Could his big ego cost Manny Pacquiao this fight?

We all saw it. On 24/7 Manny's eyeballs rolled up and his eye brows rose high as trainer Freddie Roach interrupted to give the weather report as he spoke to Senator Manny Villar.

According to many, Villar, a possible presidential candidate, is now the most hated person in Pacland and philboxing.com since, well Michael Koncz.

Could Manny's new ego actually betray him against Miguel Cotto on November 14? Could it cost him the fight?

Let's look at this rationally.

While anything is possible, I don't think so. While his ego is on the rise, Manny also has taken on a lot more responsibility to soak up that ego.

Manny doesn't just have fanatical fans, he's now seems to carry a nation on his back. While I hear from detractors of the cause, I believe they are only jealous in fact.

A sudden growth in wealth and international celebrity certainly brings with it a growth of ego, and new fast lane friends. More friends telling you how great you are.

I have noticed the new found patience of both Roach and promoter Bob Arum toward Manny.

Could anybody be more of an expert on how to handle a growing ego than Arum? He has handled Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, even Evil Knievel to name a few.

I believe Manny, more than any previous Arum - promoted celebrity fighter realizes Arum has promoted the other guy since he was a four - round fighter and has to be a politician.

I believe this fight is well in hand. The legendary four-hour training sessions have not been compromised. Manny and Freddy apparently have been studying Cotto on tape more than any other opponent.

Even during a typhoon, Manny didn't miss one one workout. He improvised; he learned how to swim.

If ever a time to roll over in a king-sized luxury hotel bed in his silk pajamas and say "Tomorrow," that would have been the time.

Manny won't be able to simply e-mail a victory over Cotto in. But he can't fight this fight in those silk pajamas either.

If Cotto makes this a two-way fight, and causes Manny to fight I believe Manny is well-prepared to win.

I don't believe Cotto has the skills to keep Manny off of him anymore. Past fights with Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey have taken their toll. All he has left in my opinion for six rounds is heart. But it's a proud champion's heart.

Maybe only a handful of welterweights could beat Cotto in the state he is in. But Pacquiao is one of them.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m10d27-Could-his-big-ego-cost-Manny-Pacquiao-this-fight