CHECK OUT THE HAND WRAPS BUT IT WON'T MATTER A BIT

By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com

LOS ANGELES -- Recent reports indicate that Miguel Cotto Sr., will leave nothing to chance and will send a team representative inside the Pacquiao locker room to ensure that the Pacman’s hand wraps are legal.

Nothing wrong with that move. After all, it's Team Cotto’s right to see to it that Pacquiao will not do what Margarito allegedly did.

So I say, go ahead Miguel so you will find out that Pacquiao is an honest fighter and will not resort to foul play to achieve an advantage over any opponent.

Why should he cheat when he knows that he can handle who ever is placed in front of him. Yes, Cotto is no Hatton or even a De la Hoya. But, just like the Brit and the Golden Boy, he will fall as well.

Perhaps Team Cotto should ask their cutman, Joe Chavez who worked the Pacquiao corner before and find out the real deal, that is -- Pacman relies on his speed, power and overall ring generalship to win fights. There is no need to “load his gloves” to achieve a resounding victory.

You know what?

With the high probability that Pacquiao will opt for the Cleto Reyes gloves, there will be no need to “plaster” his hands because with those “puncher’s gloves his powerful punches will cut up Cotto anyway, that is if he does not knock him out first.

Perhaps it would do Cotto good if his Team concentrates on what is important to win the fight rather that basically suspecting that Pacquiao could be another cheating Margarito.

Rather than being so distrustful, Miguel Sr., would have gathered more points and looked good to boot if he said the opposite, that is - Team Cotto will trust Team Pacquiao in so far as hand wraps are concerned rather than coming out saying “yeah, we will sent someone to keep an eye on them to make sure they do not cheat,” or something to that effect.

It is simply unfathomable to even think that Pacquiao will “do a Margarito”, not with the very reputable Freddie Roach doing the hand wraps and before the eagle eyes of the HBO cameras.

I am sure Pacquiao would rather lose the fight fair and square than attempt to cheat.

Perhaps people are forgetting that Pacquiao carries with him the whole Filipino nation each time he climbs the ring. The Cotto fight is no different.

Besides, he has a very good reason to keep honest. He will be running for a political office in May 2010 and one of the strong points he carries to the political ring is his integrity.

Do you think he will sacrifice that? Hell may freeze over before he will even think of that!

But just the same, you have the rights, so go ahead Miguel, check out the hand wraps but it won’t matter a bit!

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-28959.html

Pacquiao scores a knockout at Jimmy Kimmel Live

Indianapolis Fight Sports Examiner | Dennis "dSource" Guillermo

Philippines, give it up for your boy Manny Pacquiao because I'll be damned he just officially conquered Hollywood.

By golly he just turned The Jimmy Kimmel Show into a Filipino Karaoke Extravaganza, and if you ask me, he sure hit that ball out of the ballpark. Pacquiao is definitely a once in a lifetime athlete and personality in the mold of Muhammad Ali. It's amazing how he owned the stage as if he was simply working the boxing ring. To put it succinctly, like Kanye West, got me singing, "it's amazing!"

As if the hoards of Hollywood's biggest celebrities lining up to get their glimpse of the Filipino icon isn't proof enough of his status as the sport's most revered fighter, Pacquiao mesmerized his fans once again this time on network television as he flashed his pearly whites, joked with Kimmel and did his rendition of Dan Hill's classic love song "Sometimes When We Touch".

Pacquiao displayed all the characteristics that has endeared him to his fans all over the world. He was charming, witty, funny and always accommodating as he obliged the show with a song. Most of all, Pacquiao displayed his natural humility. When asked by Kimmel whether he was the most popular person from the Philippines, Pacquiao simply smiled and wouldn't even answer. Just for the record, I couldn't care any less about love songs but somehow Pacquiao singing it makes it look cool- and that is what Pacquiao truly did since he stepped into mainstream boxing and captured the world's imagination. Pacquiao made being Filipino "cool". And it is.

Pacquiao perfectly captures and represent the Filipino culture through his genuine smile, kind-hearted nature, hospitable attitude, generous ways and most of all his courage and strength to put his nation, his fans and his family first and do whatever it takes to make them proud.

Hats off to you Manny! As a Filipino living here in the US, you definitely made each and every Filipino believe that despite all the hardships we go through and through the lows you came from and how high the unimaginable lengths you have already achieved, that anything is definitely possible. Mabuhay ka Manny Pacquiao!

Writer's Note: I was a bit shocked when I received a letter from Magnamedia today regarding my credentials request being turned down. I know the magnitude of this fight and understand there's a lot of interest from media all around the world to cover the Pacquiao-Cotto spectacle. I can't hide my dismay however knowing how much I've followed Pacquiao-Cotto on a daily basis, especially when some writer over Yahoo.com or some some newspaper that hardly wrote anything about Pacquiao or Cotto these past months will get a spot. It's really disheartening, but politics is politics and I am a small fish compared to these ESPN and Sports Illustrated writers but the hits don't lie. You'd like to think they'd give more significance to internet writers who truly grind 24/7 to keep fights significant. I am in the process of appealing the request as it will definitely enhance the book I am currently finishing about Manny's career. If I don't get the credentials reconsidered however, I still hope to see you at the fights on the 13th featuring Mark Melligen and Z Gorres and thanks for allowing this disheartened writer and fan vent for a second.





Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m11d4-Pacquiao-scores-a-knockout-at-Jimmy-Kimmel-Live

Manny Pacquiao Sings on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Have you ever seen Pacquiao got Knocked Out?

Manny Pacquiao 1st Loss via TKO


Manny Pacquiao 2nd Loss via TKO

Pacquiao croons for Kimmel but no special song for Mayweather

NY Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley
HOLLYWOOD—That Hollywood Swinger known as Manny Pacquiao was in high spirits after a brisk workout which included eight strong sparring rounds under the ever vigilant eye of Coach Freddie Roach Tuesday afternoon.

Pacman went four rounds against Urbano Antillo, the gritty Mexican, and four against the bigger, heavy hitting Ohioan Shawn Porter.

After his typical lengthy, backbreaking gymnasium stint, Pacman intently watched his sparmates go at each other and then keenly observed world champion Amir Khan, also tutored by Roach, as he prepped for his Dec. 5 WBA 140 pound title defense against Dmitry Salita in Newcastle.

Khan sparred with Roach’s budding superstar, 17 year old high school senior who moved here recently from Phoenix, Jesse Benavidez.

All you had to do is watch three rounds to see how Benavidez handled himself against the talented and experienced British star to see that Roach may have another boxing goldmine on his hands.

Pacman said hello to me between rounds at one point and we shook hands.

I told him his footwork has improved considerably and I thought he was doing a bit of a Manny Shuffle as part of his ring choreography now.

Manny then did what Manny does, he smiled.

With his workout completed, Pacquiao left Roach to talk with the Pinoy press corps, including Abac Cordero and Nick Giongco, and he revved up his black Mercedes for the short drive across town to the Jimmy Kimmel Show Studios.

Agent Michael Koncz confirmed that Manny would croon “Sometimes When We Touch” on the nationally televised program.

Sex siren Pam Anderson was also slated to appear with Kimmel. It is rumored that she has been stalking Michael Koncz or Rob Peters but both denied the rumors.

I asked Manny if he had a special song for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Manny then did what Manny does, he smiled.

And his Mercedes zoomed down Vine Street towards the nearby Kimmel studio.

Just another day in the life of the Pinoy Idol.

He's fighting and singing his way into American hearts.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Pacquiao-croons-for-Kimmel-but-no-special-song-for-Mayweather

Boxer Pacquiao holds hopes of the Philippines

By Mynardo Macaraig (AFP) – 2 hours ago

MANILA — For the Philippines, boxer Manny Pacquiao is more than a sports champion. His fans, the media and politicians see him as nothing less than a national hero whose feats can lift the nation.

"The hopes of an entire country are riding on me. That is why I cannot let myself fall," Pacquiao says in one television advertisment.

It is a heavy message for a shampoo commercial but it is one that many Filipinos have taken to heart as they cheer Pacquiao on in his improbable career that has seen him rise from deep poverty to six-time world champion.

"There is a great responsibility on his shoulders because his victories are the victories of all of us and his loss would be the loss for all of us," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said when he awarded Pacquiao an "outstanding achievement" medal recently for his feats in the ring.

He lauded the 31-year-old for inspiring the 92 million people of this impoverished Southeast Asian nation.

Teodoro also referred to much-publicised security reports that rebel attacks and crime went down during Pacquiao's fights as guerrillas and criminals wanted to follow his fate on radio or television.

Both Pacquiao and the nation's faith will again be put to the test on November 14 when he faces hard-hitting World Boxing Organisation champ Miguel Cotto in a welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao has a record of 49 victories with only three defeats. He has won 27 times by knockout to now be widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

But the Philippines has produced many world-class boxing champs, such as Flash Elorde and Gerry Penalosa, and the adoration bestowed on Pacquiao is unprecedented.

"People just swarm (Pacquiao) to get a touch or a look. His countrymen love him," his American trainer, Freddie Roach, told reporters recently.

Pacquiao has parlayed his fame well, starring in two TV series and a movie, and appearing as a celebrity endorser for products ranging from luxury watches to milk and health drinks.

He is currently listed by Forbes magazine as the world's sixth highest-paid athlete, earning 40 million dollars in prizemoney, endorsements and business ventures for the 12 months beginning in June last year.

Even his mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, has benefitted from his celebrity status, becoming a television comedy star in her own right.

The concept of a sportsman becoming a marketing phenomenon is new to the Philippines, according to David Guerrero, chairman of BBDO Guerrero/Proximity Philippines, one of the country's leading advertising agencies.

"There are very few sports endorsers in this country compared to overseas where you have guys like Tiger Woods and David Beckham. The bulk of celebrity product endorsers here are from show business," he told AFP.

"It has taken someone like Manny to break through from a sports star to a mainstream celebrity."

Bill Velasco, host of "Hardball", the country's leading TV sports talk show, said Pacquiao's fame was partly due to his accomplishments.

"(It's) for the sheer volume of titles he has won. He is the first Asian to win four or more titles," Velasco said, but he added the sport of boxing itself was also an important factor.

"He has made good in a tough field that does not require technology, does not require schooling and does not require too much expenditure. It is basically his physical body. It is very primal, it strikes a chord with the Filipino.

"Additionally, he came along at a very good time. He came along when the economy was down, people were looking for a hero, and he won a world title, and he has been undefeated for four years."

Importantly, Pacquiao is also widely seen as a genuinely nice man who cares about others.

"He says all the right things, he does the right things, he does charity work, he does good things for his hometown. He plays his cards well, he is subtle in the way he handles things, He is very savvy," Velasco said.

Pacquiao plans to run for a seat in the nation's parliament in next year's elections, representing a district where he comes from in the southern Philippines.

This is one area where Pacquiao has failed before. Despite his widespread popularity, he lost to a veteran politician in his first bid for Congress in 2007.

"During the last election campaign, people were afraid that if he does win, he may not box anymore. That is the fear of most people," explained Velasco.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h9g-jZ45M2XjIMz-16GzdCH9mK0Q

Cotto 'won't leave anything to chance' against Pacquiao

By Greg Heakes (AFP) – 3 hours ago

LOS ANGELES — Miguel Cotto's handlers say they will carefully scrutinize the gloves and hand wraps of Manny Pacquiao before their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Miguel Cotto Sr said Tuesday they blundered by not inspecting Antonio Margarito's gloves prior to Cotto's lone career loss in July of last year and vow never to let it happen again.

"We only commit the same error once," said Cotto Sr. "We will never make that mistake again."

The increased vigilance comes after Margarito was caught using "loaded wraps" in his following fight against Shane Mosley in January.

Unlike Cotto, Mosley's trainers entered Margarito's dressing room prior to the fight. There they noticed that a damp hard white powder had been placed in between the rows of wrapping and tape before Margarito put his gloves on for the fight.

It has never been proven that Margarito cheated by using a plaster of Paris type substance for the Cotto fight but suspicions are strong, especially in Cotto's camp and that's the reason for the stepped up inspections of opponents' gloves and wraps.

Cotto, of Puerto Rico, senses he has the public support on this one.

"A loss is a loss. Nobody knows for sure if he uses it with me, or not, just Margarito and his team," said Cotto, after a 90 minute workout at the Pound4Pound Gym in Beverly Hills Tuesday. "But it makes me feel better (about the loss). Boxing fans are knowledgeable. They are the judges."

A classic boxer in the true sense of the word, Cotto is 34-1 with 27 knockouts.

Cotto bristled Tuesday at suggestions by Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach that the first loss is one of the toughest for a previously unbeaten fighter to recover from.

Cotto denied that the loss to Margarito had any negative effect on his confidence in the ring.

"Why don't you ask Manny that question because he has had three losses I have just one," Cotto said.

"My commitment is with myself. In my last fight (Joshua Clottey) I could have stopped the fight (cuts) but I decided to stay in the ring because of my commitment to myself and my family."

"Sometimes when you lose you win. Since Margarito great things have come to my career.

"Where is Margarito right now and where is Miguel Cotto?"

Said Cotto Sr, "We have worked a lot with his mind and staying focused. Mentally he is a strong guy."

Roach is predicting that the November 14 fight at the MGM hotel and casino won't go the distance and that the favoured Pacquiao will knock Cotto out capture his seventh title in seven different weight classes.

"This is the problem," Cotto said. "Freddie Roach is not the guy who is going to climb into the ring. If he prepares Manny for just nine rounds then he has three more rounds.

"He (Roach) can say whatever he wants. One day he says the first round and the next day he says round seven. I'm preparing for 12 rounds and nobody is going to know what will happen until the night of the 14th."

Cotto said he is focusing on this 145-pound bout and doesn't listen to talk about Pacquiao (49-3-2, 27 KOs) possibly fighting Floyd Mayweather in a mega title fight if he beats Cotto.

"He can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him," Cotto said.

Cotto respects Pacquiao for the way he has come from modest roots in the Philippines to become a world class boxer who is revered by Filipinos at home and abroad.

"He has earned everything he has," Cotto said. "Manny looked good against Oscar De La Hoya and (Ricky) Hatton. But I'm not Oscar or Hatton. Manny chose the right time to fight Oscar."

Cotto is looking forward to wrapping up training camp, heading to Las Vegas next week and says this is the biggest fight of his life.

"It is the most important fight of my career, but we'll have to see on the 14th if he is the toughest guy I have fought in my career," Cotto said.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPegqXbN7vAT8F8pghDHoDuCp4Mw

Gauging the Aftershock of Pacquiao Cotto

Published: Nov 03 2009 by: Scott Levinson

What Lies Ahead for Pacquiao and Cotto? (Post-November 14)

Predicting the winner of Pacquiao-Cotto has polarized the boxing community. A myriad of different results seem plausible, each having its own far-reaching impact. Whatever happens, the trajectories of both men’s careers will be largely determined by the result. Let’s examine the different possibilities.

If Pacquiao Wins in a Rout

A quick knockout, or even a one-sided prolonged battering would do two things: Firmly establish Pacquiao as a welterweight mainstay, and eliminate Cotto from the boxing big-time. Manny’s superstar status will be further confirmed, while those who felt Cotto was damaged goods would be vindicated.

Pacquiao has been setting the world on fire, but he’s yet to do it against a true welterweight threat like Cotto. There are still those who question Manny’s viability at this high of a weight.

A convincing win over one of the best welterweights in the world would put those questions to bed. He would then be able to set his sights on the best of the rest at 147, where the options are endless, including a blockbuster with fellow #1 pound-for-pound claimant, Floyd Mayweather.

This scenario would spell doom for Cotto. There is evidence pointing to him not being what he once was, and a comprehensive loss here would really lock in that perception. It would be a huge blow to his career, and while some big fights could still potentially be had, it would be difficult to justify him as a PPV attraction anymore. A resounding knockout loss here could spell the end for Cotto as a top guy.

If Pacquiao Wins a Close and Competitive Fight

For Pacquiao, nothing much would change. He’d be validated as a top welterweight, his star would continue to rise, and he would continue to pursue big fights at 147. If the closeness of the fight is matched by its excitement, there could be a rematch.

If Cotto loses, but manages to keep it close, he can still come out of this okay. He can find redemption in losing, as a close fight against the number one guy in the sport could actually elevate his standing and end the talk of him being shot. He would still be a top guy at 147, and be able to pursue big fights: a huge grudge rematch against Margarito, or a Mosley rematch. If Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations hit a snag, he could get the call. The bottom-line is he would still have options, retain his marketability, and remain a force in the game. This would not be such a horrible scenario for Cotto.

If Cotto Wins in a Rout

Does Cotto become the number one guy in the sport? It would be hard to make a case for Mayweather if Cotto were able to blow away Pacquiao in convincing style. It would cast further doubt on the Margarito loss, strengthening the speculation that there was dirty work afoot in that loss. It would be a career-defining win that would vault Cotto’s standing exponentially, not only in the division, but historically as well. The big matches would be his for the taking.

For Pacquiao, a bad loss would raise a lot of questions. Was his success partially a mirage? Did he benefit from taking on big-name fighters (De La Hoya, Hatton, Morales and Barrera) when they were at the end of their careers? Many people will be eager to write off many of his triumphs if he gets trounced.

With all-time greatness in his grasp, a resounding defeat here would cast some doubt on his legacy, as we would be forced to review his prior work with a more critical eye. While he may be able to secure and win a rematch, this is the last thing Manny needs at this stage if he wants to make a serious run toward the all-time top five list.

If not given a timely rematch, Pacquiao would likely be compelled to drop back down to junior welterweight where he is the recognized champion to pursue matches with Tim Bradley and other 140-pound stalwarts, including his old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez. But it would be a long way back to the position he now enjoys.
If Cotto Wins a Close and Competitive Bout

For Cotto, merely winning would do wonders for his career. It doesn’t need to be a whitewash, as he is the underdog and that’s probably too much to ask against the best fighter in the game. A Cotto win in any form would put him right back on top, silencing all the critics.

For Pacquiao, a close defeat would obviously be far less damaging than a clear one. The perception would not be so much that he’s not great, but perhaps that he bit off more than he could chew. It would show he’s not a real welterweight, something we maybe never had the right to think in the first place.

For a guy who began his career at 106 pounds, and was fighting at 130 as recently as 18 months ago, it’s asking a lot for him to be a welterweight powerhouse. We would be forced to re-calibrate our expectations, and acknowledge that he is indeed not Superman.

He would probably abandon the division, but not necessarily be stripped of his superstar status. His mystique, however, would still take a substantial hit.
Summary of the Pacquiao Cotto Possible Outcomes

A lot is riding on this fight, more than even meets the eye. This is a career-defining kind of fight for two of the biggest draws of the last decade, and their futures and legacies are at stake. In addition, the future of a few different weight classes and all the fighters in those divisions could be greatly impacted by what happens on the 14th.

One hesitates to call a bout between two established superstars a “crossroads fight,” but when one reviews the massive range of possible consequences of this match-up, it’s difficult not to call it that. The result could be the kind where both emerge status quo, or the kind that shakes the world of boxing to its foundation, or maybe somewhere in between. We won’t know until it’s over.

We can’t wait to see how it all plays out.

Be sure to keep checking in with ProBoxing-Fans.com for continued coverage on everything related to Pacquiao vs. Cotto. You can take a look at our Pacquiao vs. Cotto preview and prediction, the latest Pacquiao Cotto 24/7 recap and then on the night of the fight check in for Pacquiao Cotto results.

Source: http://www.proboxing-fans.com/gauging-the-aftershock-of-pacquiao-cotto_110309/

Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto Hits A Hot L.A

By David A. Avila

WEST L.A.-Reeking of sweat, heat and the scent of more than 100 body odors in the small West L.A. boxing gym, Miguel Cotto seemed right at home as he used the ropes, shadow boxed, hit the mitts and chit chatted with a few celebrities on Tuesday.

Cotto’s rare L.A. media workout brought out the journalists eager to capture the Puerto Rican bomber who defends his WBO welterweight world title against Pound for Pound champion Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) on Saturday Nov. 14.

The clash takes place in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.

Cotto spoke with television star Mario Lopez and posed with the Tecate girls before sitting down to speak with the several dozen fight reporters. On Wednesday it’s Pacquiao’s turn.


“I wouldn’t be here unless I thought I could beat him,” said Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), who is soft-spoken as usual.

Standing in the corner away from the press was cut man Joe Chavez, a long-time trainer in the gyms of East L.A. and perhaps the best hand wrapper and caretaker for boxers suffering gashes during a fight. Many attribute Cotto’s win over Joshua Clottey to Chavez’s ability to shut down the blood streaming down the Puerto Rican’s face.

One thing most people overlook is Chavez previously worked with Pacquiao too. Aside from hand wraps and cuts, the man also knows boxing. But don’t ask him who is going to win.

“I stay out of that,” said Chavez, who may work with Pacquiao in the future. “I just deal with the day to day stuff.”

But ask Chavez what Cotto does well?


“He’s a very strong puncher,” said Chavez. “And he’s a very good counter-puncher.

That’s what he does very well.”

When Cotto and Pacquiao meet next week it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Puerto Rican boxer force the Filipino superstar to attack. He’s probably seen dozens of tapes and evaluated what opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales were able to do successfully and throw out the strategies that didn’t work.

Told that Pacquiao has been talking about Mayweather, Cotto was succinct with his response.

“After I beat him then he can fight Floyd Mayweather all he wants,” Cotto said matter-of-factly of Pacquiao.

Most people forget that Cotto has only one loss. That came a year ago to Mexico’s Antonio Margarito. The issue of hand wraps though often given to Cotto as a scapegoat was not grasped.

“Nobody knows if his hand wraps were illegal or not,” said Cotto of Margarito.

Cotto is a man’s man. He would rather beat Margarito in the ring then have some commission reverse the loss of July 2008. He knows a win over Pacquiao would vault him to the top of the Pound for Pound standings too.

“I don’t know how fast Manny Pacquiao is but we’re going to find out,” said Cotto.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7368/puerto-rico-miguel-cotto-hits-hot/

Roach predicts Pacquiao destruction over Cotto

Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney
When Freddie Roach makes a prediction it is usually pretty darn close to what actually happens. Recently the legendary trainer not only predicted that Pacquiao will win, but he predicted that he will win quickly, perhaps via 1st round knockout. Roach gives numerous reasons as to why he feels this fight will end up a bad one for Cotto.

1 - Cotto's corner. Roach points out that Cotto's corner is very inexperienced. In a fight against a ring killer like Manny Pacquiao, one's corner better be ready.

2 - Cotto's lack of movement - Roach point out that Cotto does not move fast enough. In a fight against a man with speed like Pacquiao, you better be able to move quickly.

3 - Cotto telegraphs his punches. - Roach points out that Cotto has flaws in his game that remind him of Ricky Hatton. He said that both Hatton and Cotto telegraph when they are going to throw a hook. Manny will be ready for this.

4 - Cotto cuts easily. With the amount of punches that Pacquiao will be throwing at Cotto, it could open up cuts early.


These are just 4 reasons why Roach predicts an early night for Pacquiao, and a bad night for Cotto. According to Roach, Manny wouldn't even be breaking out a sweat yet. Roach predicts a 1st round knockout.

This writer feels as if this fight goes well past the 1st round. I do not see a 1st round knockout for Pacquiao, but I do see a convincing win for him. Time will certainly tell.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-23590-Mississippi-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Roach-predicts-Pacquiao-destruction-over-Cotto

COTTO L.A. MEDIA DAY!

By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Los Angeles, CA:- Miguel Cotto arrived at the new Pound-4-Pound Gym along La Cienega Blvd., just south of Beverly Hills to keep his appointment with the media.

And, he came well ahead of the scheduled time of 12:00 high noon.

Cotto arrived in a limo with his trainers and a very small entourage and immediately started preparing for his workout.

Cotto’s demeanor tells us that he is dead serious in his preparation for the biggest fight of his life. There was no clowning around even with the Latino media people he recognized. Only polite “como ‘esta” and a small smile.

Cotto appears extremely fit contrary to certain published observations in the media. Although he did not reply when asked how much he presently weigh, he appeared to be somewhere close to the fight weigh of 145 lbs. Therefore, Team Pacquiao can forget about getting a million bucks for every pound that Cotto will weigh above 145 lbs when they officially step on the scales a day prior to the fight.

Cotto flies straight back to Las Vegas after the LA presscon to continue his training leading to the fight on the 14th.

Photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-28939.html

Pacquiao must challenge Mayweather to be the undisputed best at 147

Dallas Boxing Examiner | Matt Stolow

Manny Pacquiao may very well win his seventh world title in seven different weight divisions in less than two weeks. But if he wants to be known as the best welterweight today and not just a title holder, he simply has to challenge Floyd Mayweather, Jr. at 147.

Trainer Freddie Roach recently said they wouldn't go over 154 if that, so a battle at 147 seems realistic if Pacquiao gets past Cotto.

Mayweather's credentials as the No. 1 welterweight are solid. Miguel Cotto's are very good but just short of Mayweather's, and Pacquiao doesn't have enough fights there yet.

All three fighters have met common opponents. DeMarcus Corley, Zab Judah and Ricky Hatton, to name three, have met some combination of Pacquiao, Mayweather and Cotto.

Mayweather has three welterweight defenses against Ricky Hatton, Carlos Baldomir and Zab Judah, along with a non-title against Sharmba Mitchell. He even went up to 150 to fight Oscar De La Hoya for his 154 title.

Mayweather has two WBC Light Welterweight (140) Eliminators against DeMarcus "Chop Chop"Corley and Henry Bruseles. He has one WBC Light Welterweight fight against Arturo Gatti.

Mayweather has four WBC Lightweight (135) defenses. Two are against former Pacquiao sparring partner and world champion Jose Luis Castillo. Mayweather had nine WBC Super Featherweight (130) before that included wins over world champions Genaro Hernandez and Jesus Chavez.

Cotto won a vacant title over someone named Michael Jennings, that no TV network would buy, and a near life or death battle with respected Joshua Clottey in his one title defense during this current second run at the welterweights.

Cotto made four successful welterweight title defenses and claimed a vacant title before losing to Antonio Margarito under suspicious circumstances in his first run at 147.

He had beaten Alfonso Gomez, Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Oktay Urkal, and the vacant title over Carlos Quintana.

Cotto made six successful title defenses and one successful vacant title win at 140.

Those wins were against: Paulie Malignaggi, Gianluca Branco, Ricardo Torres, Muhammad Abdullaev, DeMarcus Corley, Randall Bailey and Kelson Pinto, respectively.

Pacquiao has an impressive KO-2 over Ricky Hatton for the IBO Light Welterweight Title (he weighed in at 138). Pacquiao (142) also has his gigantic December 2008 8 -round TKO over Oscar De La Hoya (145).

But the question remains: What will Manny Pacquiao do next after this fight with Cotto?
An exciting, competitive fight could bring about an easy to make rematch. A Pacquiao win over Cotto could set up negotiations for a Mayweather fight.

I believe negotiations have and are going on between Pacquiao and Mayweather camps and Arum said basically no they are not and it would be a while because Mayweather is so difficult to deal with, simply to get people off his back.

Originally there were eight weight divisions and only one sanctioning body. For a while after World War II it stayed that way but in early 1950s the lighter weights went to the junior titles and more sanctioning groups, starting with the World Boxing Association came into being.

Today we have 17 weight divisions, six world sanctioning organizations, Interim titles and, Champion in Recess that serve only to dilute the boxing product because they are not accountable to anybody about anything.

Beneath that we have layers of International, national, and regional titles.

The trick is for the sanctioning bodies to protect their interests by tying up its top contenders waiting for their title shot with these interim titles so as not to see them go fight for other titles of other organizations while the current champion considers retirement or easy voluntary defenses.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Pacquiao-must-challenge-Mayweather-to-be-the-undisputed-best-at-147

COTTO READY FOR PACQUIAO, SAYS LANDMAN

By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com

“They can do what they want and say what they want, Miguel doesn’t pay much attention to those things.”

Thus declared World Boxing Association welterweight champion Miguel Cotto’s conditioning coach Phil Landman by way of reacting to his ward’s almost not getting the attention his November 14 opponent Manny Pacquiao has been getting.

Landman, in an interview with broadcast journalist Dennis Principe in his program ‘Sports Chat’ yesterday, said Cotto, who will be staking his 147-pound crown in that 12-round encounter with the Filipino icon at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, said the Puerto Rican is actually benefitting from the lesser attention the media is according him.

“Yeah, I think so. This less-superstar status Miguel is getting is giving him more precious time to focus on the things that matter most,” Landman said.

The International Boxing Organization junior-welterweight champion’s famous trainer and psywar master Freddie Roach has been doing all the talking for Team Pacquiao, obviously in his efforts to get the goat of their once-beaten but still formidable foe.

“A lot of what Freddie says is to get in camp Cotto’s heads. There is nothing wrong with that. That’s boxing. No one knows what can happen. The fight could go a lot of different ways and that’s why it’s going to be a great fight,” fight promoter Bob Arum said in a recent conference call in justifying Roach’s verbal assault on Cotto.

Roach, in a separate interview, even claimed he has placed a huge bet on a first round knockout win for his prized ward to which Landman said: “So far, Roach is coming up short with his shots.”

Now working on his ninth fight with Cotto, Landman assured that the program he has established from the day they first met has been greatly absorbed by his fighter.

Proof of this, added Landman, is the constant ability of the longtime light welterweight champion Cotto to deal with all type of fighters the welterweight can offer, speed and power wise.

“Since we arrived we knew what we have to achieve and we knew exactly the kind of work to be done and we’ve done that,” said Landman “We try to make new things but for the most part we generally stick to something that has worked.”

Landman’s job as Cotto’s conditioning coach started when the Puerto Rican made his debut in the tough 147lb division in December 2006. By that time Cotto had already beaten most, if not all who challenged his supremacy light welterweight class.

Cotto’s booming entry into the welterweight derby, a fifth round stoppage of compatriot Carlos Quintana, gifted him the vacant World Boxing Association belt.

Cotto finally reached full stardom after scoring a close but deserving 12-round verdict over longtime pound-for-pound entrant Shane Mosley in a WBA title defense November of 2007 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Cotto’s celebrity status however came to a screeching halt after he was battered to a pulp by Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito via an 11th round stoppage in July 2007 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Back-to-back wins after the Margarito setback somewhat regained for Cotto some of the luster he lost. But what pushed Cotto closer to recapturing his lofty position was the issue that befell Margarito who was caught red-handed of using plaster-like substance on his hand wraps moments before the Mexican’s title defense opposite Mosley early this year in Los Angeles.

“Pacquiao’s our next main objective and were giving everything to attain that,” Landman said. “Since we arrived we knew what we have to achieve and we knew what exactly the kind of work to be done and we’ve done that.”

“Obviously he (Pacquiao is the best in the sport. We try to make new things but for the most part we generally stick to the plan and something that has worked,” he bared. “We always try to make it interesting but we make adjustments just a little bit. Miguel doesn’t need anything to get motivated because in fighting Manny Pacquiao, That alone keeps him motivated.”

Speaking of the catch-weight Pacquiao and Cotto will be fighting, Landman said: “We don’t really need to be motivated. At 145 he will come in as strong as he was fighting at 147.”

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-28938.html

TSS As PI: Searching 24/7 For Clues To Cotto-Pacquiao

By Michael Woods

Examining HBO's 24/7 for clues which might affect the outcome of the upcoming fight is one of the most enjoyable aspects of watching the expertly crafted infomercial. In the second installment of the Pacquiao-Cotto docudrama miniseries, TSS played PI, and looked for anything in the fighters' actions, physiques or behaviors that might inform a fight fan what is likely to unfold on Nov. 14, when Manny Pacquiao tries to secure a seventh title in a seventh weight class from WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto in a 145 pound "catchweight" clash.

In the previous installment, we saw Cotto mixing business with pleasure; it looked like his training camp in Florida, away from distractions in his native Puerto Rico, took a load off the fighter with the frequently furrowed brow. In contrast, Pacquiao's camp was a picture less tranquil. He chose to stay in Baguiao, a region beset by severely foul weather, causing his trainer Freddie Roach to firmly request that the fighter switch up his plans, and decamp to a safer spot, free from typhoons, and perhaps, leeching politicians hoping to get a bump in the polls with a endorsement from Manny.


In the second episode, viewer saw a previously perturbed Roach in Manila, having made the eight-hour trek from Baguiao without Pacquiao. They hugged it out, it was made clear, and got back on track preparing for Cotto. Or, they got back on track as much as Manny's demigod status allows—fans clamor to touch the fighter whenever he exits Gerry Penalosa's gym. But Pacquiao seems to be able to clear his mind of distractions. And Roach makes sure of it, offering a $1,000 bounty to any sparring partner who dumps Manny on his can. So far, Shawn Porter and Jose Luis Castillo haven't been able to get that extra spiff in their envelope, but the added impetus gives Pacman more reason to stay on message in training, and tells viewers that at this juncture, at least, it certainly appears that all the money and adoration he enjoys hasn't swelled his head, and won't pave the way for a fall to Cotto.


Back to Cotto—the Puerto Rican hitter welcomed Miguel the 3rd to Tampa, for a week-long visit to see pop do his thing. That includes pre-dawn workouts at a local track. Perhaps the "stamina thing," Cotto's supposed tendency to fade in the last third of fights, will not be an issue come Nov. 14, if these track workouts have been installed, or modified, to speak to his gas-tank woes? Team Cotto did manage to get some chill-time in, going golfing, and viewers with old-school values might wonder if Miguel is splitting his focus too much, taking too much time with his son, instead of eating, breathing and sleeping Pacquiao 24-7.


Then again, Manny does manage to have a varied life during training camp. Witness Pacman's duet with a female vocalist on the 1977 Dan Hill classic "Sometimes When We Touch," which he filmed for a Filipino TV network as part of a farewell concert. That went swimmingly, but there was still the matter of the conflict within his crew. Fitness coach Alex Ariza and advisor Michael Koncz haven't been getting along, and snipe at each other in front of Manny, who stays above the fray, seemingly untouched by the chaos. Can Manny truly be as unruffled by the beefing as he appears?


A viewer watching this installment might wonder whether Cotto's sparring partners are of a lesser breed than Pacquaio's and be left to think that Pacman's camp is that much more effective than Miguel's. Cotto gets work in with 9-3-1 southpaw Kenny Abril, from Rochester, NY, and 7-1 Georgian lefty Fred Tukes. Contrasted with Pacman's crew, which included 26-1 Mexican Urbano Antillon, 10-0 Shawn Porter from Ohio and former lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo (60-9-1), it does seem like Cotto's getting gypped in this department. Perhaps the time spent studying films of Pacquiao on the part of Miguel's dad Miguel Sr. and 32-year-old trainer Joe Santiago will compensate.


At Roach's Wild Card Gym, Pacquiao looks trim and on message. He doesn't seem put off by the absence of Michael Moorer, who helped Roach while Manny got ready for Ricky Hatton, and rubbed Manny the wrong way with his brusque manner. The Wild Card looks cramped but homey, while Cotto's training zone in Tampa looks roomier, but more complicated. Viewers see his wife Melissa, who he'd been estranged from, is back in the picture. She comes to the gym, with two more kids, and Miguel's mom, who wears an expression none too joyous. Perhaps those relationships don't siphon an ounce of Cotto's mental energy, perhaps he is relieved to be unburdened from the presence of his uncle Evangelista, who he split from in the spring. But we saw Miguel's dad admit he and his bro have severed ties totally, one wonders if having all these sticky family issues in his face benefits Cotto two weeks before his big bout.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7366/tss-searching-clues-cotto-pacquiao/

Is Freddie Roach the greatest trainer of all time?

Posted: November 3rd, 2009 | By David Isaacson

Freddie Roach, the coach of Manny Pacquiao, has deservedly earned a reputation of being one of the best boxing trainers in the world today.

Of course, there have been other trainers who have been considered greats along the way.

There was Angelo Dundee (Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard), Manny Steward (Thomas Hearns and Lennox Lewis), Eddie Futch (Bob Foster, Joe Frazier and Roach himself) and maybe even Alton Merkerson (Roy Jones jnr) or Roger Mayweather (Floyd Mayweather jnr).

There’s also a counter-view that great boxers would have become great anyway – whether they had good trainers or not!

What do you think? (There are a whole bunch of great trainers from years gone by whom I have over-looked in this poll – apologies for that)\

Source: http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/longdrop/2009/11/03/is-freddie-roach-the-greatest-trainer-of-all-time/

Western Union Man: Roach says Cotto telegraphs his punches

NY Boxing Examiner by Michael Marley

LOS ANGELES--He might be a virtual teetotaler but Coach Freddie Roach sincerely believes that Miguel Cotto is still suffering from a hangover.

Drawing on his own personal experience as a featherweight who compiled a decent 39-13, 15 knockouts career record, Roach analogizes the Puerto Rican’s devastating experience in taking a beat down from Antonio Margarito to his own two round KO defeat to Lenny Valdez.

“I got caught in the second round,” Roach said Monday at the Wild Card Gym where he put both Manny Pacquiao and British wunderkind Amir Khan through their training paces. “I had never really been hurt in the ring before, amateur or pro, until that fight.

“I was just never the same. It was mental, I think. I knew that I could get hit and hurt.”

Roach was 26-2 when he faced the 9-1 up and comer out of border town Mexicali. Valdez wound up his pro career with a final mark amazingly of 35-18-1, 22 knockouts, amazingly similar to Roach’s totals.
To hear Roach tell it, a fighter who knows he is vulnerable is different than a fighter who has had everything going his way.

Looking at Roach's ring resume underlines his theory because the "Choir Boy" as he was known lost 10 bouts after getting stopped by Valdez.

Roach thinks Cotto's downhill slide will be accelerated by Pacquiao's speed and power.

“He just made made mistakes in the Margarito fight and he knows that,” Roach said. “No matter if he thinks Margarito had something in his hand wraps or not, Cotto still got knocked out and he can’t forget that completely.”

I asked Roach if his repeated KO 1 prediction for Manny over Miguel wasn’t just harmless puffery.

Roach smiled and then said, “If Manny hurts him in the first, Manny will finish him. I just said that really to get a rise out of the Cotto camp. If they had ignored me, that’s fine but they responded to that so maybe it’s in their heads now.

“Don’t forget that Zab Judah had Cotto hurt.”

Roach said that the limited experience of Jose Santiago as Cotto’s chief trainer and cornerman is an obvious deficiency.

“Cotto, for all his experience, is like any fighter. He still makes mistakes, fundamental mistakes. He’s got a rookie team around him. Look back at his fights and you will see that Miguel Diaz (now Pacquiao’s cutman) was the mouthpiece in Cotto’s corner.


“Any fighter makes certain mistakes because you get into bad habits or you fall back into those bad habits. I did it myself as a fighter and I know that, when (legendary trainer) Eddie Futch wasn’t around, I fell back into those poor habits,” Roach said.


Roach said one habit of Cotto’s might lead to a commercial endorsement deal with a money transmission company such as Western Union.


“Cotto telegraphs his punches. He’s the boss in his camp, in the gym and in the corner. But he can’t watch himself. He can’t see what his mistakes are. You need to have someone watching you every day, watching your everyday habits and tendencies.


“What experience does this Santiago have, a degree in sports medicine? I love these sports medicine guys.”

Taking Roach’s emotional temperature Monday was quite easy for me.

It might’ve been a cool, misty even foggy 72 degrees, standard LA weather conditions, but Roach is cooking with hot grease.

Pacman’s trainer thinks Cotto is soon about to get into a flaming cauldron, that will prove to be scorchingly hot.

The stove is on high and the ingredients have been poured into the pot.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Western-Union-Man-Roach-says-Cotto-telegraphs-his-punches

Get priorities straight, Pacquiao fight-bound officials told

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filed Under: Pacquiao, Boxing, Legislation

MANILA, Philippines—Lawmakers scrambling to book flights to the United States to watch Manny Pacquiao’s fight should heed Malacañang’s advice: Set your priorities right and be sensitive to your calamity-stricken constituents.

“I guess they know what their priorities are. There are pending bills. They should know if they can leave the country or not,” said Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo Tuesday.

The deputy presidential spokesperson said congressmen should be “sensitive” to their constituents, especially the thousands of calamity victims grappling with the aftermath of several powerful storms.

“They should be sensitive to their constituents especially since elections are just around the corner,” Fajardo told reporters after a briefing in Malacañang.

Pacquiao is gearing up for his Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada. The international boxing champ is heavily favored to snatch the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) welterweight belt.

As in previous blockbuster fights, where Pacquiao knocked his foes cold in the early rounds, this fight is expected to draw a huge crowd of Manila-based spectators, including lawmakers and government officials.

Already, some 20 lawmakers, including Speaker Prospero Nograles, have flown to the US presumably to watch the fight.

Fajardo said she wasn’t aware if some Cabinet officials had booked flights to watch Pacquiao’s fight, but said that the advice also applied to them.

“If there’s more work in Manila, [Cabinet members] can always support Manny in some other way. We don’t have to go there,” she told reporters.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, whom Pacquiao looks up to as a father, and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson Jr. are Pacquiao’s rah-rah boys from the executive branch and have always attended his fights.

Fajardo said she wasn’t aware if First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo would fly to Las Vegas to watch the fight live, as he had done so in the past.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be in Singapore that day to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091104-233933/Get-priorities-straight-Pacquiao-fight-bound-officials-told

Roach Has The Recipe: Don't Allow Cotto To Get Momentum

As the Pacquiao-Cotto fight gets closer, Pacquiao's head trainer Freddie Roach has been very obliging to the media and fans with continuous quotes and statements to stimulate more interest in the fight. In one of his more recent quotes he said Pacquiao had to "start fast and finish strong" when he confronts Cotto on November 14th. This is probably the best game-plan that Manny can try to implement versus Cotto when they meet in a little less than two weeks.

“We need to be fast and aggressive at the start,” Roach said. Then mentioned how Cotto is a slow starter and very well could be disrupted and bothered by Manny jumping on him at the opening bell.

Roach went on to say, "We must not give him (Cotto) the momentum because he gets stronger.” And then went into how Cotto was in trouble versus Zab Judah in the early going of the first round, and said Judah is not Pacquiao and believes if Pacquiao plants him with something big he'd be in even bigger trouble than he was versus Judah.

It's hard to dispute what Roach has said. However, there's one thing that went unsaid by Roach, and of course it's something that you'll never hear from the Pacquiao faction. And that's the fact that Cotto is not the same fighter who fought Judah two and a half years ago. There's just no getting around that. Since beating Judah, Miguel has had three physically taxing fights, with Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey.

In those three bouts Cotto was hit hard and forced to fight in retreat during many of those 35 rounds. In his last bout with Clottey it was easy to see, regardless of the competitor and warrior Miguel is - he was trying to run the clock out and do just enough to win. He's just not the same fighter who fought Judah mentally or physically. Not to mention he is bothered psychologically by getting hit more at this time then he was in 2007.

The other thing that's simply not a given is the belief that Pacquiao is a greater puncher than Judah was in June of 2007. Maybe he is but it's not beyond questioning. Which is a lot different than saying Judah is/was a better fighter than Pacquiao, something he's clearly not. Pacquiao is without a doubt a greater fighter and has clearly exhibited more heart and guts than Judah ever has. Zab was/is more of a front runner and when the going got tough at the world class level he sometimes cracked. Whereas Manny loves to fight and really is a fearless guy. That's what really separates them as fighters.

The reason Pacquiao is perceived as being such a great puncher at 140-145 is based on his last fight with Ricky Hatton. And because of the spectacular way the fight ended with Pacquiao crashing a beautiful overhand left against the incoming and wide open Hatton's chin, it's assumed that he's a great puncher at welterweight. But in reality Mayweather stretched Hatton with one punch before Pacquiao did. And nobody considers Mayweather a big one shot banger at welterweight, do they? It may have took Floyd longer to do it, but that's a matter of styles more than anything else.

No one can argue that Zab Judah's a greatly skilled fighter and accurate puncher. He also has very fast hands and was in the fight early against Mayweather. The difference was Floyd broke Zab mentally more than he did physically, and that's what really set them apart. Granted, there's nothing on Judah's record to suggest he's a life-taker, but Pacquiao's not a proven puncher at welterweight any more so than Judah. Had Judah fought the versions of De La Hoya and Hatton that Pacquiao did, is it a reach to envision him taking them apart in a similar fashion as Pacquiao did?

The Cotto-Judah fight is the main fight everybody has been looking to for a comparison as to how Pacquiao matches up with Cotto due to the similar styles between Judah and Pacquiao. But that fight provides two tales. The first being Cotto is hittable and capable of being hurt and shook early. And the other conformation is that against a average size welterweight, something both Pacquiao and Judah are, Cotto can be a monster when he gets through and beats on his opponents' body. No fighter ever made Judah look for a way out the way Cotto did once he started banging on him.

And that's why Roach couldn't be more correct in suggesting Pacquiao jump on Cotto at the bell for the first round. Along with that Cotto doesn't appear to be the finisher late in the fight that he was two plus years ago. Actually in his last fight it looked as though he was counting down the seconds and barely crossed the finish line. Then again if Cotto can take a little out of Pacquiao by going to the body, if he can get to it, he may not have to be the finisher he used to be.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7364/roach-recipe-don-allow-cotto-get-momentum/

Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto Preparing for Boxing's Next Superfight

by Bryan Brennan

On Nov. 14, two of the biggest stars in boxing will face off for a pay-per-view superfight. Superfights are something special in boxing. They are the type of fight that get the general public to pay attention to the sport of boxing.
I go through a few different phases for super-fights:

Phase 1: Going into a big fight like this, I always envision an epic battle between two gladiators and blood-and-gut warriors with grit, sweat, anger and any other adjective that sounds tough and manly. I blog about what an amazing ballsy, kick-butt fight it will be. I talk to whoever will listen about my expectations, scientific analysis and true gut feelings. This is a great phase to be in.

Phase 2: Honey roasted peanuts are set out, Bud Lights are cold, my scorecard's ready, and my girlfriend is patiently waiting until fight night is over (because she's been listening to me for a month, she knows this one is important). I then proceed to suffer through two or three horrid undercard fights that, if I'm lucky, are complete mismatches and end quickly. If I'm not lucky, it's a Zab Judah mismatch that should have ended early. Instead, he once again doesn't live up to expectation and drags me through the miserable fight for 10 or 12 rounds. This is phase filled with anxiousness and yet a little aggravation.

Phase 2.1: The undercards were terrible, but that's OK. The main event will be so amazing it will make up for everything! I refill my peanut jar, double-check the fridge to make sure I have enough Bud Lights (because the main event will have me on the edge of my seat for at least 10 rounds). I answer a few text messages driving home my prediction, letting everyone on the planet know what an amazing boxing mind I have.

The Fight: The main event ends as soon as it started or is a patty-cake match for 12 rounds. On top of everything, the decision is a debacle. (Obviously, there is the diamond in the rough, but most do end in disappointment.)

Phase 3: Then comes the moping, tears, sadness and complaining about forking over $50 bucks "for that." After that, you swear off the sport forever because it's corrupt, doesn't treat its loyal fans with respect and bleeds you dry every time you are forced to spend your hard-earned cash. My girlfriend cues up Dancing With the Stars on DVR, and just yeses me to death until I finally stop my babbling and go to sleep in a Bud Light-induced coma. (She's very patient with me.)

Phase 4: I read on Eastsideboxing.com how the winner will square off against another huge name in the sport for what will inevitably be the fight of the year. Now that fight is going to be the best fight ever. I can't wait to blog about it, talk about it and pay money for it. I guess that means it's back to Phase 1.

Well, folks, I am here to tell you that I am knee-deep in Phase 1 right now. Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are two guys who haven't ducked anyone, fight with true heart and put on fights for the fans. There is no way this one can let us down. I am so deep into Phase 1 that I decided one prediction blog wasn't enough for this showdown. I am going to write a three-part blog about this fight.

Part 1: Why I Love Miguel Cotto
Miguel Cotto has been one of the most consistent fighters in boxing over the past few years. There hasn't been another guy in boxing who has constantly taken on the best, fought entertaining fights and tested his own abilities quite like Cotto -- except maybe Manny Pacquiao.

The reason Cotto is so fun to watch is that he is beatable. I suppose that shouldn't be a reason why you love a fighter so much, but I think that was why Arturo Gatti was so popular. That's why every Diego Corrales fight was a must-see event, and it's probably why Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been trying for years to get a fan base. It's not that you root against a fighter. It's that you never really know how he will pull off the victory.

There is a crazy nervous feeling I get when Cotto steps into the ring with his opponent, because a lot of the times I've thought the other guy has the tools to beat him. Somehow, Cotto has figured out a way to overcome that adversity, and that is what fans want in their fighters. That ability to dig deep and muster some energy, or skill, that maybe even the fighter didn't know he had. It is what makes elite athletes so special.

Cotto for the most part looks like a machine when he enters the ring -- chin down, gloves high and his eyes glaring between his fists like a sniper peering through his scope. He is also very militaristic in the way he can systematically break an opponent down, as he did with Carlos Quintana, Paulie Malignaggi, Randall Bailey, Kelson Pinto, Lovemore N'dou and many others.

There have been many fights, though, where he wins using other tools in his arsenal. In 2005, Cotto faced off against Ricardo Torres and won that fight on pure heart. The two traded bombs in the center of the ring for several rounds, until Cotto was the last man standing. (The picture of Cotto at the end of that fight will always be a lasting memory for me.)

In 2007, Cotto proved to the world that he was an upper-echelon fighter when he disposed of two fast, capable fighters in Zab Judah and Shane Mosley. Against Judah, Cotto was taking on a heavy-handed fighter, who can beat just about anyone when his mind is in the game (of course, his mind is never really in the game). Cotto overcame a vicious uppercut early in the fight, and fought through a severely damaged lip to impose his will, stopping Zab in the 11th round. Fighting Mosley later that year, Cotto was beating the faster guy to the punch and showed off some magnificent boxing skills that many didn't believe he possessed. He outboxed Mosley in an extremely entertaining fight. Cotto showed the ability to break an opponent down and game plan and execute against another elite fighter.

In the lead-up to the showdown against Manny Pacquiao, all the talk has been about what the Pacman is going to bring to the table, and rightfully so. He has had a run unlike anything I have seen in a long time (not since maybe Tyson).

But because of Cotto's only loss (Antonio Margarito) and his last fight (Joshua Clottey), people seem to be forgetting what a solid fighter Miguel Cotto is.

In 2008, he took on the self-proclaimed "most avoided man in boxing," Antonio Margarito. The first half of the fight Cotto fought like he did against Mosley, dancing around the ring and putting on a splendid display of his boxing skills (I still wish he had focused on the body instead of the head, though). Then as the sixth round came and went, Cotto began to slow down, and Margarito's punches started to take their toll, forcing Cotto to take a knee in the 11th. Margarito was found with loaded hand-wraps in his next fight, against Shane Mosley, raising the suspicion that he may have had loaded wraps against Cotto as well.

In his last fight, Cotto took on the very tough and vastly underrated Joshua Clottey. Cotto looked strong early on before getting cut in the third round, and Clottey put on the pressure. Cotto had to dig deep in the championship rounds to pull off the split decision. The fight could have gone either way, but it seemed like Clottey just stopped fighting in those last rounds, and Cotto was able to walk away with the razor-thin decision.

Is Cotto still haunted by the loss, and beating to Margarito? Maybe, I know I would not be able to overcome something like that.

Did that affect Cotto in the Clottey fight? I don't think so. I think Clottey is an underrated fighter who will only be beaten by the best fighters in the world. Let's not forget that Clottey’s only other loss is to Antonio Margarito, in which Clottey was making Margarito look very human for the first half of the fight, before he stopped boxing in the second half.

This brings up a few questions. Were Clottey’s hands hurt as he claims? If so, he is quite a tough, rugged fighter. Were Margarito's hands also loaded then? Were Clottey's hands fine, and he just has a habit of slowing down and not fighting toward the end of fights, as he did with Cotto? Either way, Clottey is no pushover and can beat any fighter on any given night.

I love Cotto for many reasons, but one stands above all the others: He comes to fight (I also like some of his new tattoos, but mostly because he comes to fight). Whether he's the wrecking ball that ran through Quintana, Branco and Malignaggi; the Rocky Balboa who survived Ricardo Torres; or the finesse boxer who outpointed Shane Mosley, Cotto shows up and entertains on fight night. I have yet to watch Miguel Cotto step in the ring and not be entertaining, and I don't see him letting me down on Nov. 14.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Why I Love Manny Pacquiao.

Source: http://www.nesn.com/2009/11/manny-pacquiao-vs-miguel-cotto-the-next-superfight.html

Roach expects Cotto to suffer Hatton's fate

By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – When he opens his doors to the media at noon Tuesday, Miguel Cotto will face some serious questions about the coming fight, probably as serious as pronouncements that he’s going to be knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the first round.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has been clamoring for an early stoppage on the night of Nov. 14, when the two great champions from different weight divisions collide in what should be the biggest fight of the year.

Just the other day, Roach spoke to Brad Cooney, and said that based on his studies, the WBO welterweight champion from Puerto Rico, dubbed as the younger, bigger and stronger boxer between the two, may suffer the same fate of Ricky Hatton. ( Related story on A-27)

Hatton, of course, is the British cyclone who was undefeated at junior welter until he got to face Pacquiao and got knocked out last May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was the kind of knockout that should push a fighter into retirement.

“Cotto makes the same mistakes as Hatton does. We are going to destroy Cotto, he won’t be able to hit us,” said Roach.

What those mistakes are he never really mentioned, but it probably has got something to do with Cotto’s tendency to drop his right hand when he lunges at his opponent or goes for that trademark left hook to the face or the body.

That should leave him open for Pacquiao’s vicious left, the very same punch that brought Hatton down for good.

“Cotto makes mistakes, and he’s been hurt in the first round before. If Manny Pacquiao hurts him in the first round like others have, believe me, he will finish him,” added Roach.

Cotto will face questions surrounding Roach’s bold pronouncements when he holds a media workout at the Pound4Pound Gym in South La Cienega Blvd here in Los Angeles. He faces the media at noon then proceeds with his workout.

Cotto is expected to fly in from Las Vegas. He arrived in Sin City last Sunday after a few weeks in Tampa, Florida, and a few more in Puerto Rico.

Pacquiao holds his own media workout Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym. On Tuesday, he resumes with his sparring, and is expected to do 10 rounds after doing 12 hard rounds against Shawn Porter and company last Saturday.

He did 16 rounds, non-stop, with Roach on the mitts Monday.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao is on tap to make a live appearance in the Jimmy Kimmel along with Cotto. It will be the first live appearance for Pacquiao in a nationally-televised talk show in the United States.

Pacquiao is closer to perfection as he moved just 11 days to the fight. He now has 130 rounds of sparring in the book, and has shown tremendous improvement handling someone as big, as fast as Porter as Cotto is.

In sparring, Pacquiao has gone far in impressing Roach who, before the camp opened, said this should be the toughest fight ever for the 30-year-old pound-for-pound champion, and that he sees 12 hard rounds in the ring.

Now he’s saying it could be over in one.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=520228&publicationSubCategoryId=69