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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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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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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Roach: Pacquiao-Cotto gig will be a title fight

Miguel Cotto wouldn’t want to stake his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight (147-lbs) belt against Manny Pacquiao in their November 14 showdown in Las Vegas.

But Pacquaio’s trainer Freddie Roach expressed belief the Cotto’s strap would eventually be placed on the line in the fight set at a catchweight of 145-lbs – whether the Puerto Rican fighter likes it or not.

“If (Cotto) gives it (welterweight crown) up, I think the WBO will make Manny the number one. We'll pay the sanctioning fee and the title will be on the line. That's what I think will happen," Roach said Sunday in an interview with BoxingScene.Com.

Cotto had publicly expressed his refusal to defend his title against the Filipino ring icon, saying the 145-lb catchweight is “not a category" and that if Pacquiao wanted a title fight, it had to be at the welterweight limit of 147-lbs. He even said he’s willing to give up the strap if the WBO would insist on making it a title fight.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel himself said it could still be a WBO-sanctioned welterweight title fight, citing a similar precedent, the Oscar De La Hoya-Bernard Hopkins duel for the middleweight (160-lb) crown which was fought at 158-lbs.

Pacquiao, realizing the opportunity to win an unprecedented world title in seven divisions, had instructed his lawyer, Jeng Gacal, to coordinate with Valcarcel and promoter Bob Arum to make the necessary arrangements, including payment of the $150,000 sanction fee.

“I haven't spoken to Manny (about it) but if it was me, I would ask for the title to be on the line. I think regardless of what Cotto says, the title will be on the line," Roach said in the BoxingScene interview.

“I want it for Manny's legacy. Manny won titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, and 140. I want to see him become the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven weight divisions," he added.

Pacquiao, the current International Boxing Organization and Ring Magazine light-welterweight champion, had previously owned titles at flyweight (World Boxing Council), super-bantamweight (International Boxing Federation), featherweight (Ring Magazine), super-featherweight (WBC), and lightweight (WBC). – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168844/Roach-Pacquiao-Cotto-gig-will-be-a-title-fight


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Pacquiao may train in Canada

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is luring Manny Pacquiao to the Bahamas for the first half of his training camp for the November 14 duel with Miguel Cotto but the Filipino fighter might end up going to Canada, Mexico — or even the Philippines.

Owing to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation called the Substantial Presence Test, defined as a calculation that determines the resident or nonresident status of a foreign national for tax purposes in the US, Arum said Pacquiao has to spend the first four weeks of training outside US territory and the Bahamas, which is 45 minutes by air from Florida, turned out to be perfect choice.

“Manny’s going to love it there,” Arum said on Wednesday, stressing that a high-ranking executive of the high-end Atlantis Resort in the capital city of Nassau, is more than willing to host Pacquiao and his training team.

“The weather is similar to that of the Philippines and everything there will be first-class,” said Arum, who turned a bit annoyed when told about the possibility of Pacquiao opting to stay in the Philippines.

Arum said he can also train in Mexico but the language barrier might turn Pacquiao off.

“Manny has to be near the US because we will maximize the pay-per-view,” said Arum, noting that “it will all be up to Manny” to decide where to train.

Even chief trainer Freddie Roach is not leaning towards a training camp in the country “because of too many distractions.”

Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal said Vancouver in Canada appears to be a good choice, not only because it is also near the US but because of the large number of Filipinos residing there as well.

Roach wants an eight-week training camp for the Cotto fight and regardless of where Pacquiao spends the first four weeks, they would resume training at the Wild Card in Hollywood a month before the bout.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/213335/pacquiao-may-train-canada

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Pacquiao 2-1 pick in November fight vs Cotto

Odds had installed Filipino Manny Pacquiao as a 2-1 favorite in his scheduled 12-round November 14 face off with Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Now, even the surveys appear leaning on a Pacman win four months from now.

In an online poll conducted by ESPN boxing, at least 54 percent of the 38,011 people who voted see the 12-round fight ending in a knockout victory for the 30-year old General Santos City native.

People surveyed were asked the question ‘How will the Miguel Cotto/Manny Pacquiao match up be decided?’

Pacquiao being unbeaten the last four years and his impressive showing against former world champions David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton may have a lot to do with the high number of votes going for a KO win by the current world top pound-for-pound fighter.

His bout with the 28-year old Cotto also marks just the second time the Pacman is fighting above 140 pounds, the first being his December 6 showdown with De La Hoya which ended in a brutal eight round technical KO win.

In contrast, 21 percent believe Cotto will deliver a KO victory against the Filipino ring icon.


The Puerto Rican, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion, is coming off an unimpressive 12-round split decision victory against Joshua Clottey of Ghana at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Even those who see the fight going the distance, Pacquiao still registered the higher percentage at 16 percent compared to the eight earned by Cotto.

Only one percent voted that the bout will end in a decision. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168468/Pacquiao-2-1-pick-in-November-fight-vs-Cotto


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Roach draws up fight plan

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach is already in the “planning stage” as far as Manny Pacquiao’s coming fight with Miguel Cotto is concerned.

The three-time Trainer of the Year told The Las Vegas Review Journal yesterday that he plans to visit the Philippines next month just to make sure that Pacquiao is on track heading to the big Nov. 14 showdown with the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Roach wants Pacquiao to train from eight to 10 weeks for the Cotto fight, and Day One at the Wild Card Gym should start on the second week of September or just after the press tour that will take the fighters from New York to Puerto Rico.

Even before Pacquiao goes to the US, Roach wants the reigning pound-for-pound champion to start flexing his muscles back home, getting rid of those excess pounds so by the time he reports to the gym they won’t have to start from scratch.

Meanwhile, Roach will start doing his homework in his Los Angeles home. “I know Cotto pretty well. I haven’t really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we’re still in the planning stage,” Roach told the Review Journal.

The fight is pegged at a catchweight of 145 lb, two pounds short of the welterweight limit, and it remains uncertain if the 27-year-old Cotto will stake his title. Reports said WBO wants him to, but others say it just won’t happen.

Bob Arum said Cotto doesn’t want to stake his title because he doesn’t want to pay the sanction fee, whether it’s $150,000 or so much more than that. A lot of people are hoping that Cotto does put the crown on the line.

“I’ll go (to the Philippines) sometime next month and we’ll get started. For this fight, speed is going to be important. I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he’ll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset.”

Pacquiao fought Oscar dela Hoya at 147 lb last December, showing up for the weigh-in at 142 and climbing the ring at 148 1/2. Dela Hoya, who was knocked out inside nine rounds, weighed in at 145 and showed up for the fight at 147.

But Cotto is not Dela Hoya.

“He’s a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger. But I think Manny’s the better boxer, and Manny’s defense is the best it’s been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way,” said Roach.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=490911&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Cotto crown at stake in tiff vs Pacquiao

THE WORLD Boxing Organization welterweight belt will be on the line when Manny Pacquiao tangles with titlist Miguel Angel Cotto on November 14 in Las Vegas.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel made this assurance to Michael Marley of Examiner.com Friday afternoon to assuage fears of Pacquiao fans that Cotto’s crown won’t be staked because the fight, slated at the MGM Grand, is set at a catch weight of 145 pounds and not at the regular limit of 147 pounds.

Valcarcel said he appreciated Pacquiao’s quest for a seventh weight division world title, adding that it would “be ridiculous not to dangle the WBO title” considering that a highly respected champion (Cotto) is fighting the No. 1 contender (Pacquiao).

Officially, Pacquiao has reigned as World Boxing Council super featherweight, flyweight and lightweight champion and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight titlist.

Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound king, currently holds the International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown, snatching it from British icon Ricky Hatton, whom he demolished in two rounds on May 2.

In addition, Pacquiao, who’ll be fighting at over 140 lbs for only the second time in his sterling career, has been recognized as the Ring Magazine’s featherweight, super featherweight and light welterweight champion.

In his initial foray as a welterweight, Pacquiao sent future Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya with an eight-round stoppage last December also at the MGM Grand.

This early, bettors have installed Pacquiao a -215 favorite and Cotto, who’s going below 147 pounds for the first time in nearly three years, a +175 underdog.

This means that a $215 bet on Pacquiao would just net $100 while a $100 wager on Cotto would generate $175.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto, who hails from Puerto Rico, are being promoted by Top Rank’s Bob Arum, assuring the 77-year-old lawyer of a windfall in gate receipts and pay per view buys of the 12-round bout dubbed “Fire Power.”

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/professional/professional/view/20090726-217260/Cotto-crown-at-stake-in-tiff-vs-Pacquiao

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Odds too much in Pacquiao’s favor

Manny Pacquiao has been installed a -215 favorite over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in their November 14 super fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

This means that bettors will have to shell out at least $215 to win $100.

Cotto, in contrast, is the underdog at +175, meaning a $100 wager on him wins $175.

Pacquiao’s reputation as a winner has been growing by leaps and bounds following successive victories, including a sensational second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton last May.

Since making his US debut in June 2001, Pacquiao has rarely been installed the underdog, the exception being his bout with Oscar De La Hoya late last year where the Golden Boy was the favorite.

The Pacquiao-Cotto slugfest is being dubbed ‘Firepower’ owing to the explosive fighting styles of the two combatants, according to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, whose outfit Top Rank is staging the event.

The past two days, reports coming from Puerto Rico suggest that Cotto is not willing to stake his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown and Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal said Cotto doesn’t have a choice but to put it on the line as part of the deal.

Pacquiao and Cotto have agreed to face off at 145 lbs, two lbs under welterweight.

The problem is, while both parties have agreed to fight each other, contracts have yet to be signed and the camps of both sides are expected to encounter a few disagreements along the way.

Cotto lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano told the Bulletin a few days ago that “they have agreed in principle” to fight Pacquiao, while Gacal told the same paper yesterday that Pacquiao hasn’t signed anything yet.

Still, it is expected that Arum will find a way--as always--to iron out the kinks.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/212627/odds-too-much-pacquiao-s-favor

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Pacquiao to get P570-million vs Cotto

While Manny Pacquiao is getting a guarantee of $12 million (about P570 million) against Miguel Cotto in their November 14 super fight – the same amount he got against Ricky Hatton last May when they agree to a 50-50 revenue split – the Filipino stands to earn much more this time considering that he got the lion’s share of the money in the profit-sharing.

Sources within Team Pacquiao say that Pacquiao was granted a 65-35 share and that he stands to collect an extra in case the Puerto Rican fails to make the agreed weight limit of 145 lbs during the official weighin on the eve of the fight.

However, it could not be determined how much Cotto will be assessed assuming he is overweight.

Pacquiao got the bigger percentage owing not only to his status as boxing’s premier fighter but his proven track record in selling pay-per-view and tickets.

Pacquiao’s landmark bout with Oscar De La Hoya last year generated 1.25 million buys that amounted to $70 million.

Against Erik Morales in 2006, a provision in the contract stipulated that Morales pay $1 million for every pound in excess of 130 lbs. As it turned out, Pacquiao did not cash in on that one since Morales – severely dehydrated from the massive weight reduction – made the weight but eventually lost in a devastating manner.

Cotto might not undergo the harrowing experience Morales had years ago since he actually weighed 146 lbs in his last fight last June.

Still, Team Pacquiao is not discounting the possibility that Cotto might have to shed off some excess poundage in the hopes of preventing a massive fine.

Cotto plans to start training in late-August in Puerto Rico before moving to Tampa, Florida.

Pacquiao sets to rekindle his successful partnership with Freddie Roach in the middle of September after attending the three-city press tour that kicks off Sept. 9 in Los Angeles.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/212434/pacquiao-get-p570million-vs-cotto

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Amir Khan To Spar With Manny Pacquiao Ahead Of Cotto Fight, May Appear On Same Card

by James Slater - After his fine victory over Andreas Kotelnik on Saturday, new WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan gave pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao a fair amount of credit for his win. Not only had the 22-year-old sparred with "Pac-Man" ahead of his big fight, Khan was also given much encouragement by the Filipino legend. Now, wanting to make a first defence of his newly acquired world title, Khan may appear on the same card as Pacquiao when Manny fights Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14th. Khan will definitely be sparring with Pacquiao once again, as the southpaw dynamo gets ready for a tough night's work against the Puerto Rican favourite..

In speaking to The Bolton News, trainer of both men Freddie Roach spoke about how he only allows Pacquiao and Khan to spar together for a few rounds.

"[Manny and Amir] will be in there together as it is ideal preparation," Roach said. "They are both so fast it can be a real blur at times. But I only let them go at each other for four rounds. It is intense in there from the start and four rounds is enough."

Khan has always wanted to fight in America, and he very much hopes to make his debut there on the huge Pacquiao-Cotto bill in Vegas. First, though, Freddie has to pick an opponent for his newest world champion. Khan himself says he will fight whoever Frank Warren puts in front of him, but Roach has spoken about a couple of possible challengers.

Read full story: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=20544&more=1

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Pacman vs. Cotto — get ready to lay on something

NOW

With all due respect to UFC 100, I think Big Bout 234,567 -- or whatever number Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand will be assigned in the long annals of blockbuster professional prizefights -- is going to surpass it in interest.

If boxing had more of these fights, there would be less to fear from the UFC.

Pacquiao and Cotto are two of fistic sport's greatest warriors. To paraphrase UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, this is the kind of matchup that would make even casual fight fans want to "lay on" something afterward.

At my house, it'll probably just be the remote control.

Read full story: http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/now-and-then/2009/jul/21/pacman-vs-cotto----get-ready-lay-something/

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