Miguel Cotto's Training Video

Roach Won't Allow Cotto To Use Mayweather Trick

Trainer Freddie Roach will not allow WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto to use the weight tactic of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Last Saturday in Las Vegas, Mayweather weighed 146-pounds for his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. The fight was agreed upon for a catch-weight of 144-pounds. At the late hour, the Marquez camp was informed that Mayweather was unable to make 144 and a deal was reached for the fight to move forward.

Marquez weighed four pounds less at the weigh-in. Nobody knows what Mayweather weighed on the night of the fight. He refused to step on the official scales in the back and refused to answer any and all questions regarding his weight. Some speculate that he may have been in the mid-150s.

Roach's prize pupil Manny Pacquiao faces Cotto at the catch-weight of 145-pounds on November 14. He will not allow Cotto to jump on the scales at any weight above the contracted limit of 145. Cotto is in a different position than Marquez. Mayweather was brining all of the money to the table and did whatever he pleased. Pacquiao is the one bringing most of the money to the table in his fight; giving himself the advantage to impose his authority on Cotto.

“We will make sure that Cotto cannot use his weight to his advantage,” Roach told The Philippine Star.

Source: Boxingscene.com

Latest Pound For Pound Ratings

Source: The Ring

• 1. Manny Pacquiao

  

  Country: Philippines

  Record: 49-3-2 (37 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #1 | Last Week: #1 | Weeks On List: 303

  Titles: The Ring

• 2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

  

  Country: USA (Las Vegas, Nevada)

  Record: 40-0-0 (25 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #2 | Last Week: - | Weeks On List: 1

• 3. Shane Mosley

  

  Country: USA (Las Vegas, Nevada)

  Record: 46-5-0 (39 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #3 | Last Week: #4 | Weeks On List: 35

  Titles: WBA

• 4. Bernard Hopkins

  

  Country: USA (Philadelphia, Pa.)

  Record: 49-5-1 (32 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #4 | Last Week: #3 | Weeks On List: 172

• 5. Juan Manuel Marquez

  

  Country: Mexico

  Record: 50-5-1 (37 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #5 | Last Week: #2 | Weeks On List: 132

  Titles: WBA, WBO, The Ring

• 6. Israel Vazquez

  

  Country: Mexico

  Record: 43-4-0 (31 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #6 | Last Week: #5 | Weeks On List: 112

• 7. Rafael Marquez

  

  Country: Mexico

  Record: 38-5-0 (34 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #7 | Last Week: #6 | Weeks On List: 70

• 8. Nonito Donaire

  

  Country: USA (San Leandro, Calif.)

  Record: 22-1-0 (14 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #8 | Last Week: #7 | Weeks On List: 21

  Titles: IBF

• 9. Miguel Cotto

  

  Country: Puerto Rico

  Record: 34-1-0 (27 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #9 | Last Week: #8 | Weeks On List: 21

  Titles: WBO

• 10. Celestino Caballero

  

  Country: Panama

  Record: 33-2-0 (23 KOs)

  Ranking: This Week: #10 | Last Week: #9 | Weeks On List: 35

  Titles: IBF, WBA

Pacquiao starts training: Fans mob champ in Baguio camp

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is providing a different kind of chill up in Baguio these days.

Since arriving in the country’s summer capital the other day, the reigning pound-for-pound champion has generated so much attention that people have started to follow him wherever he goes and drool over whatever he does.

Pacquiao was met by a pack of mediamen, including those from various wire agencies, at the Cooyeesan Hotel upon his arrival, and a horde of fans, mostly tourists, when he went out for a run at the famous Burnham Park.

Pacquiao was out on the road at 5 a.m. yesterday, and instead of going to the Sta. Lucia golf course, opted to go straight to the park located at the heart of Baguio City. Before he knew it, a crowd had gathered around him.

Pacquiao chose a spot to do his morning rituals after the run, some shadow boxing, stretching and abdominal exercises as a security team tried to shield him from the crowd.

“It’s okay, Michael,” he told his Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, referring to the crowd that had inched closer to the boxer to watch his every move.

Pacquiao stayed in the park for close to an hour, and in between sets, shared jokes with his trainers, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri, and Koncz, who’s in charge of the boxer’s stay in Baguio.

Pacquiao was very friendly with his fans and showed them how he loves putting on a show while training.

After a brief rest in his hotel suite, Pacquiao moved a couple of floors lower where the gym is located. He worked out for nearly two hours, with just a few mediamen allowed in to take pictures of the boxer.

From the gym, Pacquiao moved to another wing of the hotel and played basketball with members of his team. The other day, he complained of some pain in his knee after playing basketball in San Francisco.

But all seems well now for the 30-year-old megastar who pounded the road, and the mitts like he’s been training for a month now.

Pacquiao has eight full weeks to prepare for his Nov. 14 fight with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto who’s in his first month of training by now. From Puerto Rico, he has moved over to Tampa, Florida.

Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, are scheduled to arrive this morning from Los Angeles and take the five-hour ride to Baguio to start presiding over the training.

Source: Philstar.com

Does Manny Pacquiao use Steroids, Cocaine or Marijuana? Test Results Now Public

The magnificently talented Manny Pacquiao is NOT injecting Anrold Schwarzenegger-Juice in his veins and he is NOT a coke-head or pot-head. According to a report out by the NSAC, not only is Manny Pacquiao not using illegal steroids, but he also isn't using cocaine or marijuana.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission which vigorously tests Athletes for illegal substances, have come out on record to clear Manny Pacquiao's name. Recently Floyd Mayweather Sr. made allegations that he believes Pacquiao is on some sort of enhancement. To be fair, Mayweather Sr. did not accuse Pacquiao of using Marijuana or Cocaine, but strongly indicated to the Grand Rapids Press that he believed Pacquiao was using something to boost his performance.

Keith Kizer, the executive director for the NSAC, has now gone on record to defend Pacquiao and gave insight to the tests Pacquiao has passed. Quoted by abs-cbnNEWS.com, Kizer stated:"All I can tell you is that Pacquiao, every time he's fought here (in Nevada, has) been tested, as well as his opponents. He passed every drug test we did to him, every steroid test we did to him."

Kizer went on to explain just how in-depth the NSAC goes when conducting searches of the athletes when it comes to Title fights. Not only do they look for performance enhancing drugs, but also illegal drugs, such as Marijuana and Cocaine. "Title fights (we have) tests for steroids and drug abuse. (We look out for) marijuana, cocaine. We collect urine (for tests) before and after the fight," stated Kizer.

There you have it Folks.... Manny Pacquiao is CLEAN!

Source: DogHouseBoxing.com

myLot User Profile

Arum Blasts Mayweather Sr. Over Pacquiao Steroid Talk

Las Vegas - Top Rank promoter Bob Arum today blasted Floyd Mayweather Sr over his allegations that reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao was on steroids or some performance-enhancing drugs saying, “he is as close to a moronic person as anybody.”

In a conversation at his Top Rank office with BoxingScene.com, ABS-CBN and Standard Today, Arum said “he (Mayweather Sr) has no credibility about anything. He keeps bragging that he is the greatest trainer in the world and Freddie Roach wasn’t a trainer and then his man (Ricky Hatton) gets humiliated and one of the reasons he got humiliated is because he didn’t coach his guy to watch out for Manny’s style.”

Arum characterized Mayweather Sr as “a fraud as a trainer and to give him any credibility on any kind of wild statement you have to recognize the source from which it comes. They’ll say anything to get attention.”

The astute promoter who will leave for the Philippines on September 30 said “people don’t realize what Manny (Pacquiao) means to the Filipinos,” who were up in arms over Mayweather Sr's wild and unsubstantiated statements.

Arum said the Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto “Fire Power” showdown at the MGM Grand on November 14 was doing “unbelievably well” and showed us the sales report stating that “of the 15, 887 saleable tickets with everything being sold, except 642 at the top price and 80 at the second price. Everything else is completely gone. And they are selling about 60 tickets a day so in ten days there won’t be a ticket left and then everybody will go crazy.”

The 682 tickets are priced at $1,000 and the 80 at $750 even as Arum revealed “there is nothing at $500, nothing at $300 and nothing at $150. Nothing.” The income on ticket sales to date is $8.2 million in at the box office with another $700,000 to go.”

Arum also announced that on October 10 they will open the sale of 15,000 closed circuit seats at $50.

Source: Boxingscene.com

The Mayweathers can never put a good man down

Floyd Mayweather Sr. as usual, is throwing every bomb from his family's arsenal of lies and thrash talking against the pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. Every boxing fan knows that the Mayweathers do not like Pacquiao. Floyd Sr., Floyd Jr., Roger and Jeff are all in one against Pacquiao. They have bitterly expressed their unacceptance of the fact that their 'Lil Floyd is no longer considered as the face of boxing and it's No. 1 fighter pound for pound.

Even before Pacquiao demolished Ricky Hatton last May of this year, the Mayweathers were against Pacquiao saying the latter is overrated and overhyped in his victory against the Golden Boy of boxing, Oscar dela Hoya. They claim that Dela Hoya was a dead man walking and that Hatton will be too much for Pacquiao to handle. Pacquiao shut their mouth up after he destroyed Hatton and knocked him out cold.

Everybody thought the Mayweathers will become silent for a while after witnessing Pacquiao's dominance over Hatton. But everybody thought wrong. Floyd Sr., came out in public saying to the press that it was not Pacquiao's superior skills that decided the fight, rather it was Hatton's refusal to listen to his instructions. I can not blame this good trainer if he just wanted to save his face from embarassment after telling the whole world how superior he is as a trainer compared to the great Freddie Roach.

Just recently, back to his old self, Floyd Sr. has again thrown what could be his most ridiculous bomb when he accused of Manny Pacquiao of taking illegal substance everytime he fights. Although this would make some noise, I don't think Floyd Sr., has still credibility left in him. He may be a good trainer, but his consistent showing of dislike on Manny Pacquiao only shows that he is becoming too personal and not really showing concerns for boxing.

I will not write everything the other Mayweathers (Lil Floyd, Roger and Jeff) have said against Manny because I am giving them what they really wish for. To make some noise in favor of themselves. So I will be writing separate articles out of their statements against Pacquiao and let people know how the Mayweathers are trying to put a good man down.

So far, they have failed. Manny is one of a kind as many boxing experts say. A true warrior in the ring, Manny still manages to show his humility to people. He has shown that he can win in every fight, but he knows he is just human. He may be defeated in the ring in the future, but he can never be put down as a person. As the cliche goes, "you can never put a good man down".

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: Philstar.com

Cotto fight my toughest test, says Pacquiao

BEVERLY HILLS, California (Reuters) — Manny Pacquiao, widely viewed as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is primed for his biggest test when he challenges Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title in November.

Although Filipino Pacquiao holds a significant speed advantage over the Puerto Rican, he has great respect for Cotto's punching power, strength and intelligence.

''This will be my toughest test as a professional boxer,'' Pacquiao, 30, told a news conference at a Beverly Hills hotel on Monday to promote the big-money clash.

''I know he is an excellent, smart fighter and a great world champion.

''We also know that he is good in body punching and that he's strong so we have to study that, how to counter it and fight that in the ring.

''We also need to use our own advantage over Cotto,'' added the southpaw, who cemented his status as the sport's premier fighter with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton in May to claim the IBO light welterweight crown.

''Everybody knows that I am faster than Cotto so how can I use that speed in the fight? I will do my best in this fight to capture my seventh title belt.''

Pacquiao has a glittering career record of 49-3-2 featuring 37 knockouts, but his trainer Freddie Roach predicted the November 14 bout in Las Vegas would go the full distance.

''It's going to be a much more tactical fight than people think because he (Cotto) is a very smart fighter,'' Roach said.

''It's who can implement their game plan and use it to the fullest advantage.

''I think this is going to be a 12-round fight, no knockout.

This guy (Cotto) is very resilient. If a knockout comes, it comes but if you go out there looking for a knockout, you might get caught yourself. We have to be very tactical.''

Cotto, who retained his WBO title with a gruelling split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June, felt his own renowned defence would more than match Pacquiao's speed.

''When you have good defence, you can stop speed,'' said the 28-year-old, 34-1 with 27 KOs.

''I don't know if he (Pacquiao) is ready to be beaten but I am in my prime of my career. I'm going to use every kind of tool I have in my repertoire.

''He has fought a lot of tough fighters but never one like this,'' added Cotto, who has held a world title in every year since 2004.

''The world will know who the best is when we meet in the ring in November.''

Pacquiao, a winner of six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds, is being tipped by boxing pundits as the favorite to win.

Source: MB.com.ph

PACQUIAO-COTTO PRESS-CON TOUCHES DOWN AT LA-LA LAND

Beverly Hills, CA:- No travelling press con to hype an event such as “Fire-Power” will be worth its salt if it does not make a stop at Tinseltown, aka Los Angeles.

Today, fresh from the East (which went as far as Puerto Rico), the main protagonists for “Fire-Power” finally touched down in town -- at the Beverly Hills Hotel on the west side of the famed Sunset Boulevard.

Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto met the LA Press corps to hype their fight on Novemebr 14th at the MGM in Las Vegas.

A whole plethora of sportwriters and many of the best sports photographers in town and a sprinkling of foreign press members filled a large ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Needless to say, and true to the Bob Arum tradition, the press was served a wonderful late lunch.

The Pacquiao-Cotton tiff is promoted by Top Rank Promotions in cooperation with MGM Grand Hotel Casino Resort and Tecate, the beer “with character”. It will be shown live on HBO via PPV.

Source: Philboxing.com

Pacquiao has Cotto figured out

SAN FRANCISCO — A week before he officially begins training camp in Baguio in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao has already solved the puzzle that is Miguel Cotto as the five-city publicity tour for the Nov. 14 super fight makes a stop to the City by the Bay for a press conference at AT&T Park on Sunday.

Talking to a couple of Manila-based scribes sent here to cover the event, Pacquiao said he is overly excited to get in the ring with Cotto, the shaven-skulled banger whose World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown will be on the line at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I don’t only know what are my advantages over Cotto,” said Pacquiao, who was met at the airport by members of the L.A. Boys, made up of his basketball and dart buddies living in Hollywood. “It’s not enough for you to know your strong points but what is important is how to use them in the actual fight.”

Pacquiao, 30, regarded as boxing’s best pound-for-pound, said he doesn’t see Cotto imposing his will by bullying inside or dancing around to keep him away from punching range.

“I would welcome him if he decides to slug it out at close range and if he intends to run, I know a lot of ways how to pin him down,” said Pacquiao. “I have a feeling, though, that he will try to dance around.”

Pacquiao kicks off training camp as soon as he arrives in Manila on Thursday as top trainer Freddie Roach is scheduled to follow him on the 20th or the 21st.

Earlier in Cotto’s hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Pacquiao was again mobbed by Puerto Rican fans before and after a press conference held at the Centro Bellas Artes.

“I feel flattered that even Cotto’s people love me,” said Pacquiao as he was en route to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in the capital city of San Juan for the 10-hour flight to San Francisco on Delta Airlines.

Even Cotto himself was very warm to Pacquiao, who was a first-time visitor to the US territory known as “La Isla del Encanto” (Island of Enchantment).

“”I would like to tell Manny Pacquiao that he is very much welcome here in Puerto Rico,” Cotto said during the flamboyant presentation held at noon before a packed crowd of 1,800.

The two were very cordial that they even sat beside each other before the start of the affair, something that photographers didn’t miss by taking pictures of the two as though they were buddies from way, way back.

Meanwhile, after the baseball game at the AT&T Park featuring the Giants and the Dodgers, Pacquiao will fly to Los Angeles for another round of media gathering at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao will proceed to San Diego for another baseball match featuring the Padres and will take a private plane back to Los Angeles so he could catch a Cathay Pacific flight bound for Manila via Hong Kong.

Arum is Baguio-bound Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is flying to the Philippines at the end of the month to check on the status of the training of Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao overheard Arum telling two Filipino writers about his plans then immediately told the Top Rank chief that he doesn’t have to worry about how to get to Baguio.

“I will send a private plane to pick you up in Manila,” said Pacquiao.

Arum was relieved because he had initially thought that he had to endure the traffic in Manila and the possibility of being inside a car for as much as seven hours.

Source: Mb.com.ph

Ariza To Head With Roach For Pacquiao's Baguio Camp

Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning expert Alex Ariza will arrive in Manila sometime this week to work with the reigning pound-for-pound king at his training camp in Baguio City.

In an interview at the Thai restaurant that Pacquiao frequents in the Wild Card Gym complex, Ariza said trainer Freddie Roach will follow a few days later.

Ariza admitted that Roach was “a little bit on edge because of his failure to contact Manny” in the Philippines because of what he claimed was “all the interference which was bothering a lot of us.” However, Ariza said the multi-award winning trainer is “a nice man. He’s cool and doesn’t let anything rattle him and when it comes and he gets face-to-face with Manny he’ll get out whatever he has to.”

Ariza indicated he was looking forward to his first visit to the Philippines and the training camp in Baguio which also means that a “lot of the people that are here (in LA) won’t be able to travel” to the Philippines which will minimize the distractions.

Ariza indicated that “as long as we have a track and good places to run and train” it will be fine, pointing out that when Pacquiao shows up in camp he shows up to train. Ariza added “I’ve never seen anybody train as hard as Manny.”

The conditioning guru who helped Pacquiao turn into a truly explosive fighter who annihilated David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that “watching Manny grow into his size and watching how strong he’s become and while everybody keeps saying these guys are bigger and stronger , they said that about Hatton. I said he wasn’t going to be the bigger guy, he wasn’t going to be the stronger guy.”

Referring to Pacquiao’s growth, Ariza said “Its very fortunate that he has responded so well to the exercises we do now and the new circuit training and things like that. We’ve got a good program where we focus on the strength part of it doing all the explosive movements, the plyometrics, ballistic training and in the last few weeks we focus on speed , strength work, balance, agility and things like that.”

Ariza brushed aside concerns over the time Pacquiao has to train for his WBO welterweight title fight against Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand on November 14 saying “ I think it is long enough. Its because the way he trains. If it was anybody else I’d say we might need a little bit longer but Manny pushes, and pushes and pushes so a longer camp might burn him out. It might work against him. Shorter camps with his mind focused and as hard as he trains I think seven weeks is perfect.”

Ariza predicted that Pacquiao’s “speed and explosiveness is going to be the key. Everybody doesn’t believe how strong he’s getting but when you are there and you see it . Freddie might think this will go twelve rounds but I wouldn’t be surprised if Manny stopped him (Cotto) I think he is so overwhelming now and he’s so confident he’s just a completely different fighter.”

Source: Boxingscene.com

Manny yields limelight to Cotto

WITH MANNY PACQUIAO AGAIN REfraining from lighting up verbal fireworks, it was Miguel Cotto who generated a buzz in his hometown Puerto Rico by making a little promise in front of his compatriots.

“I will return as champion,” he was quoted by Internet reports as saying after a press conference in Caguas to promote his match against Pacquiao.

Cotto will defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt against the Filipino pound-for-pound king on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Puerto Rico has been having great moments in sports the past weeks,” Cotto said. “I assure you the party will continue because after Nov. 14, I will return as champion.”

Puerto Rico’s latest triumph on the international stage was a silver-medal finish in the recent Fiba Americas, where it qualified for basketball’s World Championships in Turkey next year.

Pacquiao was greeted by an appreciative applause when he was introduced by Top Rank chief Bob Arum.

“I understand you support Cotto, but no matter who wins, we’re going to have a good fight,” said the Filipino icon.

This will be the fourth time Pacquiao will fight beyond his turf in the featherweight and super featherweight ranks.

In 2008, he took the WBC lightweight belt of David Diaz before stopping Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds of a welterweight match. Early this year, he knocked Ricky Hatton out in two rounds of a light welterweight championship duel.

Source: Inquirer.net

Roach: Pacquiao too quick for Cotto

Freddie Roach insists Manny Pacquiao can cement his place as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter against Miguel Cotto on November 14.

The six-weight world champion, who knocked out Ricky Hatton to claim the IBO light-welterweight crown in May, will return to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a bout at 145lbs.

The winner is in line for a megafight against either Floyd Mayweather Jr of Juan Manuel Marquez and, though Pac Man acknowledges his natural deficiencies, he remains confident his ability will see him through.

"I can see that this fight is going to be a hard fight for me because Miguel Cotto is bigger than me and stronger than me," Pacquiao told Sky Sports News. "But of course I believe in my power and my speed."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has studied the 28-year-old Puerto Rican - 34 (KO 27)-0-1 - closely over recent months and is sure his charge can come through.

"He (Cotto) knows that hand speed because he dealt with that when he fought Shane Mosley as well, but he has a little difficulty with the southpaw style," Roach said.

"But it's really not our hand speed that's going to win this fight, it's the foot speed. That's the key to this fight.

"After we exchange we can't stay in front of this guy and let him throw back at us."

The press conference to officially announce the bout was held at the new Yankee Stadium. And promoter Bob Arum is hoping that big fights themselves will soon return to major ballparks.

"We have a history of bringing big fights to the Yankee Stadium," said Arum, who put on Muhammad Ali's bout against Ken Norton on Sept. 28, 1976, a fight remembered more for the chaos caused by a police strike than anything else.

"It's something we'd like to do again."

Source: ESPNstar.com

Close, hard fight looms for Pacquiao

NEW YORK – Freddie Roach is calling this fight 50-50.

The three-time Trainer of the Year who had correctly predicted knockouts in Manny Pacquiao’s most recent fights has found big reasons to say that the Nov. 14 showdown between his pupil and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is going to be close.

“It could be a very hard fight. He’s strong. He’s a 147-pounder. And he’s a good puncher. He has a good left hook to the body,” Roach, who flew in Wednesday evening from Los Angeles yesterday told mediamen who gathered in front of him just off the Yankee Stadium diamond.

He said Cotto being a natural welterweight, plus the Puerto Rican’s ability to neutralize the speed of his opponents is what they’d be working on when Pacquiao officially begins training on Sept. 21 in Baguio City. They will be there for four weeks before heading to Los Angeles.

“I’ll be watching a lot of tapes everyday because he knows how to nullify speed. And he’s very, very good at measuring the distance. He knows his range. Timing is everything. Timing and distance. I’m not calling a knockout like Hatton because that fighter makes fundamental mistakes

“And this guy (Cotto) doesn’t make mistakes. He’s a sound fighter. He’s solid. And he’s very consistent. We have a tough fight ahead of us. By fight time he’s gonna be 160 pounds and Manny should be 147,” said Roach who should be in Manila on the 19th with sparring partners in tow.

Later on, Cotto, a plus 210 underdog against Pacquiao who’s at minus 250, was himself surrounded by scribes as he sat in the Yankee dugout. He seemed to have agreed with the observations of Roach regarding the fight.

“Well he’s (Pacquiao) better than Oscar dela Hoya who was taking the last steps in his career, and he’s better than Ricky Hatton who’s always over-rated – the guy he beat with a left hook in the second round,” said Cotto of Pacquiao’s last two opponents.

“But now he’s going to face Miguel Cotto – a guy who knows how to box. So, what he has to do in the ring, and what his corner knows Miguel Cotto can do they have to figure out. He’s coming to my division coming from what... 126? And he thinks he’s going to be stronger than a guy who’s been at 147,” he asked.

During the on-field press conference, Top Rank’s Bob Arum described Pacquiao as “the guy who stopped Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton.” And Cotto later on made some clarification.

“I heard Bob Arum say that, but I’m not Oscar dela Hoya and I’m not Ricky Hatton. I’m Miguel Cotto and everybody knows what Miguel Cotto is capable of doing. I will do my best,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great, great fight. I know Miguel Cotto is bigger than me and stronger but I will do my best to give you a good fight. I respect Miguel Cotto and his team. He’s a good man, a nice man. But, don’t worry. I’ll train hard for this fight,” Pacquiao told Filipino fight fans among the audience.

“Mabuhay. Lalaban ako hanggang sa huling patak ng aking dugo (Long live. I will fight until the last drop of my blood),” Pacquiao vowed.

Roach said he has lined up Shawn Porter, Ray Serrano, Urbano Antillon and Dave Rodela as Pacquiao’s sparring partners for the fight.

Roach said he had a good talk with Pacquiao the other night, following almost two months of no communication. He said they managed to work out things all right, and that once the training starts then it’s nothing but Cotto in the mind of the reigning pound-for-pound champion.

Roach said he doesn’t have any concerns with Pacquiao setting up camp in Baguio City, the gym, inside a hotel, to be strictly guarded to ward off any form of distraction.

“Afraid of distractions? I wouldn’t go there if I were afraid of that. The only issue in the Philippines is the travel. It’s a long flight. And flying in sparring partners for 15 hours is hard. But we had a great talk last night. A hundred percent there’ll be no mayors taking him out to campaign,” he said.

“We’re campaigning for Miguel Cotto right now,” added Roach.

Source: Philstar.com

I am not De La Hoya, Cotto says

BRONX, New York — Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto hardly spoke ill at each other Thursday afternoon that one would have thought they were band members about to embark on a worldwide tour when they took the dais for a press conference at the Yankee Stadium.

There was so much respect between Pacquiao, the pride and joy of the Philippines, and Cotto, the shining glory of Puerto Rico, that reporters barely had enough words to write on their notepads after the momentous affair.

Pacquiao, regarded today as boxing’s best pound-for-pound, described his 28-year-old opponent as “strong and big” and somebody not to be messed around with.

Even Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, who had been very vocal and blunt about the 30-year-old Pacquiao when he fought Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, was tight-lipped when asked about the possibility of another devastating Pacquiao win. He instead focused on the plus points of Cotto rather than his own fighter’s attributes.

Cotto also talked along that same line although he managed to sneak in some harsh words towards the end of his conversation with reporters.

“He’s facing Miguel Cotto who knows how to move inside the ring. I am not Oscar De La Hoya or Ricky Hatton,” said Cotto.

“I am going to train the hardest I have ever had in my career (for this fight with Pacquiao),” added Cotto.

It was amusing that the only abrasive remark spoken happened when Cotto’s father Miguel Sr., was given the chance to say a few words during the formal introductions.

And talk tough Cotto Sr. did.

“Since we have started working, we urge Mr. Roach to do the same with his fighter because we don’t want any excuses (after the fight). No excuses,” who sat beside his son.

Cotto Sr. was obviously referring to the fact that Pacquiao has yet to enter training camp while his son has already been working out the last five weeks.

Actually, Pacquiao’s preparations for Cotto took a giant step early Thursday when the southpaw braved the icy winds and jogged around Central Park, just a couple of blocks away from his suite at the Lowes Regency on Park Ave.

Meanwhile, the traveling circus shifts to Puerto Rico at noontime on Saturday when Pacquiao and Caguas host a press conference at the Centro de Bellas Artes in Cotto’s hometown of Caguas.

To prepare for that event, the respective camps of Pacquiao and Cotto as well as the promotional team from Top Rank are scheduled to head to Newark Airport in neighboring New Jersey on Friday to catch the 7 pm Continental Airlines flight to San Juan.

Source: Mb.com.ph

Pacquiao, Cotto next up for '24/7' treatment

There are still two episodes remaining in HBO's "Mayweather/Marquez 24/7" series, which is building up to next Saturday night's Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez pay-per-view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but already the network is getting started on its next batch of "24/7" episodes.

The acclaimed series (winner of seven well-deserved Sports Emmy Awards) has undergone a subtle name change for the next fight, for which it will take fans behind the scenes during the fighter training camps. This one will be "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto," which was made official Thursday at the Yankee Stadium news conference that kicked off the press tour for the much-anticipated Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao welterweight title bout Nov. 14, also at the MGM Grand.

The new four-episode series debuts Saturday, Oct. 24 (10:15 p.m. ET/PT), with the remaining episodes premiering Oct. 31 (11 p.m. ET/PT), Nov. 7 (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Nov. 13 (9:30 p.m. ET/PT). Once again, the final episode will air the night before the fight, which will allow HBO to cover what figures to be a festive weigh-in Friday afternoon.

"The '24/7' franchise provides an engaging and accurate look into the lives of boxers as they toil and sacrifice to get ready for a huge showdown in the ring," said Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports. "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are dynamic individuals in and out of the ring, and our cameras will be there to capture all the drama prior to their fall face-off."

Pacquiao has been featured on the show before in the lead-up to his big bouts against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Cotto, however, will be on the show for the first time.

One request, however, to HBO: Please, no more shots of a fighter drinking his own urine, as we saw last week with Marquez.

Source: Espn.com

Photos: Pacquiao vs Cotto, Yankee Stadium Mega Gallery

-=CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY=-
Source: Boxingscene.com

Cotto declares Pacquiao’s style not his business

NEW YORK — Miguel Cotto doesn’t give much attention to what Manny Pacquiao is up to, and that includes not being concerned by the fact that until now the Filipino hasn’t broken a sweat to train for their November 14 fight in Las Vegas.

“He knows what to do to get in shape for this fight,” Cotto told Filipino scribes in passable English at the lobby of the Le Parker Meridien on Wednesday afternoon after a four-hour flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“I told you it’s not a matter for me but a matter for him if he don’t train (early),” said Cotto, who sounded as though he felt slighted by the fact that Pacquiao continues to spend more time attending to shooting film and commercials.

“I am just training for my own benefit and what’s best for my career,” said the 28-year-old Cotto, who emerged from a full-sized black SUV looking unruffled and fit in a long-sleeved light-colored shirt, slim-fit jeans, and black leather shoes.

Cotto was very accommodating to the Filipino reporters, telling them that while it’s been widely reported that he’s neck-deep in training, it wasn’t really so.

“I haven’t really been training the whole week, but just training lightly. Yeah, I sparred but only a few times. Hard work will start when I go to my training camp in Tampa (in Florida). I just wanted to be prepared for the tough training weeks that lie ahead.”

Cotto, who barely scraped past Joshua Clottey of Ghana last June, said he currently weighs “between 159 and 161 lbs” and is not even worried that he won’t be able to drop down to the agreed catch weight of 145 lbs without sacrificing strength.

Joining Cotto in the tour are his lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano, aide Bryan Perez, and conditioning coach Phil Landman.

This afternoon at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Pacquiao and Cotto engage in a staredown and assess their respective chances to the delight of fight fans followed by a series of photo shoots and interviews.

After the Big Apple, Pacquiao and Cotto will fly to Puerto Rico for another event at the Centro de Bellas Artes in Cotto’s hometown of Caguas. Then the tour makes a stop in San Francisco, Los Angeles and finally to San Diego.

Source: Mb.com.ph

Pacquiao admits he’s far from fighting form

NEW YORK — On the way to the gate at Hong Kong airport for the connecting flight to JFK International on Wednesday, Manny Pacquiao made a startling admission as he prepares for a five-city press tour for the November 14 fight with Miguel Cotto that kicks off at noontime Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

“Kung ngayon kami maglalaban ni Cotto, talo tayo (If Cotto and me fight today, I’d lose),” said Pacquiao in-between stopping for pictures with giggling Filipino passengers.

Of course, it’s been common knowledge that while he has yet to begin training camp, Cotto has been training in Puerto Rico the past month.

“Medyo nasa kundisyon na ang kalaban pero tayo papasok pa lang (My opponent is already feeling good in training while I haven’t started mine),” said Pacquiao, who is being joined in the tour of New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

As Cotto was sweating it out under the watchful eyes of trainer Joe Santiago and conditioning coach Phil Landman, Pacquiao was spending countless nights in front of the camera, fulfilling all his showbiz commitments so that when he enters training camp as soon as he gets back to the Philippines, there’ll be no more distractions.

Still, Pacquiao remains upbeat that eight weeks of punishment in Baguio will be more than enough to propel him past another marquee name in the sport.

“Partida ko na sa kanya na hindi pa ako nag-eensayo (I am giving him a big plus by not training early),” added Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is billeted at the Loews Regency Hotel on Park Ave., while Cotto is staying at the Le Parker Meridien on Ave. of the Americas and 57th Street.

To make it a memorable stay, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum went to the extent of getting his flagship fighter a suite that has a piano.

Before leaving for Puerto Rico for a press conference there on Saturday, Pacquiao will drop by the New York Times office on Friday for a round-table discussion also featuring Arum and trainer Freddie Roach.

Times staffer Greg Bishop is doing a story on Pacquiao, according to publicist Lee Samuels, who has also received requests for interviews from Time magazine, Wall Street Journal and other outfits.

Source: Mb.com.ph

Pacquiao vs Cotto: Manny Begins The Hectic Tour

Filipino boxing hero and the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao is set to begin a hectic schedule on a promotional tour for his “Fire Power” showdown against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the champion had "a good rest on the flight from Manila to New York" after wrapping up his commitments in the Philippines which included shooting a movie, TV shows, commercial endorsements and other activities.

Pacquiao gave way to his musical inclinations when he began playing the grand piano in his New York hotel suite shortly after being checked in.

Pacquiao is in New York along with Cotto, the pride of Puerto Rico, to kick-off their cross country, five city tour with a huge press conference at the spanking new, state-of-the art Yankee Stadium on Friday, Manila Time.

The two fighters will fly to Cotto’s hometown in Puerto Rico for a big media event on the 12th after which they will leave for San Francisco where there will be another big media affair at the Giants stadium before they return to Los Angeles for a 4:00 p.m. gathering at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday.

They will wind up the promotional tour in San Diego before getting into the serious business of preparing for their eagerly-anticipated title fight with Pacquiao returning to the Philippines to train in the summer capital of Baguio City along with trainer Freddie Roach. Pacquiao told us he planned to train f or one month in the refreshing Baguio environment at an altitude of over 5,000 feet before winding up his preparation at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and tapering off in Las Vegas.

An added attraction which according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum drove the fighters "crazy" was the newly-minted “WBC Diamond Belt” which will be at stake in the clash of what WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman described as “elite fighters.”

Pacquiao was elated when he received his Diamond Belt jacket in his hotel suite and indicated there is added motivation for him to win his record-setting 7th world title in the clash with Cotto.

Despite some concern over Pacquiao’s numerous commitments in the Philippines which some experts feel may tell on his shortened training stint, both Pacquiao and his conditioning excpert Alex Ariza are confident that an eight week schedule was perfect, as anything longer would result in Pacquiao being burned out or over-trained.

Not known to many, Pacquiao actually trained secretly during breaks in his rigorous schedule by jogging and playing basketball. At a luncheon hosted by Solar Sports for Pacquiao and IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria, prior to their departure, Pacquiao looked trim and fit and indicated he was around 150 pounds or some five pounds over the catch-weight of 145 pounds for the Cotto fight.

Viloria was also scheduled to leave for Los Angeles on Thursday along with his girlfriend Erica Navarro.

Source: Boxingscene.com

Pacquiao vs Cotto 24/7 Sneak Peek

Manny at the Piano

Pacquiao vs Cotto Official Press Tour Teaser

Pacquiao's Camp: Fernandez Approves Baguio City

Trainer Buboy Fernandez has inspected the location in Baguio City, Philippines for the upcoming training camp of Manny Pacquiao. The pound-for-pound king plans to use Baguio City to train for the fight with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach will be forced to join the camp in the Philippines. He urged Pacquiao to use a facility in Toluca, Mexico. Roach feared the possibility of media and fan distractions if they held the training camp in the Philippines.

Fernandez said the facilities available up there are perfect for Pacquiao. He says Roach will have nothing to worry about because security will be extra tight to prevent reporters and fans from distracting Pacquiao during camp. Pacquiao plans to spend five to six weeks in the Philippines before he head out to the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles to finish up.

“I have inspected the gym and discovered a perfect running area that Manny will use once he begins training here soon,” said Fernandez to The Manila Bulletin. "I think coach Freddie will like it once he sees what Baguio has to offer. Coach Freddie need not worry about distractions and I can assure him that we’ll be focused during training.”

Source: Boxingscene.com

Pacquiao to start promo tour for bout

MANILA, Philippines - Late nights will soon be over for Manny Pacquiao.

The world’s best boxer today is set to embark on a whirlwind press tour of five key cities to mark the start of his preparations for the Nov. 14 clash with WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

He leaves for New York on Wednesday to be at the Yankees Stadium at noon of Sept. 10 for the launch of the press tour that would take him and Cotto to Caguas, Puerto Rico on Sept. 12, the AT&T Park in San Francisco for the Giants-Dodgers match on Sept. 13, the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on Sept. 14 and the PETCO Park in San Diego (Pacquiao only) for the Padres-Diamondbacks match on Sept. 15.

After a day or two, Pacquiao heads back to the Philippines, hopefully with his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, on hand, for the start of his training in Baguio City. According to plans, Pacquiao will train in the country’s summer capital, and would move to the Wild Card Gym in LA three weeks before the showdown.

Once training starts, it means no more late nights, parties, and shooting of movies and commercials for the 30-year-old icon who said the other day that while he was very busy the last couple of months he made sure he knew his limitations.

“There are some late nights because I worked on my showbiz career. But I made sure I get enough rest. I know my body. Sinigurado ko naman na sapat din ang pahinga ko kahit na medyo napupuyat,” said Pacquiao, who vowed to give it all once training starts.

While his tireless Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, worked for possible training sites in Mexico or Vancouver, Pacquiao chose Baguio City, and has asked Roach to come over as soon as the press tour is done and over with.

Pacquiao the other day cleared the air on the rumored rift between him and Roach regarding the training, and on some things being written about Koncz.

“Things are being said and written about Mike Koncz but to set it straight he’s just doing his job. I like him because he gets the job done. And contrary to what’s being said, it’s not him calling the shots. I do. He only does what I tell him to do. Masipag siya (He’s hardworking),” said Pacquiao of Koncz.

Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is now up in Baguio for an ocular inspection of the possible training camp inside Teachers’ Village. The route that will cover Pacquiao’s roadwork, both flat and mountainous courses, is being laid out by Fernandez.

He said eight weeks should be enough to get him in tip-top fighting form and everybody who knows the pride of Saranggani Province in Mindanao could attest to the fact that when he trains he trains like no other.

Tax laws have prevented Pacquiao from staying in the US for the duration of his eight-week training as aliens like him are only given so much time to stay there. He is close to his limit (180 days in three years), and if he goes beyond that he will be heavily taxed.

Source: Philstar.com

Pacquiao is surely inspired by Sonsona's victory

The Philippines is again blessed with another upcoming boxing superstar in Marvin Sonsona, the newly crowned WBO Super Flyweight Champion. Sonsona just dethroned Jose "Carita" Lopez of Puerto Rico. But I will not talk about that fight, rather, tell you that this fight is surely an inspiration to Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming mega fight with Miguel Cotto also of Puerto Rico.

The rivalry between the Philippines and Puerto Rico in boxing has been a favorite subject in some news articles I have read recently. Sonsona's fight with Lopez is the first installment to a three scheduled fights within this year pitting boxers from the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Next in line is next week's rematch between Philippines' Rodel Mayol against WBO junior flyweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico. And finally, the most anticipated fight of the year, top pound for pound Pacquiao moves up again in weight to challenge Cotto's WBO welterweight belt.

In this three fights, all are championship bouts with all the Filipino fighters trying to snatch the Boricuas' belts. Philippines now leads 1-0 as Sonsona defeated Lopez for the WBO Super Flyweight belt.

Pacquiao is surely inspired by Sonsona's victory as he wants to win the most important fight of the Philippines/Puerto Rico rivalry series. Being the challenger at 19 years old, Sonsona proved the world that he can handle pressure from a great boxer in Lopez, whose 16 fight-win streak has been broken. Pacquiao will also prove the world that he can handle Cotto's pressure despite the latter's size and strength advantages.

Miguel Cotto – Adjustments, Set & Go!

Anyone who knows even a little about boxing or has followed Miguel Cotto’s career will tell you that one of his strongest qualities as a fighter is his ability to adjust in the fight given what his opponent might bring that night. That is what earned him hard fought victories again the likes of Joshua Clottey, Shane Mosely, and Zab Judah. While many have questioned his events outside the ring, he is no different in that department.

The reports of Miguel starting his training camp early and how impressed his conditioning coach Phil Landman has been, are well know by boxing enthusiasts. What hasn’t been discussed is the non-obvious reasons as to why.

The obvious? This is Cotto’s biggest fight of his career. A fight that will solidify his stake on the mythical P4P list, but more importantly will determine his legacy. With that said, that should be enough to motivate Cotto and Pacquiao as well, to prepare more intensely than any other time in their careers. Ah, but with Cotto there is always something more. If you look at Cotto’s interviews since his lost to Margarito, and put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Cotto knows what a win over Pacquiao means. It means a potential showdown with Mayweather, a fighter that Cotto is confident he can defeat, and more significantly a rematch with Margarito and the opportunity to redeem himself. Then? A ride into the sunset, retiring young, healthy, and on top of the game. Sound ambitious? Sure it does. Is it possible? For Cotto, absolutely! Cotto is as determined a fighter as I have seen in recent years. His dedication is far above his love for the sport. He dedicates himself to achieving success.

Last week Cotto made yet another adjustment. One that should be concerning to Pacman and his corner. He moved his training in Puerto Rico to a gym that provides 20’ X 20’, and 24’ X 24’ rings. The ring they will fight in on November, will indeed be a 20’ X 20’ ring. Miguel Cotto is preparing himself to chase Pacquiao around the ring if needed.

He understands that in order for him to win the fight in Las Vegas, he will have to put a beating on Pacquiao. And he has all the intentions in the world to do just that. If Pacquiao stands in front of Cotto and exchanges power punches, Cotto feels that he will land the one that will end the night. If Pacquiao runs around the ring, Cotto will find him. Another adjustment made by Miguel Cotto with serious intentions.

On November 14, the fastest, most dangerous fighter he has ever faced will step up and give Cotto plenty of work. Many say that Pacquiao’s speed will be the difference in this fight. And that is a very valid point and could be true. However, I would not put my money on that. Cotto’s ability to adjust and find a weakness in his opponent will be the difference in my opinion.

Whether he uses his timing, boxing ability, or his raw strength, he will have done what he wanted to do all along. That is adjust, set up the showdown with Mayweather and Margarito, and go on to retire and never look back. If that is the way Cotto goes out, then here’s to one of the greatest fighters to lace ‘em up in many years. In about 10 weeks we will begin to answer some of these questions.

Will Cotto take the next step to the top, or will he have to adjust again? Either way, as fans we will witness the best fight of the year on November 14. If ever I’ve been so sure about a fight living up to its potential, it is this one. And like Cotto, we too will have to make an adjustment; which fight party to attend on November 14.

Source: Boxingnews24.com

Miguel Cotto's Work Out Videos

Source: Youtube.com

Who can stop Pacquiao's movements?

Since his fight with the then WBC lightweight champ David Diaz, Manny Pacquiao has been remarkable with his footwork, hand speed and in and out movements against bigger opponents. He has made Diaz look old and slow with his footwork and hand speed. He frustrated Oscar dela Hoya with his in and out movements and sharpshooting abilities. He was able to avoid Ricky Hatton's pressure by throwing fast combinations right before Hatton can impose his strength and size advantages. These vast improvements from Manny has solidified his top pound for pound status and has brought him to the list of the all time greats.

According to Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter since 2007, Manny is on top of the sport but he does not stop learning with the guidance of Freddie Roach. "He keeps getting better and better and that's what Champions should be" Arum told in previous interviews. If we see yet another better Manny Pacquiao, what can Cotto do to stop him? How can he stop Manny's movements?

This will be a tough job to do but I believe only a fighter who is as fast and has the same footwork as Manny, could contain if not stop the Pacman's movements. Cotto has hand speed and footwork too. He has proven that he can frustrate a fighter with hand speed and footwork when he beat Sugar Shane Mosley. However, he barely won that fight. Also, Mosley is not as fast as Manny and does not have the in and out movements. Cotto was not able to avoid Antonio Margarito's pressure. And just recently, he struggled with Joshua Clottey who most of the fight just stood infront of Cotto. Again, he barely won that fight. If Cotto does not come up with the right game plan to stop Manny's movements, he might end up like Pacquiao's previous opponents.

Who can stop Pacquiao's movements? This could be a good debate within the sport as Manny is now the face of boxing as its pound for pound best. For sure, many would want to have a try. But who among them has the best chance. Who has the same hand speed and foot work that could probably match Manny's movements and give the Pacman a hell of a fight? So far, the best candidate would be Floyd Mayweather. But until we see him beat Pacquiao, we can say Pacquiao is unstoppable.

Ring Size Does Matter

There has been a confusion lately brought about by the statements made by Miguel Cotto's chief trainer Joe Santiago claiming that Manny Pacquiao's people has requested for a 20-foot ring. He also told Pimera Hora that Pacquiao made such request to use it to their advantage saying Pacquiao needs to use a large ring to give him more space for his in and out movements. Santiago through believes their game plan can frustrate Manny's in and out movements and is confident that Cotto will be prepared for this.

On the contrary, Top Rank chief Bob Arum has denied such claim saying nobody from the Pacquiao camp has requested a larger ring. He told boxingscene that neither camp has made such request and even if Pacquiao did, he won't be able to get his request as there is a rule in the Nevada State Athletic Commission stating that every boxing match should be fought inside a 20-foot ring. An exception can be made by the NSAC Commissioner Keith Kizer but Pacquiao would not probably get it should he make a request.

Regardless if this is true or not, what does a larger ring mean to Pacquiao and Cotto? Knowing how Pacquiao outboxed and outworked Oscar dela Hoya when he moved in and out, jumped in with combinations and jumped right out before dela Hoya can throw a punch, Pacquiao will definitely benefit from a larger ring. Although Cotto is not as fast as Manny, he can move better than Dela Hoya. This might give Manny some problems. However, I do not see any problems with Manny using the 20-ft ring compared to a 24-ft ring. He was able to use it against Oscar, Hatton and everybody else. Cotto may be able to catch him at some point but Manny's footwork will be too much. The ring size will be just enough to play out whatever battle plan Pacquiao and Freddie Roach has to beat Cotto.

Cotto has the advantage if the fight is made inside a smaller ring or if Manny decides to stand in front of Cotto and trade punches. He can pressure Manny with his strength and size advantage. But Manny will not allow this, so expect him to move in and out, jump in and out, use the ring very well and dictate the tempo. Cotto will need some chasing to do in order to capitlalize on his advantages. But with Manny, that is one tough job to accomplish.