Pacquiao VS Cotto

Cotto Insists On Victory
Champion insists he won't let Pacman take his title away in Las Vegas

Although he will go into the fight as the underdog, Miguel Cotto insists he will beat Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Cotto defends his WBO welterweight crown against the Filipino superstar at the MGM Grand on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1.

Pacquiao is looking to take home a seventh world title as he continues to rise up the weights without too many problems, but Cotto says this time it is a step too far.

The Puerto Rican is adamant that Pacquiao will not find it so easy this time around, and vowed to come away with his title intact.

"If he thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent," said Cotto.

"If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong."

Knockout

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach says Cotto could be knocked out in the very first round, but Cotto has scoffed at such suggestions.

"Forget about Freddie Roach," he said. "The only thing Freddie can do is train Manny. He can't go over the ropes and into the ring to fight against Miguel Cotto. He can only train Manny the best he can.

"He may say and think Manny will knock me out but at the end of the day, it is just Manny and Miguel Cotto in the ring.

"No matter what kind of things Freddie Roach says before the fight, I have a very strong mind. The psyche game? I'm not going to follow that game."

There have also been suggestions that the Pacquiao camp are already planning for a superfight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. next March, but Cotto warned that he must be their main focus.

Focus

"What they say and what they do does not concern me," Cotto added. "They know what they have in front of him. He better be focused on what they will have in front of him in Miguel Cotto.

"Once I beat Manny Pacquiao they can continue their plans and do what they want but I am not going home without winning this fight."

Instead it could be Cotto facing Mayweather should he win on Saturday night.

Asked about the prospect of such a fight, Cotto said: "I am here for the big names and ready for the hot opponents. That's what boxing needs for the guys at the top to fight other guys at the top, like it was 20 years ago. Make the fights that fans want to watch.

"I am here for any boxer that wants to fight Miguel Cotto. They have to start with my company and I am more than ready to fight the biggest names in boxing."

Pacquiao VS Cotto

Let him run, attack - either way he loses, says Pacquiao
Philstar.com

SAN FRANCISCO — Manny Pacquiao has already drawn up the scenarios for his Nov. 14 title fight with Miguel Cotto.

As he waited for the nine-hour flight out of San Juan, Puerto Rico to San Francisco via Atlanta yesterday, the Filipino crowd-drawer bared his deeper thoughts on the upcoming fight.

“Magandang laban (Good fight),” said Pacquiao, comfortably seated at the departure area, just after he had finished reading a few pages of the book “Builder of Dreams” by Antonio Meloto.

“Eto, ah, sasabihin ko sa inyo (This, I will tell you),” he continued.

“Tatakbo sa akin yan. If I press the fight I’m sure he would run. At kapag naghintay naman ako, papasok yan (And if I wait, he’ll come in),” said the reigning pound-for-pound champion.

In short, Pacquiao thinks that either way would be to his advantage, considering that he has both the speed, to catch Cotto somewhere along the way, and the power to put him down.

“Ganyan ang mangyayari, tumakbo man siya or pumasok siya, okay sa akin,” said Pacquiao, his pre-game analysis cut short by a line of Puerto Rican fans wanting to take pictures with him.

From fellow passengers to airport personnel and even the police, all of them wanted to be close to Pacquiao. One of them said, “I may be the only Puerto Rican rooting for you. Believe me. You’re a great fighter.”

It was around three in the afternoon, and a couple of hours earlier Pacquiao and Cotto were at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas, right in the heart of the WBO champion’s hometown.

More than a thousand packed the theater, and they cheered wildly as Pacquiao and Cotto made a dramatic entrance, slowly rising through a hydraulic box that had kept them beneath an elevated stage.

Key members of both camps, along with some Puerto Rican officials, were introduced by Top Rank president Bob Arum.

Cotto, in an elegant brown suit, spoke in Spanish and was cheered on, while Pacquiao, more casual in a white shirt, blue jeans and running shoes, spoke in English.

Even the Puerto Ricans cheered him on, and there were even chants of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” as he took the microphone. He said, “I’m sure you will all root for Cotto because he’s your countryman. But thank you for supporting me, too.”

Before their explosive stage appearance, Pacquiao and Cotto held separate interviews in separate rooms with the Puerto Rican media. Cotto came with his lovely wife and four kids, while Pacquiao was with his lean entourage.

At one point, however, they ended up in the same room when they were not supposed to, and Pacquiao sat beside Cotto, shaking hands and again smiling, talking to one another like they were old friends.

Pacquiao and his men checked in at the trendy El San Juan Hotel and Casino past midnight Friday, and checked out of the hotel by the beach before 10 a.m. headed to the press conference and straight to the airport.

A line of black, heavily-tinted Ford Excursions, with burly bodyguards in dark suits, brought Pacquiao and Cotto to the arts center, and the convoy, with police motorcycle escorts, drove swiftly for 45 minutes like it was carrying the President.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, did most of the talking during the interview, and faced tough questions on the schedule of their training which won’t start until Sept. 21 in Baguio City, while Cotto has been training for four weeks now.

“No one dictates our time but Manny and me. If they already started I don’t care. I know my job and we know what we’re doing,” said Roach.

“We’ll be in great shape and we’ll be ready to go 12 rounds. We want to take the rounds one at a time and if the knockout comes then it comes. We know he (Cotto) has a good chin but we’re gonna take away his advantage and use ours,” he added.

Pacquiao could only agree.
***
Wish it's Pacquiao-Cotto fight because it's gonna be a big fight.
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Pacquiao VS Cotto

No rift with Roach: Pacman prefers Baguio training for Cotto tiff
By Abac Cordero

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao yesterday cleared the air as to where and when he’d like to start training for his upcoming fight with Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao also said there’s no rift between him and his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, and they’d finalize the training schedule during the fight’s press tour next week.

Then the reigning pound-for-pound champion said Baguio remains as his choice as training headquarters. In fact, he said his Filipino trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is now up in Baguio.

“He’s up there to check the facilities,” said Pacquiao of the country’s summer capital, chilly most of the year, around 150 miles north of Manila and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Roach said Baguio is not an ideal place to train because of the distractions (too many fans and tourists), and has offered a secluded resort in Toluca, Mexico, instead.

Bob Arum of Top Rank wants Vancouver, but in the end it’s Pacquiao who makes the call, and as it is, it’s Baguio for the main bulk of his training for the Nov. 14 title fight with Cotto.

Pacquiao said he will discuss things with Roach when they hook up next week for the press tour in New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

“Then maybe from there he can come along with me, and we’d start training in Baguio. It won’t be short. Kailangan niya pumunta dito (He needs to come here),” said Pacquiao.

He said eight weeks should be enough to get him in top shape for the fight, and said the last three weeks he might move to the Wild Card Gym in LA for the final push.

“I understand our countrymen or my fans feeling worried about my training. I want to assure them that I’m not taking it for granted. I know myself. I know that eight weeks should do it,” he added.

Pacquiao faced the press yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas and announced his latest partnership with Solar Sports, led by Wilson Tieng and Peter Chanliong, regarding a new promotional outfit.

Together, they’re setting up an outfit that would help promote more Filipino fighters for fights overseas.

“Basically we’ll engage in the business of production, promotion and distribution of boxing shows to the world market, not only here in the Philippines. We have a lot of boxers who can fight on an international scale,” said Chanliong.

The Solar Sports chief operating officer said the outfit, which will be named soon, will not have any direct clash with the Manny Pacquiao Promotions which “has its own business.”

Chanliong said that in the new outfit, Pacquiao will be the “chairman and the boss” and that we’ll help “Manny make more money” as if Pacquiao is not yet close to being a Filipino billionaire.

“More money?” Pacquiao cut in.

He also said he’s now at 150 lb which is just five pounds off the catchweight agreed upon by both boxers.

“No problem,” he added, just enough to assure everyone that there’s really none.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao got another promotion in the army reserve force, this time being installed as sergeant major of his unit.

From being a master sergeant, Pacquiao was promoted to the rank of senior master sergeant, the second highest rank for enlisted personnel.

“Master Sgt. Manny Pacquiao was given the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army,” said Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, army spokesman.

Pacquiao was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal for the honor he has given the country in his past fights and serving as inspirations for many of the Filipinos, Burgos said.

In his speech, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who also attended the event, said that the boxing champ, instead of joining other civic organizations decided to “volunteer for Team AFP and don the military uniform where he could be of service to the country.”

He said that his fights are no longer a quest for personal achievement, but for the honor of the country that is truly proud of his feats in sports.

“Even groups who are fighting against each other stop just to watch Manny fight,” he said. with report from James Mananghaya.
***
Another must see fight by pacman.
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What If Cotto BEATS Pacquiao?

I won't be surprised if Cotto beats Pacquiao
by Dennis "dSource" Guillermo

It befuddles me how a lot of people are giving Manny Pacquiao such a big edge against Miguel Cotto. To me, this fight is an absolute toss-up. If I was a Miguel Cotto fan, I'd bet on Cotto since the odds in Las Vegas have him as a 2-1 underdog.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Miguel Cotto is Pacquiao's toughest challenge to date. He is naturally so much bigger (with the exception of the washed-up Oscar De la Hoya) and stronger than anybody Pacquiao has had to face. In terms of skill, Cotto will be able to give Pacquiao fits. Cotto is a very good counter puncher in his own rite and throws textbook sweet punches from all angles.

Before Pacquiao fans jump at me without fully comprehending the context of this column, allow me to state my case. See, I am by no means belittling Pacquiao's capabilities, what I am trying to say however is that Cotto is definitely the biggest mountain Pacquiao will have to climb. To me, he is far more dangerous than Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao's past two performances against De la Hoya and Ricky Hatton were incredible indeed and Pacquiao deserves all the credit in the world he gets from both feats. Cotto though, is in a totally different league from those last two guys Pacquiao beat. Call him damaged goods all you want, but to me that is a myth. Had Cotto faced the same De la Hoya and Hatton Pacquiao did, I have no doubt he would've came away with similar results.

Cotto's true weakness for me however is his heart. A confident Cotto is a different fighter compared to a hesitant and pressured version of him. When in doubt and backed up, Cotto wavers and second-guesses himself. That's the reason why I think he quit against Margarito, and the reason why he faded against Clottey after sustaining a nasty cut from a head-butt. Against Pacquiao, he will be fighting someone whom he will have to kill before he gives up. On Pacquiao's part, he will really need all his heart can muster to beat Cotto.

Pacquiao keeps coming. When hurt, "The Pacman" pounds his fists and goes to work. His granite chin will be put to the test against a legitimate welterweight but not more than how Cotto's will be tested by a true knockout artist. If I were Cotto right now, I'd have someone ocassionaly hit the right side of my face with a baseball bat so I can get used to Pacquiao's game finishing left fist.

If Cotto survives all the best Pacquiao throws at him and fights the way he does against overmatched oppoenents, his skill and size advantage may very well be more than enough to beat the pound-for-pound king. If Juan Manuel Marquez's right was able to stagger Pacquiao a year ago, a perfectly placed counter punch by Cotto on an unsuspecting and attacking Pacquiao can definitely lay the Pacman out.

This fight is simply too intriguing and too close for me to predict and besides, it's still too early to do all of that anyway.

If I based it solely on size, strength, skill, talent and their capabilites, I might even say Cotto has a slight edge, but what most people fail to put proper value in the equation is Pacquiao's tenacity, heart and ferocity. He comes at you in a way only "Iron Mike" Tyson reminds me back in his hay days. It will also be interesting to see how Cotto will fight and react to a passionate and boisterous crowd that will be rooting against him. Most of his fights were enjoyed in the comforts of the Madison Square Garden in New York in front of a pro-Puerto Rican crowd.

Don't hate Pauli Malignaggi for favoring Cotto to beat Pacquiao by KO when he said "the guy (Cotto) hits like a beast." Cotto did afterall make him taste defeat. What Malignaggi hasn't seen however, is a devil of a fighter like Pacquiao in the ring. He may know Cotto to be a beast but Pacquiao is definitely a beast slayer. Pacquiao can definitely slaughter the biggest beasts with the power in his fists and his blinding speed.

With that said, in a story-book ending, the hero likely kills the beast. This is reality however- boxing of all things- all I'm saying is that I would not be surprised if this time the beast actually eats the hero's head off. Anything can happen, that's why this fight is so intriguing and that's why it's already sold out. It's going to be explosive and exciting unlike other mega-fights that rely on hype and advertising. And just like ticket buyers and fight fans alike, I simply could not wait to see this epic.

***
I'll still bet for Pacman
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Pacquiao VS Cotto

Ticket Alert: Pacquiao-Cotto
"FirePower" On Sale Aug. 17

The date is set for the mega-fight between boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound king Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto, “FirePower” will take place Saturday, Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. PST/6 p.m. PST. Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 go on sale Monday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Ticket are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 14,” said Top Rank Chief Executive Officer Bob Arum. Top Rank is currently working on a major media tour to commence immediately following Labor Day weekend. Details will be announced in the near future.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque” as he won world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocked out Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta. The winning streak continued in 2009 when he won another world title in a new weight division, dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a second-round knockout in May at MGM Grand.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006. He successfully defended it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title earlier this year as he knocked out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO Welterweight Champion. Notable victories on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Pauli Malinaggi and Demarcus Corley.

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, has a suggested retail price of $49.95.

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Pacquiao VS Cotto

Cotto’s title on the line vs Pacquiao
By NICK GIONGCO

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) removed one of Manny Pacquiao’s concerns when it announced Sunday that Miguel Cotto will defend his welterweight crown in a catch weight of 145 lbs — and not 147 lbs — against the Filipino boxing icon.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel told the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia that (the fight) it’s going to be for the (WBO) title” and that everything will come to a “happy ending” for both parties.

Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal said he had spoken with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum also yesterday, assuring him that the fight will be at 145 lbs and that Cotto’s WBO throne will be on the line in the super showdown penciled at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Cotto had insisted a few days back that if Pacquiao wants to go after the WBO crown, the fight will have to be at 147 lbs.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said fighting Cotto in a non-title bout is almost without value.

Now that it appears that a major stumbling block has been cleared, next up for discussion would be the crucial choice of finding a new training camp for Pacquiao, who has been advised by the Harvard-educated lawyer to set up the first half of his training camp outside US territory owing to an IRS regulation called the Substantial Presence Test.

Arum, whose promotional outfit Top Rank is staging the megabuck fight, will embark on a huge promotional tour of four cities in September, kicking off with the lead event at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 10.

The next stops will be in Cotto’s hometown of Caguas in Puerto Rico on Sept. 12, AT&T Park in San Francisco on Sept. 13 and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles on Sept. 14.

Then, the two will head to their respective training camps with Cotto going to Tampa, Florida, and Pacquiao in the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico or the Philippines.

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