Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto: it comes down to pride

"Cotto is going to be hard on us" is the Freddie Roach quote that Nick Giongco reports in his piece for the Manila Bulletin. Such, however, is not news. Roach has understood from the beginning that Miguel Cotto is not Ricky Hatton or Oscar De La Hoya. "If [Manny] stays on the ropes, he'd get beat," Roach said.

With the two prior opponents, Freddie was almost able to predict the second of the round that Manny Pacquiao would win the fight. The thing about knocking Cotto out in the first round, however, was mental ploy according to The Ring. Freddie doesn't really believe it and neither should you. Regardless, is Manny ready or not?

If you've followed Manny's career, then you know that his training habits are unorthodox. You also know that he finds a way, his way, to get ready for fight night. We've been sold the "bad camp" story before, but the stark reality is that Pacquiao is the number 1 fighter in the world and he hasn't lost a fight since Erik Morales squeaked out a unanimous decision in March 2005. In fact, Freddie recently told The Ring's Michael Rosenthal that Manny is "100% ready." Of course he is.

Sure Roach is not having the camp that he wants. The typhoon, the "adviser" throw downs, Manny's basketball addiction and the rest of it are distractions from Miguel Cotto preparation. Roach hates distractions. If he can give a quote or two to light a fire under Pacquiao, then so be it. Either way, Cotto is going to be a hard test and everyone this side of General Santos City knows it.

Forget the power v. speed, little man v. big man arguments. Cotto is a hard fight for one simple reason: pride. Manny confused De La Hoya more than anything and he simply capitalized on Ricky Hatton's numerous flaws. Great victories no doubt, but the two men are not Miguel Cotto. Cotto is faster than both of them. Cotto is stronger than both of them. Cotto will not walk into Manny's left hook or any other punch, and he most certainly will not quit on his chair. Cotto is going to be there for all 12 rounds. So will Manny.

In boxing lexicon, pride is synonymous with heart, guts, warrior spirit or whatever else you want to call it. Pride is going to force Cotto to attack Pacquiao in a variety of ways. Pride is going to push Pacquiao onward after he feels Miguel's power the first time. Then round 2 will begin.

Without question, Roach has developed a plan to defeat Miguel Cotto. Likewise, Joe Santiago believes that he has unlocked the Pacquiao mystery. Freddie may not be happy and Santiago may be new at the head trainer gig, but this is not a trainer's fight--it's a throwback. Don't believe the hype about fight preparations. The only certainty is that both men will be ready on November 14th. Ready to win or die trying.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-8370-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m10d25-Manny-PacquiaoMiguel-Cotto-it-comes-down-to-pride