased.

7) His favorite dish that she prepares for him is tinolang manok with plenty of malunggay — and kare-kare, too.

8) Manny eats anything sent to him by his mother, Dionisia.

9) His favorite color is blue.

10) His favorite shirt is a blue Banana Republic.

11) The longest time he spends in the bathroom is 20 minutes.

12) He sleeps in boxer shorts.

13) He sprays cologne before he sleeps.

14) He sleeps on his back — with Jinkee resting on his shoulder.

15) He never spanks his kids. He only talks to them to discipline them. When the children get picky in the dining table, he tells them that they should be grateful that they have food on the table, while other kids starve.

16) When he and Jinkee get into an argument, he only keeps quiet, while she is the one who keeps talking.

17) His idea of relaxation is staying at home and doing videoke. He also plays billiards.

18) He got upset when Jinkee first went to Belo for treatments. What for? He wanted to find out. Jinkee carefully explained to him the procedures and when he found out everything was safe, he gave his blessings and it’s no longer an issue with him today. He even appreciates Belo now for everything the center is doing to his wife and has agreed to pose with her for the Belo billboards.

19) He prays before he sleeps and upon waking up.

20) Manny may love his mother like any loving son would, but he is more scared of Jinkee than his mother.

21) With his power, influence and wealth, he knows when people are sucking up to him.

22) He doesn’t have to warn her about the people buttering them up — she knows (Jinkee is actually very bright and sensible).

23) He passes on people who want to do business with him — or need anything from him — to her.

24) He finds Jinkee sexier now, especially after her Belo treatments.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=495493&publicationSubCategoryId=70

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Roach battleplan: Keep Pacquiao out of Cotto's reach

MANILA, Philippines - How to keep Manny Pacquiao away from Miguel Cotto’s heavy hands is the main concern of the Filipino boxer’s trainer, Freddie Roach.

It’s not that Pacquiao doesn’t have the chin, but the three-time Trainer of the Year, is just making sure that the unexpected doesn’t happen when the two fighters collide on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

“Manny has a really good chin because he has a big heart. Of course Cotto’s power is a major concern for me but I really think that we will have no problems. I’m training Manny not to get hit,” he said.

In a recent interview with doghouseboxing.com, Roach said it was Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound champion, who decided to take on Cotto, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, and not Shane Mosley or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao must have seen something from ringside when Cotto faced Josh Clottey a few months ago.

“Manny has always wanted to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Mayweather fight got delayed because of injury and Manny needed a fight around year’s end. After watching the fight Manny told (Bob) Arum that he could beat Cotto,” said Roach.

And now that the fight contract has been sealed, signed and delivered, Roach said the battleplan is in the making.

“Of course. I have already watched several hours of Cotto’s fights. I have been concentrating on how well he did against Shane Mosley. How he neutralized Shane’s speed. Yes, we will have a great game plan for Cotto,” said Roach.

Training for Pacquiao should begin by the second week of September, and based on early plans, the first week will take him to Baguio City, a great summer destination 250 kms north of Manila, and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Then the next four or five weeks will take Pacquiao to Mexico, in the resort town of Nuevo Vallarta, while the final push, probably the last two weeks, will see the FIlipino icon training in Los Angeles or straight to Las Vegas.

Roach explained that Pacquiao can no longer train the whole eight to 10 weeks in the US.

“Because of immigration laws he must spend five weeks training outside America. The laws say we can spend 183 days (yearly) in America and that means the last three weeks of training will be here at the WildCard,” Roach told David Tyler of doghouseboxing.com.

Michael Koncz, a Pacquiao adviser, said the boxer likes the idea of training in Mexico where he can give his fans more time to know him more, and how Mexican fight fans love him.

“He’d be very happy to do that as a cross-over star. Mexican fans love Manny. And when I was there recently all they asked me about is where’s Manny. There was a rumor two weeks ago he was in Nuevo Vallarta, but it didn’t push through and everybody I ran into asked about him.

“Manny will be happily surprised when we get to Mexico. He’d be surprised about his popularity there,” Koncz added.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=495260&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Arum: Pacquiao-Cotto contract to be inked Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines -- Top Rank head Bob Arum said he has crossed the t’s and dotted the i's for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown, adding that he is expecting signed contracts from both camps by Tuesday, Aug. 11 (Wednesday, Aug. 12 in Manila).

Speaking to Michael Marley of examiner.com, the ageless promoter said the fight would be held at a catch weight of 145 pounds, and with Cotto’s WBO welterweight title on the line.

"Everything has been decided and agreed to," Arum told Marley. "Cotto is defending the title and the weight limit (will) be 145 pounds."

Earlier reports said Cotto was not keen on putting his welterweight strap on the line, mainly because the Puerto Rican did not want to pay the sanctioning fee required by the WBO.

Cotto also reportedly insisted on a 147-lb weight limit.

"There are no (more) disagreements or problems. Now, everything is cleared up," Arum added.

This development opens up a rare opportunity for Pacquiao to become the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in as many divisions -- having previously wrested the WBC flyweight, IBF super bantamweight, Ring Magazine featherweight, WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBO junior welterweight crowns.

Arum added that tickets for the Pacquiao-Cotto bout will be available for sale on Aug. 17.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=494775&publicationSubCategoryId=200

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If Pacquiao decides to train in RP, Roach wants Baguio

If Manny Pacquiao decides to spend the first half of training camp in the Philippines, trainer Freddie Roach said Saturday he doesn’t have a choice but follow what the big boss wants.

But Roach said he would like to make a simple request.

“If we train in the Philippines, I’d tell Manny to train in Baguio,” Roach told the Bulletin. “Not in Cebu. I heard the weather is fine up there (in Baguio) and there’d be less distractions (compared to Cebu or elsewhere).”

“Realistically speaking, I’d like to train (Pacquiao) outside the Philippines but…” said Roach, aware that Pacquiao has the final say on the matter.

With a little three months to go before Pacquiao faces Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Roach is getting antsy as he has yet to get a call either from Pacquiao’s camp or Top Rank informing him of the latest developments.

“I have not heard from them,” said Roach, when asked about the other pertinent details of the Pacquiao-Cotto slugfest.

Pacquiao is being advised to train outside the US for the first four weeks to avoid shelling out millions in taxes.

Top Rank head Bob Arum is offering Pacquiao to train in utmost seclusion in the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas courtesy of a dear friend, while Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal is training his sights on Vancouver, Canada.

Others being considered are Mexico and the Philippines with Manila and Cebu being mentioned as possible sites aside from Baguio.

While Roach is in the dark, the multi-awarded cornerman has already made a big step as far as the start of training camp is concerned.

“I have already contacted four guys who will be Manny’s sparring partners,” Roach, rattling the names of Raymond Serrano and Urbano Antillon as the two of the four he wants to see in training camp.

Serrano and Antillon helped Pacquiao in the buildup to the Ricky Hatton fight last May.

Meanwhile, World Boxing Council (WBC) president Jose Sulaiman said the WBC will not hesitate to sanction the Pacquiao-Cotto bout as a world title fight once Arum makes a request to the governing body.

“The WBC would absolutely authorize and approve it,” said Sulaiman, who recently revealed that a new belt, the WBC Diamond Belt, has been approved by the Board of Governors for the benefit of some of boxing’s most elite fighters like Pacquiao.

There is still trouble brewing over Cotto’s insistence that his fight with Pacquiao will just be a non-title fight and that his World Boxing Organization throne won’t be on the line as agreed upon earlier by the two camps and Top Rank as well.

Sulaiman said the WBC is more than willing to fill the void.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215005/if-pacquiao-decides-train-rp-roach-wants-baguio

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Manny Steward Says 'Miguel Cotto lo noqueará'

... Or, in English, “Miguel Cotto will knock him out.”

He’s referring, of course, to Manny Pacquiao, who Cotto is scheduled to fight on November 14. Steward, a Hall-of-Fame trainer who is best known for training Tommy Hearns and Lennox Lewis, is aggressively angling for the job of training Cotto for the Pacquiao fight. Yesterday, in an interview with the Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora, he stated flatly that if Cotto retains his services, there is no doubt in his mind that Cotto will knock Pacquiao out.

Of course, Steward wouldn’t be so publicly clamoring for the Cotto gig were it not for the fact that Cotto recently had an explosive split with his long-time trainer (and full-time uncle) Evangelista Cotto. Tensions that simmered between the two for years finally boiled over this past April, leading to a fistfight that started in a Puerto Rican gym and eventually made its way out to the parking lot, reputedly concluding with Evangelista hurling a cinder block through the windshield of his fighter-nephew’s Jaguar.

Since that incident, Cotto fired his uncle and promoted his nutritionist, Jose Santiago, to be his head trainer, a move that left many in the boxing world scratching their heads. Cotto is known to be very loyal to his circle, but how long can he expect to compete at the elite level without an elite trainer?

Manny Steward is about as elite as they get, and he clearly thinks the time is now for Cotto to step up to the A-list as far as his training goes. He told Primera Hora that he’s a big admirer of Cotto and that he believes there are many ways that he can improve the fighter. Should Cotto take him up on the offer, it definitely would raise the octane level of what is already shaping up to be the biggest and possibly best fight of the year. Not only would there be two superstar fighters in the ring, but each would have a superstar trainer in his corner. And just as Freddie Roach vs. Floyd Mayweather Sr. stole some headlines from the Pacquiao/Hatton fight, no doubt Freddie Roach vs. Manny Steward would become a major storyline for Pacquiao/Cotto.

Source: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/29430/manny_steward_says_miguel_cotto_lo_noquear%C3%A1

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