Manny Pacquiao: Is he taking Miguel Cotto lightly?

For one thing, the worst possible thing a fighter can do is not only to underestimate his opponent but also looking past him for his other commitments especially if one is already on top of the world. I remember when Muhammad Ali fought Leon Spinks; he took Spinks very lightly and lost his title the first time they fought. John L. Sullivan was woefully out of shape when he lost his title against James J. Corbett; as was Jack Johnson when he lost his title to Jess Willard. Another good example of an ill prepared fighter was Mike Tyson when he lost his title to Buster Douglas. Every top fighter can get a little lazy, cocky or hard headed on occasions especially when they’ve already reach the mountain high.

While reports circulating from the Philippines, IBO light welterweight champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO) has yet to setup his training camp with his trainer Freddie Roach in Baguio City for a week and Mexico until 2 weeks prior to the fight. A news that whispered word among those in the business and that whisper is getting louder, Pacquiao’s lackluster to start training due to TV sitcoms commitments and TV commercials was prompted by his coach Freddie Roach and even threatened to quit training camp if Pacquiao continues to show lack of urgency and if he decide to kick off training in Baguio. Pacquiao’s decision to setup training camp in the Philippines was influenced by US tax laws, an alien like him are only allowed to stay 180 days in three years or otherwise pay excessive taxes should he decide to overstay.

There were also write up saying that Team Pacquiao is not worried training much later because he can easily make weight within the time remaining before the fight. Then again, training is not only for losing pounds and making weight! It’s also a matter of studying, planning, practicing and mastering your fight plan. And that requires a lot of work, and most of all, it requires a lot of time to perfect every moves!

I do hope Manny Pacquiao sets his priority straight. He is a boxer first and foremost, that's why he became all of the above. Come to think of it, former world champions Rolando Navarette and Rolando Bohol became movie stars too when they were still champions. But when their boxing careers were gone, their showbiz careers were pretty much history as well. Remember, in boxing you're only as good as your last win. And if you lose, you're pretty much back to zero. That's a painful boxing truth, but it is the truth.

Over-confidence, underestimating the opponent, a very shortened training time frame due to a contract to finish a movie, attending numerous commercial endorsements and taping TV sitcoms as well as the hoopla of the political arena, mix it up with a world champion opponent well-focused and trained, equals a perfect recipe for an upset loss for Manny Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto (34-1-0, 27 KO) is already incorporating high intensity training and has even started sparring sessions against top welterweight contenders. He is usually the type of fighter who always in control of a fight when he is in the right rhythm. He is textbook student on how to use the ring when needed, that's how he won the fight against Joshua Clottey. Miguel Cotto is gotta be the biggest, strongest, toughest and most powerful world champion amongst all of Manny Pacquiao's previous opponents. He should never be taken lightly by anyone, not even for the pound for pound number1 Manny Pacquiao, because Miguel Cotto is surely taking this fight seriously.

Source: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1883/2009-09-04.html