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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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/

Read more!

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/


Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

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

Read more!

How much are you willing to bet on Cotto?

YOU CAN’T BLAME BOB ARUM FOR losing his cool after his sales pitch for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight failed to reach the man at bat.

Last heard of, Mr. Arum was still aching to send his message.

Sorry, but nobody appeared willing to listen a second time after Arum declared, with pontifical certainty, that Pacquiao’s next outing against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto would be hard to call.

Arum said Pacquiao-Cotto is a “pretty even fight.”

* * *

That sales line, served like a tough, tasteless steak, predictably received a cold-shoulder treatment.

No, the fight set at the Las Vegas MGM Grand on Nov. 14, was not totally dumped.

But, in response, oddsmakers readily pegged Pacquiao an overwhelming 2-1 favorite.

Over at the sportsbook windows, that’s double-your-money for those who would dare go for Cotto.

On the other hand, you need to shell out $200 in order to collect a measly $100 dividend in the event of an expected Pacquiao win.

* * *

So what did Arum next resort to?

Poor Uncle Bob, huffing and puffing, proceeded to tinker with the poundage, as though the fight would be decided over the obedient weighing scales, not inside the cruel, exacting ring.

He also allowed himself to be slurred in a tasteless word war with the top man at the WBO.

Although not reminiscent of any past Arum master stroke, that ploy did create enough noise.

Arum also fired another sales salvo, a cute one, and declared “Firepower” as the main label of the welterweight duel.

* * *

But, try hard as he did, Arum’s initial sales pitch continued to be treated like a foul ball.

Meanwhile, the Pacquiao-Cotto bout loomed as another budding mismatch.

For one, they could not present a single Cotto fight video that would show he has got the hardware to effectively slash it out with Pacquiao.

OK, Cotto may indeed have some hidden firepower somewhere inside him.

But there’s nothing whatsoever that say he could effectively defend himself once the firefight starts.

* * *

Of course, the only thing that could save Cotto is great head movement.

The truth is that poor David Diaz, whom Pacquiao flattened with gusto, had shown better head use than the bigger but terribly predictable Cotto.

Well, who knows, there could be some brilliant, invisible moves that Cotto has stocked up on.

But, like it or not, it will be a breathless race once the Pacman ignites and explodes.

Arum stands a chance of scoring a homer, but only if he can assure that he’s not pitting a lumber yard log carrier against a sleek Formula One racer at the MGM Grand on Nov. 14.

Last but not the least, Arum did not have to call on the discredited Floyd Mayweather Sr. to help advertise Cotto’s limited worth.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20090806-218940/How-much-are-you-willing-to-bet-on-Cotto

Read more!

Will Pacquiao’s astonishing rise stop with Miguel Cotto?

Over the last few years Manny Pacquiao’s amazing resume has been skyrocketing like a hot stock. If one were to look at his recent progress on a chart the line would be on an amazing ascent with no sign of a plateau. He has gone from astonishing victories over Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales at featherweight / super featherweight in the middle years of this decade to his recent march up three more weight classes. All the while his power seemingly increases. More recently one-punch knockouts earned him titles at both 135 and 140 pounds against David Diaz and Ricky Hatton respectively. With each bigger man in each bigger weight class Manny Pacquiao’s blossoming greatness has allowed him to overcome what would be tremendous disadvantages for most smaller fighters. As if that weren’t enough, with each awe inspiring feat we witness him accomplish, his next move has exceedingly been to reach for one step higher. The question that begs to be asked is when will too much become too much?

I was in Las Vegas’s Mayweather gym a week ago when I received a text message from a contact of mine letting me know a formal announcement solidifying Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto for Nov. 14 was pending. As I was about to conduct an interview with Roger Mayweather (Uncle and head trainer of Pacquiao’s pound-for-pound rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.) I was quick to get his thoughts on the soon to be announced mega-fight.

“That little dude has some serious balls!” Mayweather exclaimed.

“I honestly don’t think Pacquiao will beat Cotto… but then again I didn’t think he’d beat Oscar or Ricky Hatton,” the ace trainer said in a rare moment of humility.

With his nephew Floyd Jr. set to face Pacquiao’s nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in September, Roger knows the score all too well. A Pacquiao victory over Cotto would almost guarantee an eventual and historic showdown with Mayweather Jr. (should he get by Marquez as is expected).

As much as Roger has written off Pacquiao in the past, his analysis of a Pacquiao vs. Cotto showdown is sound. He mentioned that while Pacquiao has undoubtedly proved to be a much better fighter than he’d originally thought, a welterweight fight against Cotto may be biting off more than the Filipino fighter can chew.

Pacquiao’s demolition of a clearly larger Oscar De la Hoya in December 2008 was a welterweight fight, but it was also a fight that saw ‘The Golden Boy’ deplete himself to a weight he hadn’t seen in nearly a decade. While Pacquiao’s first foray into the welterweight division was a walk in the park, this next fight should prove much more difficult.

Miguel Cotto started his career as a big and strong junior welterweight in 2001. After a well guided run early in his career the Puerto Rican star gave up his junior welterweight title and moved up to welterweight when 140 pounds became too difficult to make. In his very first fight Cotto dealt a brutal beating to natural welterweight Carlos Quintana to quickly capture the WBA 147 pound title.

In the following years Cotto savagely beat up and stopped Zab Judah and out-pointed the prestigious ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley. Both were highly acclaimed former undisputed welterweight champions in their own right.

In July of 2008 Cotto’s undefeated record came to a halt when he met the formidable Antonio Margarito in a welterweight unification fight. The loss has come in to question after Margarito was recently found guilty of loading his gloves in a fight earlier this year against Shane Mosley. It was a fight Margarito was annihilated in, against an opponent Cotto had earlier out boxed.

Despite the circumstances of Cotto’s loss to Margarito coming in to question, the notion of long term effects on Cotto’s nerves and body have surfaced with the severity of the beating he suffered in the fight. Those concerns may have been quieted with Cotto’s gutsy win over Joshua Clottey in his last bout. It was a fight that quite obviously landed him a showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Currently, Pacquiao and Cotto’s recent paths segue into many interesting sub plots ahead of their fall mega fight. As Manny Pacquiao has opened up as a betting favorite over Cotto, it begs to ask if there is indeed substance to Cotto’s long term health after the 2008 loss to Margarito.

It also leaves one to wonder how many more heights can Pacquiao reach before some degree of reality sets in? As was mentioned above, it has been a storybook run that Pacquiao has been on in recent years. As he now sits firmly atop the sport of boxing as the No. 1 fighter in the world, we are left to wonder how many more times can Pacquiao increase the physical size and skillful pedigree of his opponent and still emerge victorious?

In 2006 after Pacquiao became the first fighter to stop Eric Morales at 130 pounds, what would one have thought had an omnipotent voice whispered in their ear that Pacquiao would soon capture a lightweight and light welterweight title by one-punch knockout only to go on to challenge Miguel Cotto for a welterweight world title?

That may have sounded sensational and crazy, yet here we are. In each of his last fights we expected to see Manny Pacquiao challenged by the size and strength of his opponents. Many picked Oscar De La Hoya to stop Pacquiao, and the same rang true before Pacquiao’s challenge against Ricky Hatton. It seemed certain that we would see Pacquiao tested by bigger punches from bigger men, yet in recollection I can’t remember either of those larger fighters even touching Pacquiao with anything significant.

What will happen if and when Miguel Cotto unleashes a fast and thudding welterweight sized combo at Pacquiao’s chin? With Cotto’s speed and skill he is indeed much more likely to land something significant on Pacquiao than his previous two opponents. Should this happen it will be the first time since Juan Manuel Marquez connected hard and often on Pacquiao (in early 2008 at 130 pounds) that Manny’s whiskers will be tested.

Up this high in weight, this is trial by fire. Although it’s a sentiment we’ve heard for Pacquiao’s last few fights, it does deserve to be asked again. What will happen when Pacquiao eats a full fledged welterweight punch? Despite the fact it hasn’t happened yet, it will sooner or later. With Miguel Cotto set to engage Pacquiao this November, the smart money is on sooner.

Should Pacquiao lose to Miguel Cotto, there would be no shame to ensue. With the span of divisions Pacquiao has successfully navigated the notion of finally losing to a ‘better’ man becomes somewhat blurred. At this point it may ultimately come down to finally falling short against a ‘bigger’ man.

However, many Fight Fans firmly entrenched on the Pacquiao express will tell you Cotto will just be another victim in the wake of Hurricane Manny… and they might just be right. Pacquiao’s speed will be unlike anything Cotto has ever seen, and while Joshua Clottey had success in spurts overwhelming Cotto with power punches, it is safe to say that Pacquiao’s offense is more than capable of producing the same result.

That aside, I can’t help but be reminded of the adage that ‘what goes up must come down’. Many things from the laws of physics to the law of averages suggest that Pacquiao’s historic run will come to an impasse sooner or later. Miguel Cotto very well may be that road block. If he isn’t, and ‘The Pacman’ lives to fight another day perhaps the greatest chapter in his story is yet to be written. It is an exciting time in boxing nonetheless. Pacquiao is currently penning his own story, and it is history in the making.

Source: http://fightfan.com/2009/07/will-pacquiaos-astonishing-rise-stop-with-miguel-cotto/

Read more!