Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto - Latest Boxing News Update

Jinkee no-show in Mannys victory party

2009-11-19T01:10:00.001-08:00

MANILA – Amid persistent speculations about his alleged affair with sexy star Krista Ranillo, People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao has lashed back at his detractors for focusing too much on his private life instead of his feat.

“Kaya siguro tayo hindi umaasenso, pinakikialaman nila ang personal na buhay ng iba. Ang sa akin, siguro pagtuunan lang [natin] ng pansin [ang] dapat trabahuhin [natin]. Hindi ‘yong private life [ko],” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN News.

He added: “Sana i-honor nila ‘yong na-achieve kong achievement para sa ating mga Filipino. Like what I said, alisin muna natin ang tinatawag nating crab mentality. Nakikiusap ako sa inyong lahat na… magkaisa tayong lahat para masaya tayong lahat.”

The People’s Champ, however, still refused to put all speculations to rest.

“No comment ako about that issue. Tahimik lang ako. Bahala na silang mag magke-kuwento,” he said.

Speculations about Pacquiao and Ranillo’s alleged affair surfaced after the two began shooting for their film “Wapakman.” Rumor has it that the two were spotted spending time together in Hong Kong.

Ranillo’s talent manager, Arnold Vegafria, has already dismissed the speculations, saying that the boxer and the sexy star were just “good friends.”

The rumors have reportedly put a strain on Pacquiao’s marriage. This was apparent during a Thanksgiving mass held after his bout with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, burst into tears as the priest, in his homily, talked about love and the importance of family.

Footage showed that Pacquiao tried to console Jinkee but she shunned him. She instead turned to her female friend for comfort.

Meanwhile, when asked if Ranillo was aware of the rumors, Vegafria said: "She's very aware of what's happening but she just laughed it off. And I spoke to her, she denied it. Sabi niya sa akin Manny is a married man and hindi siya pwedeng makisali. So ganoon, hanggang friends lang.” - Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

Floyd Mayweather Jr Provokes Manny Pacquiao

2009-11-16T01:59:00.001-08:00

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Interview , "I'll easily beat Manny Pacquiao" *EXCLUSIVE* Floyd Mayweather Jr Provokes Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao Boxing History

2009-11-15T19:46:00.001-08:00

Replay Pacquiao vs Cotto Full Fight Video HBO Boxing

2009-11-15T17:53:00.001-08:00

For those who requested the Pacquiao vs Cotto Full Fight Video HBO Boxing, here it is. The video is as complete as possible, includes the national anthem, the entire fight, the decision video, and the interview.

This is different from the Sky Sports version with different commentator. This HBO version has commentator includes Jim Lampley, Emmanuel Stewart, and Larry Merchant.

Pacquiao vs Cotto Full Fight Video HBO Boxing

Pacquiao WINS over Cotto

2009-11-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

Once again, Pacquiao dominates Cotto the boxing ring! Referre called out the game was over after round 12. Cotto suffered loads of bloody punches and Cotto's bleeding face.

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2009-11-14T20:28:00.001-08:00

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2009-11-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-14T18:19:00.001-08:00

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2009-11-14T17:40:00.000-08:00

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2009-11-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

Manny Pacquaio vs Miguel Cotto Official Update for the Public

2009-11-09T00:50:00.001-08:00

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – This Tuesday! November 10, boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound king of the ring and the box office and the reigning Fighter of the Year, MANNY “PacMan” PACQUIAO, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion MIGUEL COTTO, will make their MGM Grand Arrivals, officially kicking off Fight Week for Fire Power -- their sold out welterweight championship mega fight. Pacquiao and Cotto will arrive at the MGM Grand's Front Lobby Porte Cochere at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. PT, respectively. The event is open to the public and the media.

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. Defending WBO welterweight champion Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: COTTO vs. PACQUIAO, will take place, Saturday, November 14, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.pacmancotto.com, www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

HBO's® fast-moving reality series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with the premiere of the finale This Friday! Nov. 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. HBO will replay episodes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 consecutively prior to the premiere of episode No. 4. The replays begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Nov. 13. Episodes Nos. 1-3 are also available on HBO ON DEMAND.

Seven of the MGM MIRAGE properties along The Strip will host closed circuit viewing in conjunction with Pacquiao vs. Cotto. The resorts include MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Circus Circus and Excalibur. Remaining tickets for the closed circuit telecast at all venues are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges and handling fees. All seats will be general admission and will be available at each individual property’s box office outlets and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or visit www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to 20 per person.

Manny Pacquaio vs Miguel Cotto Official Update for the Public

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Manny Doesn’t Look Focused

2009-11-09T00:49:00.001-08:00

After watching HBO’s Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 episode 2 last Saturday night, I couldn’t help but notice how disengaged Manny Pacquiao appeared to be while preparing for his November 14th fight with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. Not only did Pacquiao look distracted as he one person after another vying for his attention, but Pacquiao also was getting pummeled in his sparring session with Shawn Porter.

This is really bad. I was hoping that Cotto would be facing a motivated and well trained Pacquiao, but the way Manny looks now, he’s going to get mowed down if he goes in the ring looking that. Pacquiao looks like he’s going to the gallows as the days draw closer to his epic fight with Cotto. I can’t remember seeing a more demotivated fighter in all my days. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, tried to give Pacquiao a pep talk after an especially bad sparring session but Pacquiao wasn’t meeting his eyes and didn’t seem to be attentive to what Roach was saying to him.

Roach let Pacquiao walk away without making sure that he understood what he had been telling him. I couldn’t believe it as I watched the whole scenario. Roach needed to make sure that Pacquiao was following what he was saying. I would have asked Pacquiao, “Do you understand me?” Roach is a nice guy and all, but he needs to be more assertive with Pacquiao because he’s not firm enough with the Filipino star.

I would have gotten in Pacquiao’s face and jammed him up for the way that he sparred with Porter. He looked really bad. Not only that, I’d have Pacquiao toeing the line. There wouldn’t be any basketball games or singing on television programs. God that was some awful singing if you ask me. Sounded like a wounded hound dog. The HBO 24/7 camera men could have done well to leave that bit out of the telecast.

Frankly, the entire episode 2 was painfully boring to watch, worse than any other 24/7 I’ve seen before. That’s saying a lot, because I’ve seen some really bad 24/7 episodes in the past couple of years. It seems like the whole bunch of them were sleep walking through the entire episode. What was especially sickening was the different players trying to curry favor with Pacquiao, as if he were some kind of king. I could never do that myself.

I’d give Pacquiao the straight talk and tell him to quit with the singing and make him ignore the boxing fans that are all over him trying to meet him. I’d have him with blinders on out in the some god forsaken place putting him through a torturous training camp that he’d never forget. Pacquiao might hate me afterwards, but at least he’d win the fight against Cotto. But the way that Pacquiao’s training camp appears to be going, I don’t give him a chance in hell of winning.

Pacquiao looks spaced out, distracted by something and not focused on Cotto. I don’t see any real training going on. Roach needs to have Pacquiao wired for this fight, but instead Pacquiao looks like a zombie, distracted and not tuned in. That’s too bad because it looks like Pacquiao is going to get a beating of his life against Cotto. I feel sorry for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Manny Doesn’t Look Focused

Hollywood celebs weigh in on Pacman's upcoming fight

2009-11-09T00:47:00.001-08:00

CEBU, Philippines - Obviously, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao’s star has grown bigger and brighter in Hollywood. First, there was the guesting on the hit primetime program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with a song number as an extra treat. Celebrities also continue dropping in and watching him getting ready at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles. Expect more A-listers to come out on his fight night against Miguel Cotto on November 14.

Hollywood celebs also weighed in their thoughts on the upcoming fight in HBO’s The Buzz. For controversial heavy weight champion of the world “Iron” Mike Tyson, “It’s PacMan.” Rap mogul P. Diddy, for his part, said, “If Cotto can reconnect to the way he was three years ago, he may give Pacquiao problems. Soap star Mark Consuelos is also rooting for the Pacman, “I’m sorry, the Filipino is going to win.”

Welter weight champion Shane Mosley said, “It’s going to be an interesting fight, and I think Pacquiao better take him seriously.” WWE Super Star Triple H, on the other hand, said, “Not that Cotto’s going to be an easy win, but I think Pacquiao’s going to beat him. “True Blood” actor Sam Trammel opined: “I’m going to have to go with Pacquiao man. I saw his last fight, and he’s just out of control.” For Oscar nominee, Mickey Rourke, “I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park. He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter.”

Watch HBO 24/7 PACQUIAO vs. COTTO Episode 2

2009-11-09T00:44:00.001-08:00

Pacquiao vs Cotto HBO 247

Watch episode 2 of HBO 24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto on Halloween Night Oct. 31, 8:00 pm PT/11:00 pm ET. HBO will continue to follow both fighters as they prepare for their upcoming bout on November 14th. Manny Pacquiao leaves the Philippines and begins training at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California. Miguel Cotto will be wrapping up his training at the Fight Factory in Tampa, Florida as he heads out to Las Vegas, Nevada.

HBO Sports 24/7 has featured Roy Jones Jr., Joe Calzaghe, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and now Miguel Cotto.

The fight will be aired on HBO PPV for $54.95

Watch HBO 24/7 PACQUIAO vs. COTTO Episode 2

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: The Firepower Mega-fight

2009-11-09T00:43:00.001-08:00

If you are involved in real estate business, you are very much familiar with the housing adage "location, location, location." Not surprisingly, in boxing today there is a similar tune and that is "prediction, prediction, prediction." This is the most
Pacquiao vs. Cotto: The Firepower Mega-fight
Date: November 14, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
United States of America
common topic in every boxing forum and every boxing website on the Internet: Who can accurately predict the outcome of the much anticipated, mega-welterweight showdown between the pound for pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and the current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico? Boxing fans from all over the world and of course, boxing experts (analysts, promoters, trainers, journalists, etc.) have something to say about this incredible and exciting match-up between the two best ring gladiators of the Sweet Science.

Legendary boxing trainers like Angelo Dundee and Emanuel Steward predict that Cotto's skills and power will earn him a victory over the most exciting fighter in the world in Pacquiao, while Pacman's astute trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning guru Alex Ariza boldly claim that Cotto will not last against their fighter's blinding speed and vaunted power. Many popular fighters, who either currently have a championship title or have held one in the past, like Bernard Hopkins, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., agree with Roach and Ariza's assessment. Hopkins believes that Cotto's youthful face will be "busted up" in this fight; Mayweather states that Pacquiao "is a quick starter" and he leans toward the latter in this showdown; and Mike Tyson undoubtedly forecasts, "Pacquiao will win." There are countless predictions made by different, knowledgeable boxing experts for this championship duel and the fighters truly deserve all the accolades and recognitions because they amazingly stand out amongst all the fighters of today: two gallant warriors ready to face and destroy each other with their limitless arsenal of "Firepower."

Three part TV series on Pacquiao's Journey to Glory Starts Today

2009-11-09T00:41:00.001-08:00

The story of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s “Journey to Glory” will be captured in a three-part special produced by Viva Sports and telecast over IBC 13 beginning today (Monday, November 9) at 8:00 p.m.

The series is a buildup to the "Fire Power" showdown between Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14 (Sunday, November 15 Manila Time).

The fight will be telecast by Solar Sports and GMA 7 and will be seen in scores of theaters, stadiums, restaurants and bars across the country including the Araneta Coliseum where giant screens on four sides are certain to provide clear and exciting coverage of the fights for some 18,000 fans.

The succeeding two-hour specials of "Journey to Glory" will be telecast from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11 and on Friday, November 13.

The “Journey to Glory” chronicles Pacquiao’s rise from boyhood poverty to become one of the greatest world boxing champions of all-time providing a keen insight into his courage as well as his care and concern for his poor countrymen.

Footage of some of his early fights on the weekly boxing show “Blow by Blow” where he saw action for almost seven years, his first KO loss to Rustico Torrecampo and his quick recovery to win the OPBF flyweight title followed by his WBC flyweight championship win over Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul in December 1998 and his spectacular sixth round stoppage of Lelohonolo Ledwaba in his US debut highlight the first program in the series.

Cotto will KO Pacquiao like Ortiz did to Flash Elorde! Bet on the Boricua

2009-11-06T04:09:00.004-08:00

On February 15, 1964, a valiant Puerto Rican fighter by the name of Carlos Ortiz traveled to the Philippines and destroyed their hero Flash Elorde in 14 rounds of a 15 round boxing match. History will repeat itself on November 14th, 2009, this time it will not go past the 5th round.

I have been reading many of these Manny Pacquiao followers comments on Youtube, they go on various websites leaving their ignorant comments, and I feel like throwing up at the ignorance and over confidence they have in their fighter.

I read comments like “Pacquiao is super fast and will KO Cotto easy” or “Pacquiao will destroy Cotto in 1 round, Cotto is too slow!”

Those type of comments make me shake my head. First off, it seems they have no clue on styles and boxing science. Just say Manny Pacquiao is fighting and they will automatically believe he will win without even studying the styles or knowing the opponent.

Ortiz went to the Philippines in 1964 to face the beloved and popular Flash Elorde and made many Filipinos shed tears. I remember my father telling me how he was going for Ortiz, not because my father was Puerto Rican, but because Ortiz was the more polished and skilled boxer who had a size advantage over Elorde. Ortiz won that night by KO in the 14th round and he also KO Elorde in the 14th round of their rematch several years later.

I know that many Filipinos will be hurt on November 14th, I feel very sad for them because Manny Pacquiao is all they got. The saying goes “Ignorance is Bliss” and they are very naive when it comes to boxing and they will face the harsh reality that night.

I will say it again, “Miguel Cotto is bigger, better, and stronger than the Pacman”. The only way Cotto will lose this fight is if he is no longer the same guy or is weight drained from the catch weight.

All those HBO 24-7 shows, those training video with Pacman hitting the bag with fancy moves are nothing for Cotto, remember the bag doesn’t hit back. Miguel Cotto is the master of timing he beat faster guys in Zab Judah and Shane Mosley. Speed is nothing new for Cotto, he will show how you counter speed on November 14th. Manny Pacquiao will have no answer for the raw size and power of Cotto, believe that!

P.S-I am willing to bet 95 % of you Pacquiao fans have no clue who the legendary Carlos Ortiz is! that’s how limited your boxing knowledge is.

Source: http://www.nowboxing.com/archives/3951

The Meaning of Manny

2009-11-06T04:09:00.002-08:00

By Howard Chua-Eoan and Ishaan Tharoor Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Manny Pacquiao is going through his throwing motion at Yankee Stadium. With easy deliberation, he shows off the form he says he perfected playing elementary school baseball in the dirt-poor southern Philippines before boxing took him over completely. His shoulder slips back, his torso pitches smoothly forward, left hand and arm torquing an imaginary ball into the depths of the air-conditioned players' cafeteria, where he is waiting to take the field for an announcement. The diamond stud in his ear catches the light.

The baseball pose has a balletic grace at odds with the savage power that the best pound-for-pound professional boxer on earth exhibits in the ring. "Best pound-for-pound" is the mantra intoned with every story about Pacquiao. It sounds strange because he has never been bound by the laws of physics. In the past eight years, he has risen through six weight divisions to win just as many world championships. At the stadium, his promoters have arranged for the Filipino to make official his plan to fight Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto for a seventh title, the welterweight, which has a maximum limit of 147 lb. (67 kg). That is a 40-lb. swing up from the 106 lb. Pacquiao weighed at the start of his career.

He carried increased poundage through his past two jaw-droppingly awesome victories: demolishing Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008 and knocking out Ricky Hatton in two rounds in May. This is how Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach describes his skill: "He'll throw a combination at you. You'll think he's done, but then he'll keep pounding you. And there's not a dense hardness to his punch. It just jumps on you. It explodes." Roach, who has worked with boxing luminaries such as De La Hoya and Mike Tyson, offers a little poetry when he recalls the time in 2001 when Pacquiao first came into his gym. "I just did one round with mitts with him, and I thought, 'Man, can this motherf______ fight.'" (Watch TIME's video "A Free Boxing Lesson with Oscar De La Hoya.")

At Yankee Stadium on this September day, the Puerto Ricans who have come out to cheer Cotto are jeering Pacquiao, but for all that physics matters, the Filipino is the favorite for the Nov. 14 Las Vegas bout. His payday, it is said, will be about $18 million. Back in the Philippines, you can pun on Pacquiao with pakyaw — a verb, pronounced the same way, that means "to monopolize, to corner the market, to take everything at wholesale in order to maximize profit." Pacquiao knows he wants more than he has, more than boxing can give. At the stadium, he retails anecdotes from his life to a couple of Filipinos and repeats what seems to be both an assertion and a lesson learned. "'Di ako bobo," he says in Tagalog. "'Di ako bobo." "I'm not stupid."

A Face for the Selfless
Manny Pacquiao, now 30, is the latest savior of boxing, a fighter with enough charisma, intelligence and backstory to help rescue a sport lost in the labyrinth of pay-per-view. Global brands like Nike want him in their ads. He made the TIME 100 list this year. West Coast baseball teams invite him to throw out the first pitch in order to attract the Filipino-American community. He has even become an object of desire: ESPN the Magazine has his naked torso in its Body Issue, which explores the engineering of several athletic physiques.

In the Philippines, Pacquiao is a demigod. The claim goes that when his fights are broadcast live, the crime rate plummets because everyone in the country is glued to a screen. His private life as well as the ins and outs and ups and downs of his training regimen are tabloid fodder; his much brooded political ambitions are a dilemma many Filipinos feel as existentially as Hamlet's soliloquy: To be or not to be ... a Congressman?

Source: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1935091,00.html

A man of our times: Pacquiao on TIME Magazine

2009-11-06T04:09:00.000-08:00

Houston Boxing Examiner | Marv Dumon

Over 20 years after former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson appeared on the U.S. cover of TIME Magazine, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao has achieved the same feat. A month after several typhoons devastated the Philippines, killing hundreds and displacing hundreds of thousands of his fellow countrymen, "Pacman" is featured on the cover of TIME Magazine's Asia edition. (9 Legendary Boxers on TIME Cover) Pacquiao recently contributed time and money to the relief efforts. All regions of the publication will feature a story on the pound-for-pound boxing icon this weekend.

CLICK: 9 Legendary Boxers on TIME Cover

Titled "The Great Hope" the Filipino's appearance on the cover is historic for any sports athlete. Only 11 boxers have graced the cover of TIME since the 1920's. Out of the many legendary fighters to have fought in the last 25 years, only Mike Tyson was the last boxer featured (in 1988). The likes of Oscar de la Hoya, Roy Jones, Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Evander Holyfield were not featured. Prior to Tyson, Muhammad Ali was last on the cover in 1978.

What is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring.

CLICK: Other Athletes on TIME Cover

To place into perspective this mainstream exposure, Michael Jordan, widely considered the greatest player in the history of basketball, appeared on TIME's cover just once (in 1998). (Other Athletes on TIME Magazine Cover)

Outside of the ring, Manny Pacquiao is widely known for his humility and generosity. In a recent interview on Philippine GMA News at a church in Los Angeles, Pacquiao said he not only prays for himself but for all of his opponents in the ring. That includes a prayer for his next opponent. Should the Filipino emerge triumphant on his November 14 bout with Puerto Rico's welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, he will have become the only fighter in the long history of the sport to secure seven world titles in seven different weight classes. (9 Legendary Boxers on TIME Cover) Pacquiao intends to permanently retire from boxing in 2010 and run for congress in the Philippines in May next year.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4514-Houston-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m11d5-A-man-of-our-times-Pacquiao-on-Time-Magazine

Firepower Pacquiao vs. Cotto Two Weeks Out

2009-10-31T00:50:00.001-07:00

What are the fans expecting from the Pacquiao – Cotto match?

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto mega-fight is just over two weeks away. The big night of course is Saturday, November 14, when both men will step into the ring in Las Vegas. The match has been eagerly anticipated for months and it has big implications for not just the welterweight division, but for the pound for pound rankings and the future competition for one Floyd Mayweather as well.

Leading up to the big Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto match fans have generally been lumped into just a few main groups. Here’s a look at how some fans are feeling about Pacquiao vs. Cotto as the fight approaches.
The Pro-Pacquiao Fans

Manny Pacquiao has a diehard group of fans, not just from his home country of the Philippines, but from around the rest of the world as well. Generally speaking, these fans would support Pacquiao and pick him to win regardless of the match-up. This fight against Miguel Cotto is no different, and people in this camp are eagerly awaiting a dominating Pacquiao performance.
The Pro-Cotto Fans

Miguel Cotto has his own diehard following of course, most of which come from the island of Puerto Rico. What do they think about their hero’s chances against the pound for pound king? His size advantage, experience against bigger men and all-around skill set will win him the day without too much of a problem.
The “Pacquiao is Overrated” Camp

People in this group point to a few key pieces of evidence for their stance on Cotto and Pacquiao. The first is that Oscar De La Hoya was past his prime and weight drained. The second is that Ricky Hatton was past his prime and was recently planted into the canvas by Floyd Mayweather. This group of fans feels that all of the Pacquiao – Cotto hype has forgotten these facts, and is anticipating a rude awakening come November 14th.

However, should Pacquiao win they are ready to discredit with their third piece of evidence , that Pacquiao has forced Cotto to weigh in at a catch weight instead of the welterweight limit. (See also: “Fans of Floyd Mayweather” camp)
The “Cotto is Shot” Camp

We all saw how Antonio Margarito brutalized Miguel Cotto, and this group of fans feels strongly that there is no returning from that kind of beating. The subsequent shaky victory over Josh Clottey has done little to change their minds, and memories of Cotto’s scares at junior welterweight are all too prominent as well.
The Realists

Then we have a fifth and final group of fans, the realists. They can see everything from both sides, and ultimately want the best man to win so that the biggest fights can be made afterward. They recognize that Cotto has suffered a brutal loss, and has been less than his best since then. They also recognize that Pacquiao’s weight class jumping and contract stipulations raise some question marks.

Ultimately though, they want a good fight that brings positive attention to the sport of boxing. These fans want the winner of this match to be promptly put into the ring with Floyd Mayweather in what would easily be the biggest fight of the generation. These fans may be rooting for one fighter over the other, but they’ll be happy with any result that brings other fans out of their seats and sets up more exciting moments in the future. Count me a realist.

Watch HBO Boxing PACQUIAO vs. COTTO Firepower Preview Videos

2009-10-31T00:49:00.001-07:00

HBO Boxing has released a series of preview videos on youtube with interviews and insight from boxing analysts, the fighters, and the coaches of Pacquiao and Cotto. HBO 24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto continues Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween) with episode 2 of the 4 part series. The fight takes place on Nov. 14th at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions, enter the “Top Rank Official Firepower “Pacquiao vs. Cotto” Twitter Giveaway”.

Contact your local cable provider to subscribe to HBO. Watch the Emmy award winning HBO 24/7 series and all the upcoming boxing matches and sports specials that will be televised throughout the year on HBO.

HBO Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – Fight Preview (HBO)

HBO Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – Heart, Courage & Determination (HBO)

HBO Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – Size Up The Opponent (HBO)

HBO Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – Fighter Strategies (HBO)

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto: The Next Super-Fight

2009-10-31T00:47:00.001-07:00

On November 14th two of the biggest stars in boxing will face-off for a PPV super-fight. These fights are something special for boxing; they are the types of fights that get the general public to pay attention to our wonderful sport of boxing. I go through a few different phases for a super-fight, here's a look at what life is like for The Bryguy:

PHASE 1: Going into a big fight like this I always envision an epic battle between two gladiators, blood and guts warriors, grit, sweat, anger, and other adjectives that sound tough and manly! I blog about what an amazing ballsy, kick-butt fight it will be. I talk to whoever will listen to 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 scorecards are 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 under-card fights, that if I'm lucky are complete mismatches and will at the very least end quickly. If I'm not lucky it's a Zab Judah mismatch that should have ended early, but he once again doesn't live up to expectation and drags me through the miserable fight for ten or twelve rounds. This is phase filled with anxiousness and a little aggravation.

PHASE 2.1: The under-cards 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 BL’s (because the main event will have me on the edge of my seat for at least ten 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 starts or is a patty cake match for twelve rounds, where on top of everything the decision is a debacle!(obviously there is the diamond in the rough, but so many do end in disappointment).

PHASE 3: Then comes the moping, tears, sadness, and complaining about forking over $50 bucks, "FOR THAT!” After that I swear off the sport forever because it's corrupt, doesn't treat its loyal fans with respect, and bleeds me dry every time I am forced to spend my 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: The following day 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, and pay money for it! I guess that means it's back to phase one.

Well folks, I am here to tell you that I am knee deep in Phase one 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 one that one blog won't cover this showdown. If I am going to do it justice I must break it into three parts:

PART 1: Why I Love Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto has been one of the most consistent fighters in the world of boxing over the past few years. There hasn't been another guy in boxing who has constantly stepped up competition, fought entertaining fights, and tested his own abilities quite like Miguel Cotto, except maybe Manny Pacquiao.

The reason Miguel 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, and it's probably why Floyd Mayweather Jr. hasn't been able to find the fan-base he thinks he deserves. 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.

Miguel 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. He'll chop you down whatever way he can, not shying away from bodywork, or with Branco, just banging away at the arms!

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 with his heart. The two traded bombs in the center off 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 Miguel 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 he was taking on a fast, heavy handed fighter, who when his mind is in the game can beat just about anyone (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 eleventh. Fighting Mosley later that year Cotto was beating the faster guy to punch and showed off some magnificent boxing skill that many didn't believe he possessed. He out boxed Mosley in an extremely entertaining fight, in which I think Miguel showed the ability to not only break opponents down, but also 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 Pac-man is going to bring to the table, and rightfully so, he has had a run unlike anything I have seen in a long time. I feel however it's because of Cotto's only loss (Antonio Margarito) and his last fight (Joshua Clottey) that people are 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 Shane Mosley, dancing around the ring, and putting on 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 eleventh. Margarito was found with loaded hand-wraps in his next fight against Cotto victim Shane Mosley, begging the question of whether he had loaded wraps against Cotto as well.

In his last fight Cotto took on the very tough, and I feel much underrated Joshua Clottey. Cotto suffered a cut in the third round, and Clottey put on heavy pressure making it a close fight. 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 him in the Clottey fight? I don't think so; I think Clottey is an underrated fighter, who will only be beat 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. Which 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 loaded then as well? Where Clottey's hands fine, and he just has a habit of slowing down and not fighting towards 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 above all the others, he comes to fight (I also like some of his new tattoos, but mostly because he come 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 entertained, and I don't see him letting me down on November 14th.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: The Firepower Mega-fight

2009-10-31T00:46:00.003-07:00

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Keys to Victory Part 2 - Training

2009-10-31T00:46:00.001-07:00

35 days to go before the scheduled bout between WBO welterweight champion, Miguel Angel Cotto against the pound-for-pound number 1 and Ring Lineal Jr. Welterweight champion, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Miguel Angel Cotto knows that to beat a Manny Pacquiao, one must be very well prepared for that battle. For Manny Pacquiao always comes up with new surprises against his opponents, which enables him to shock the world time and again. The WBO welterweight champ is well aware of what Manny Pacquiao could do inside that squared circle. He is not just a small guy whom bigger guys can easily bully. Pacquiao is a little guy that beats the crap out and knocks the bigger guys to unconsciousness in multiple different weight divisions. And all these achievements by Manny Pacquiao have been well chronicled and recorded on video. And those videos, Cotto believes could give them clues as to what Manny Pacquiao could bring to the ring come November 14, and find a blueprint on how to dethrone the reigning pound-for-pound king. There were reports saying that the Cotto's camp are viewing the videos of Pacquiao's three loses, two of which were knock-out losses and the
other one was Pacman's first fight with Morales.

In today's fight game reviewing videos of previous fights of an opponent is a must, as fighters' styles rarely changes, this enables his opponents to know what to expect. Because it’s more likely that the opponent will use the things that worked for him in the past. And with that knowledge, it minimize the element of surprise, by adjusting to the opponent's style, devising moves and techniques to counter or negate his opponents' past effective moves and techniques. In many cases, making these adjustments takes time and effort. For one must do the moves and drills over and over again, up until these techniques become natural for the fighter. He would not need to over-analyze about what to do when the situation arises but he'll just naturally do whatever he practiced in the training camp instinctively. And this is something Miguel Cotto knows very well, as he started his training almost a month and a half before Manny Pacquiao started his training camp.
This allows him more time to adjust and practice the moves he needed to counter Manny Pacquiao's tactical abilities. Analyzing, devising and planning fight strategies seems to be lacking in Cotto's head trainer Joe Santiago's resume, who used to be Miguel's nutritionist, as compared to Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach.

It is also noted that since Miguel Cotto is the bigger man in this match-up, as Pacquiao's conditioning coach Alex Ariza noted during their promotional tour "He (Miguel Cotto) looks like 160lbs!" Not only Miguel Cotto require more time to adjust to Manny Pacquiao's techniques, he also needed more time to gradually go down in weight to make the 145lbs contracted official weight-in. As a fighters' body weight goes higher or lower, most of the time, the more time he uses to adjust to that new body-weight, the more effective he becomes in terms of conditioning. As a fighter goes up in weight, he would have time to fine-tune his speed, for fighters tend to be more sluggish as they go heavier, on the other hand, a fighter that goes lighter would means burning their own muscles, which means they tend to go weaker. But with enough preparation, a fighter can adjust his speed and power with his new body-weight.

Looking at the other training camp, Manny Pacquiao is training in Baguio City, Philippines to avoid paying huge amounts of taxes in the United States. He is being trained by the famed Coach Freddie Roach who molded Manny Pacquiao from being a "left handed bomber" into a well-rounded tactician. It should be noted that in each and every Manny Pacquiao's fights, the Pacman brings something new for the fans to witness. He keeps improving and he keeps learning with each training camp. It should be noted that the Manny Pacquiao who lost three times in the past, is not the same fighter compared to the Manny Pacquiao of today. This improvement from Manny Pacquiao is evidently the work of Coach Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao's training camp kicked off after their US Promotional tour, about 8 weeks before the scheduled fight. Wherein Manny Pacquiao needed to fly half way around the world to get to the Philippines, deal with jet lag and started training with Assistant trainer and bestfriend Buboy Fernandez. About one week after that, Coach Freddie Coach flew in to Baguio City to look over Manny's training. Coach Freddie Roach was impressed with Manny Pacquiao conditioning as they start their hard grind. It seems that Manny Pacquiao keeps himself in shape even during his "off season" days.

Manny Pacquiao, during his training has been followed by the fans and media. People in Baguio usually wait for him to jog by as early as 5 a.m. Manny is constantly surrounded by Baguio police force round the clock during his training. But a fan friendly Manny Pacquiao couldn't let his fans down and give in to autograph request and photo ops from time to time.

There were also reports that Manny Pacquiao sometimes sneaks out of his camp and join friends in a game of basketball at night, which upsets Coach Freddie Roach because it would put Manny Pacquio at risk of injuries.

There were times when Manny Pacquiao would jog along with Philippine Military Academy Cadets, pace with them and gradually pick up speed wherein the cadets were not able to cope up and Manny would end up leaving the cadets behind, running ahead of them. He was then invited for some rounds of target shooting at the camp, which again infuriates Coach Roach as he warns Manny to "Get serious now! We're preparing for a fight!”

Assistant Trainer Buboy Fernandez told media that "Manny Pacquiao knows himself and he knows what he is doing. When he trains, he is a work-machine. Most of the time you don't need to tell him to do things because he's going to do it anyways."

During Manny Pacquiao's training camp, the Philippines was ravaged by back-to-back typhoons, which flooded and damaged many parts of the country, including some parts of Baguio City where Manny Pacquiao trains. As of yesterday, 80% of power in Baguio City is down, and no roads are passable going in or out of Baguio City because of landslides. It was reported that last weekend; Pacquiao motored down Metro Manila to help out distributing relief good to the victims of the floods over there. And this week, Manny Pacquiao would want to lend a hand in helping people who were affected by the typhoon nearby where he is training.

So a Jose Luis Castillo motoring up the mountains to get to Baguio City is unlikely at this time, for the city needs to clear its' roads of rocks, debris and floods to be passable by motorists. The only way to get to Baguio City as of yesterday is through air transport. It is reported that Castillo's arrival in Baguio City would be delayed till he fly in on Sunday. Castillo, the former lightweight champion, now campaigning at welterweight is reported to go to Pacquiao's training camp and aid the pound for pound king as sparring partner. Jose Luis Castillo would bring his "pressure tactic" and power punching to the body similar to Miguel Cotto's as beneficial to Pacquiao's training.

It was also reported last week that Urbano Antillon and Shawn Porter has given Manny Pacquiao a rough time during their initial sessions of sparring. Roach stated last week that "Manny's condition is 40%" at the time while shaking his head. But as the days progressed and more rounds of sparring was logged-in, Manny Pacquiao somehow brought smile to Coach Freddie Roach's face as he slowly comes back to better fighting form. Porter was reported saying "Manny is definitely the best in the world today...He will shock the world all over again."

In each and every move Manny Pacquiao and this team makes, the media shall be behind them. It was reported that Manny Pacquiao is training to do a "Hit and run" tactic; that he shall employ a "three punch combination" and them move out of range, circle to the side. I'm not sure if this disclosure of fight plan to the media would be beneficial to Manny Pacquiao during fight night. Is this a ploy from team Pacquiao; saying one thing and then comes to the ring and delivers something that will totally surprise Cotto? Or are they confident that Manny Pacquiao's speed and skills would be too much for Miguel Cotto to handle that they don’t' mind disclosing their fight strategy? From Manny Pacquiao, to his trainer, sparring partners, advisers, down to his dog "Pacman", you'll definitely going to read about them in the Internet.

Again, the big question is, "Will all these distractions during training affect Manny Pacquiao's performance in the ring come fight night?"

One more week to go in Baguio City and Manny Pacquiao and his team will fly to Los Angeles to train at the Wild Card gym, which means, he'll have spend at least one day travelling and several days of jet lag before he could go back to business of training for a fight.

On the other hand, Miguel Angel Cotto trains in Florida. He trains quietly in secret. For indeed in numerous wars in history, they keys to victory are proper preparation and the element of surprise.

The big question regarding Miguel Cotto's camp would be "What's he cooking?"

With one month to go before their fight billed as "Firepower", these two champions know what it takes to defeat champions. They've been there before, they've done it before. Now, its time for both of them, two of the very best in their time, step in the ring and duke it out. And as boxing fans, we surely hope that both fighters had done their homework to bring us the very best fight they could bring.

There's no doubt in my mind that the biggest fight this year is Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao. And it is evident that everybody is excited about it.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto Will Send Manny Into Retirement

2009-10-31T00:45:00.003-07:00

Manny Pacquiao is thinking he’s going to be fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. sometime next year, but I think World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is going to have a lot to say about that and I’m counting on Cotto beating Pacquiao bad and sending him into retirement rather than into mega fight with Mayweather. Cotto, 28, will be facing Pacquiao on November 14th at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao and Cotto will be fighting with Miguel’s WBO welterweight title on the line at a 145 pound catch weight.

I still think it’s absurd to fight with the title on the line if there’s a limit that requires the champion Cotto from fighting at the normal weight for the belt. That is so wrong. It won’t matter, though, because Cotto is still going to beat the stuffing out of Pacquiao and will do badly enough where Pacquiao will have to retire rather than continue on. That’s my prediction!

Pacquiao has been beating up weight drained fighter like Oscar De La Hoya and nearly defenseless ones like Ricky Hatton. Now Pacquiao is facing a real threat and he’s going to have a real mess on his hands on November 14th, and I can’t wait to see Pacquiao getting beaten up.

It’s going to give me a lot of pleasure to see Pacquiao’s face getting rearranged by Cotto. I can’t express how much satisfaction I’m going to get watching Pacquiao get knocked down a peg. I just hope that Cotto does it slowly and methodically because I want the beating to last as long as possible.

If Cotto ends things too quickly, Pacquiao won’t suffer all that much and will likely still move ahead and take the fight with Mayweather in 2010. That rightfully be Cotto’s fight, but I know that Mayweather will probably still fight Pacquiao anyway, leaving Cotto, the victor, to have to scrape up whatever he can put together as far big money fights go.

Okay, so back to the beating. I want Cotto to focus on working over Pacquiao’s midsection, but he has to be careful that he doesn’t hit Pacquiao too hard because I don’t want Pacquiao flopping around on the canvas like a fish out of water, gasping for breath after Cotto lands a big body shot. Cotto needs to throw to the sides to make sure he doesn’t knock the air out of Pacquiao’s tiny body.

You can’t have the fight ending early from a body shot. I can just see the excuses that will role in on that one. ‘Ah, I was blinded by flash from a camera and, ah, didn’t see Cotto throwing to my stomach area.’ Next, after working over Pacquiao’s midsection, Cotto needs to go for the face. He’s got to hit him but no too hard. I want the eyes to puff, the lips to bleed and the nose to get flattened, but Cotto mustn’t try to brain Pacquiao with anything too hard because that will be letting him off the hook.

Boxing prediction on Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

2009-10-31T00:45:00.001-07:00

Paulie Malignaggi, the former IBF lightwelterweight champion has gone on record to give his prediction on November 14th's highly anticipated mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Malignaggi who himself has extremely solid skills and is always exciting in the ring, feels that Manny Pacquiao is trying to bite off more than he can chew in taking a fight with Cotto.

In taking on Miguel Cotto, Paulie Malignaggi tells Joseph Santoliquito of Ring Magazine that Manny Pacquiao "is definitely trying to bite off more than he can chew."

Malignaggi went on to tell the publication that the arguement can be made that Pacquiao's win over Oscar De La Hoya was a win over a shot fighter. "I know (Pacquiao) beat Oscar but you can make the argument that Oscar was pretty shot by then."

Malignaggi went on to add that Cotto, a fighter he faced in the past hits really hard. "Cotto's punches hurt, believe me I felt them," stated Malignaggi, adding: "I don't know if Manny can take that from such a bigger guy who's close to the top of his game."

So what's Malignaggi's final prediction on Pacquiao vs. Cotto? "Cotto wins by decision in a great fight,” predicted Malignaggi.

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. You can catch a live telecast of the fight on HBO Pay-per-view. (Check your local cable and satellite providers for more details.)

Pacquiao Frozen In Time

2009-10-31T00:36:00.001-07:00

Despite continuous evidence of the contrary, Manuel Perez still believes that Manny Pacquiao’s skills are stuck where they were during his first fight with Erik Morales. This is in reference to his recent article entitled Pacquiao-Cotto: Manny Needs to Focus on Miguel, not Mayweather where he states:

“Pacquiao will need to be at 110% if he wants to be competitive against Cotto. I don’t think he will. I see this as a repeat of the Erik Morales vs. Pacquiao I fight.”

Really? How? In what parallel universe is it that Pacquiao is still reckless? In what parallel universe is it that Pacquiao still doesn’t know how to utilize his lead (right) hand? I don’t get his logic. In Mr. Perez’s fantasy world, Pacquiao is still the rash brawler that doesn’t know how to use his right hook. That Pacquiao, in reality, is gone.

Pacquiao nowadays is decisively 1.) Faster 2.) Stronger 3.) Has Better Balance 4.) More Tactical 5.) More Experienced that he was a few years ago. He is not invincible, by no means, as can be seen in his fight with Oscar Larios; but he’s improved leaps and bounds over the following years that to say that his performance with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 will be the same as his performance with Morales of yesteryears will be the same is simply absurd.

Cotto is decisively stronger than Erik Morales but “El Terrible” was definitely faster, and more cunning. Cotto’s defense is not as good as Morales’. The only reason Erik Morales was dropped in their second fight was because he was too game to exchange and brawl with the Pacman. A stupid albeit fearless move that I still applaud today. If Morales had kept his composure then, he wouldn’t have been beaten to a pulp and Pacquiao would’ve won with a decision. But it would’ve made for a much less entertaining fight.

Cotto’s left hook is dangerous for sure and the Pacman has been known to still walk into punches from time to time but in the end I strongly believe that Pacquiao’s incredible hand speed will baffle and stun Cotto and win the day. Besides Freddie Roach would’ve drilled Pacquiao to the breaking point on avoiding and countering those left hooks. He too, like Pacquiao, has Not been frozen in time.

I see Pacquiao winning by early KO or Decision depending on Cotto’s condition.

Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Pedro Martinez

2009-10-31T00:35:00.001-07:00

Martinez beaten by Yanks. Jimmy Rollins strikes out with Carlos Ruiz on second in the fifth inning. The Phillies offense could only score one run, and Pedro Martinez allowed three in six-plus innings.The pitcher was clever and impressive, but A.J. Burnett was better. And Mariano Rivera, who struggled in the eighth but got Chase Utley to ground into a crucial double play, earned his record 38th postseason save. Because of those pitchers, the Yankees defeated the Phillies, 3-1, drawing even in the World Series with one win apiece -Philly.com

Pacquiao calls out Mayweather. Pacquiao is training in Hollywood for his meeting with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, but the pound-for-pound champion spared a moment Thursday to evaluate his chances of fighting Mayweather, the unbeaten pay-per-view king. Although the matchup almost certainly would be a financial bonanza for both fighters, Pacquiao thinks fans shouldn’t hold their breath.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Pacquiao said. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to fight.” -AP

Yankees’ Burnett makes most of his moment to shine. A.J. Burnett, the more dynamic of the Marlins’ promising duo, was relegated to spectatorship, to cheerleading.He witnessed hard-throwing, pedigreed cohort Josh Beckett begin an ascent to rarified fame in 2003, against the vaunted Yankees, who’d propelled themselves into the World Series thanks to an unlikely Aaron Boone homer

Notes from Manny Pacquiao's training camp

2009-10-28T09:54:00.003-07:00

The door leading in to Hollywood's Wild Card Gym opened Tuesday afternoon and in walked Manny Pacquiao.

Boxing's top pound-for-pound fighter arrived back in L.A. this weekend, and although he's still recovering from the jet lag from the lengthy flight from his native Philippines where he trained for 31 days, Pacquiao is preparing to ramp up his conditioning as the days dwindle to his Nov. 14 welterweight showdown against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

"He's tired right now, you can see it in his eyes," Pacquiao trainer's, Freddie Roach, said.

Pacquiao and Roach withstood typhoons that devastated other parts of the Philippines as they set up training camp in Baguio in the northern part of the country. The training was done in near-solitude by Pacquiao standards -- he is a national icon.

"I've never seen him more relaxed, his body is relaxed more than I've ever seen it," his U.S. advisor, Michael Koncz said. "The crowds in Baguio were very respectful of his need to be left alone during training."

One of Pacquiao's sparring partners overseas was former world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, who reported Tuesday that "you have to have [guts] to get in the ring with [Pacquiao], he's very dedicated and is all about constant preparation. It's going to be a great fight. The more intelligent man will win, and Manny is very smart."

Since knocking out Ricky Hatton in a sensational performance May 2, Pacquiao has filmed a movie that will likely be released next year and have him starring as a father who transforms into a Superman-Batman-like superhero. He's also been declared an ambassador, won a peace/humanitarian prize and has decided to run again for a seat in his country's national congress. He lost a previous bid.

Pacquiao has to decide by the end of November if he'll seek a specific provincial office or pursue a national seat. The election is in May 2010, Koncz said.

Roach said he believes Pacquiao should avoid politics because "he can do more for his country in boxing than he can in politics, and in politics you can't make everyone happy like he does now."

-- Lance Pugmire

Freddie Roach offers US$1,000 to anyone who can floor Manny Pacquiao

2009-10-28T09:54:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has offered US$1,000 [£611] to any sparring partner that can knock down the Filipino.

Pacquiao, widely regarded as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, started training on Tuesday at Hollywood's Wild Card club in Los Angeles ahead of his 14 November bout with the Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

"The money is still with me and I am telling the new sparring partners that they will be rewarded with $1,000 if they score a knockdown over Manny in sparring," Roach told the Manila Bulletin newspaper's website.

Pacquiao's last fight was his second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton in May.

Pacquiao back to ‘normal’

2009-10-28T09:53:00.003-07:00

Manny Pacquiao has reverted back to his old ways.

Despite the punishing effects of jet lag, Pacquiao still managed to give trainer Freddie Roach a reason to smile when the Filipino kicked off his sparring session on US soil on Wednesday at the Wild Card in Hollywood, less than three weeks before the November 14 duel with Miguel Cotto.

Sparring 10 full rounds with unbeaten super-welterweight Shawn Porter and super-feather Ray Beltran and one guy Porter handpicked to help, Pacquiao didn’t resort to things that made Roach cringe the last time he worked out in Manila over the weekend.

“It’s back to normal,” said Roach on the phone from the sweat shop located on Vine Street. “I was surprised that he looked good today despite the jet lag. There was no more playing around this time.”

Pacquiao, Roach noted, did four rounds with Porter then had three apiece with Beltran and the unidentified fellow who subbed for original choice Raymond Serrano.

“He had a lot more focus today than the last time (in Manila),” added Roach.

Roach said another former sparmate, super-welter Rashad Holloway, will likely be called in to replace Serrano as Pacquiao hikes the number of rounds to 11 on Thursday and as much as 12 on Saturday before he begins to slow down next week.

Roach expects Pacquiao’s showing to improve even more in the coming days now that they are training under familiar conditions.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao and Roach are hosting a teleconference call this Thursday to give the media a deeper look into their training camp.

Watch out for Cotto’s power

2009-10-28T09:53:00.001-07:00

The fight between Miguel Angel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas highlights two traits needed by world-class boxers—power and speed.

Cotto is regarded as a power puncher while Pacquiao, although he packs power in his mitts, is better known for his speed. These two qualities would play a huge role come fight night.

Power

THE power of a punch in general is defined by two things: by the weight thrown behind the punch and by the speed by which the punch is thrown.

The reason Cotto is an interesting fighter to watch is because he throws all his punches with a lot of power. He puts his body behind every punch. His conditioning level is so high he can sustain this work rate all throughout a fight.

This same power was evident in his fights against quick fighters—Shane Mosley and Zab Judah, two (stylist) boxers who rely on speed for their victories but have been beaten by Cotto.

Cotto is a natural welterweight. He should have a heavier punch that, if it cleanly connects, may hurt Pacquiao. The Filipino, although expected to be in tip-top shape, could still get hurt.

On the other hand, Pacquiao brings in something alien to Cotto. Pacquiao’s power is generated not only by his weight but also by his speed. A lot of his sparring partners swear he has the power of a middleweight (160 lb) and, if both fighters weigh the same on fight day, Pacquiao will readily multiply his power through the speed he inherently possesses.

There is no doubt about the Filipino’s power in the 140-lb category. He demonstrated he can drop “naturally bigger men” against Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton—the latter with a very quick win.

Speed

Cotto may be fast versus other welterweights, but Pacquiao is clearly faster.

Cotto looked perplexed in his last fight against Joshua Clottey (although it can be argued that a cut above the eye that caused blood to cover his eye may have slowed him down). Clottey, evidently more agile, was picking his punches; connecting when he wanted with jabs and straights and left Cotto flat-footed at times, revealing a weakness in the latter’s defense.

Cotto needs speed to get away and react to Pacquiao’s punches and to be able to tag “The Pacman” with his left hooks.

Ability to position for the punch (agility and leg power)

Over the last couple of fights, Pacquiao has proven to have honed the ability to move well and find the openings to throw from various angles. Leg movement and positioning honed by rigorous drills at the gym molded Pacquiao into a well-oiled machine.

Cotto lately has been a stand-up fighter relying on torso movement rather than leg movement to find openings. He relies heavily on his power punches to the body that he does not seem to give emphasis on moving away from his opponent.

If Cotto can find a way to cut the ring and box-in Pacquiao, then throw well-timed body shots, he may be able to slow down the Filipino.

With calculated movements Cotto can conserve enough energy for the long haul and steal the win in the later rounds.

Although the speed factor gives Pacquiao a huge edge, as they say, a power puncher will always have an advantage. A power puncher will always have chance to win a fight even if he is way down on points. Cotto’s power will be something to watch out for.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Breakdown and Prediction

2009-10-28T09:52:00.002-07:00

By Ted Sares - I think it was a very smart move by Miguel to move the whole team to Tampa for this fight and for the last fight --Joe Santiago

He is right where I want him to be, perfect --Freddie Roach

These two will fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14 in what promises to be another great war between two superstars—this one at a catch weight of 145 pounds. Cotto is 34-1 with a lofty KO percentage of 77.14 while Pacquiao is 49-3-2 with an impressive KO percentage of 68.52.

The Breakdown: In many ways, these two are more alike than not. They are skilled, have great heart, are great sportsmen, and represent their respective homelands with dignity and class, but enough of the niceties, let’s cut to the chase..

Level of Opposition:

Manny has fought 9 fights against 5 guys who arguably have a great shot at being inducted into the Hall of Fame. But he also fought and beat fine Thai and Filipino fighters with great records coming in. If you throw a dart at his list of opponents, you might, for example, hit South Korean Seung-Kon Chae (23-0), Mexican Oscar Larios (56-4-1), Thai Wethya Sakmuangklang (41-3), or Colombian Jorge Eliecer Julio (44-3).

Cotto’s list of opponents is also impressive. It includes name like Zab Zudah, Sugar Shane Mosley, and Antonio Margarito. He is now coming off a split decision win over the tough Joshua Clottey, a fight in which he showed that he can still fight through adversity.

Style

Cotto is a boxer/puncher but most often, he is a stalking and menacing presence that carefully breaks down his opponents with heavy and punishing body attacks. In his fight with Mosley, he showed he is far more than a banger; in fact, he seems to add to his technical skills each time he fights.

But speaking of skills, Pacquiao now seems to possess an arsenal the qualitative content and completeness of which only Floyd Mayweather Junior can stake claim to. With his in-and-out whirlwind movement, effective jabs, fight-ending hooks from both hands, solid stamina, and a sound defense, there is little to criticize. As for speed, Pacquiao is flat out faster than Cotto in every way, particularly with his foot movement.

Both have one punch Knock Out power, though in my opinion, Cotto is stronger than Pac Man at this weight and if he connects flush, he could send Pac Man back to General Santos City faster than you can say “Boricua.” But Pacquio’s ability to send Cotto to Caguas dreamland should not be underestimated. It will be interesting to see what happens when Miguel tests Manny with his first rattling body shot.

Chin

Cotto has been hurt on a number of occasions and I see his chin as being relatively weaker than that of Manny’s, but his recuperative power and strength advantage make this a wash. Manny has been hurt badly as well, but it occurred too far back to be meaningful in my view.

Ring IQ

Both are savvy and experienced fighters, but I believe Pacquiao has the edge as he can adapt to different situations faster. However, Cotto showed he can adjust as well in the Mosley fight and then later against Clottey when he fought from the outside during the last rounds. Yet, was this from being overly cautious perhaps as a result of the so-called “Ghost of Margarito,” or was it because Clottey held back for some inexplicable reason and did not press the action? If a similar situation develops in this fight, Pacquiao will not be reticent and will jump on Cotto faster than you can say “Pinoy.”

Intangibles

These are particularly important. Let’s start with …

1) Momentum: Pac Man gets the clear nod. He is on a great streak of big wins (Hatton, De La Hoya, Diaz, Marquez, Barrera, Solis, Morales, and Larios). Cotto, however, is coming off a close SD win, a walk-over win with Michael Jennings, and a devastating TKO loss to Margarito. More importantly, the loss to Margarito raises questions as to whether he is as good as he once was.

2) Cuts: Both fighters are prone to cuts, so the effectiveness of their respective cut men could play a key role here. It certainly did in Cotto’s last outing. Moreover, Manny’s body is more rested than Cotto’s.

3) Trainers and Camp: Freddie Roach vs. Junito’s relatively new corner. On April 8, 2009, Cotto fired his uncle, Evangelista Cotto, from the team's staff, following a reportedly violent discussion. He then appointed Joe Santiago, who had been his nutritionist, as his new trainer. Though he guided Miguel to victory in the Clottey fight, the clear nod goes to Roach. Look, you don’t argue with his kind of success.

However, there have been rumors (which I don’t necessarily buy) that the strong chemistry between Freddie and Manny has been straining some. If true, this evens out what could be an obvious advantage for Pacquiao. The typhoons have devastated the Philippines while Manny was training there. How this might impact him is conjectural, but it did, in fact, force Roach to break camp early against Manny’s objections. Still, it could provide an incentive for Manny in the fight. This is a classic intangible factor. On balance, it does appear Cotto is having a more serene camp than Pac Man.

4) Cotto's loss to Margarito: Some say it was suspicious and therefore the severity of it should be discounted. But even assuming that to be so, the beating took place so suspicious or not, the damage was done.

5) Catch Weight: Cotto coming down; Pacquiao coming up favors Cotto, though Pacquiao seems to take his strength with him as he moves up in weight.

6) Dimensions: They are both about the same size, but Cotto has a naturally bigger frame.

Outcome

I see Pac Man beating Miguel Cotto in a fast paced action fight in which Manny will exploit Cotto’s weakness beginning in the mid rounds (but I don’t see it happening the other way around). This exploitation will be enhanced by Pacquio’s incredibly fast in-and-out movement accompanied by just about every punch in the manual-- and each thrown with malice aforethought—as he cuts and befuddles Cotto and starts to slow down his trademark stalk as he lands punches from every direction.

Now then, I clearly remember Cotto backing up in the late rounds against Clottey and I think I even might have seen glimpses of “Margorito” being somewhere in that ring. If Cotto backs up against Pacquiao (and I think he will at some point), the Filipino superman will be on him fast and will not let him off the hook. Of course, if Pac back up against Cotto going into the late rounds, that could spell doom for him, because Cotto is a stalker extraordinaire and who knows how to close off a ring and knows how to close a fight.

In sum, given his superb performance against Ricky Hatton and given Miguel’s not-so-superb performance against Clottey, Manny may well win within the distance, perhaps on cuts. Cotto will not like the overwhelming variety of weapons he faces including stinging jabs, right hooks to the head, left hooks to the jaw, brutal uppercuts (remember Margorito), speed, and in-and-out movement the likes of which he has never before seen. Miguel, on the other hand, will show Manny nothing new except strength and maybe one of the best body attacks in boxing. But speed will be the decisive factor here and speed is what Manny Pacquiao is all about.

Dundee not betting on a Pacquiao win vs Cotto

2009-10-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

For the third time, legendary trainer Angelo Dundee is keeping off his bet on Manny Pacquiao in his Nov. 14 title showdown with Miguel Cotto.

Despite being proven wrong twice before by the Filipino boxing champion, the 88-year-old Dundee thinks reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title holder Cotto has got what it takes to pull off a stunning upset.

Hall of Fame trainer Dundee visited Cotto's training camp recently in Tampa, Florida, and was convinced the Puerto Rican champion can beat Pacquiao based on what he had seen.

“If I had to pick anybody in the world to fight Pacquiao, it would be Cotto," Dundee, who recently moved in from Miami to Tampa, told Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, whom he chanced upon at Cotto’s Florida training camp.

“Cotto has the best chance of anybody to beat him (Pacquiao) because of his physical power and strong left hook."

Despite being a revered boxing personality involved in the “sweet science" for more than six decades now, Dundee has never got it right in Pacquiao’s last two fights.

The long-retired trainer helped prepare superstar Oscar De La Hoya when he fought the "Pacman" a year ago in a mega-fight that ended with boxing’s "Golden Boy" quitting on his stool just before the ninth round of their "Dream Match" showdown.

The bout proved to be De La Hoya’s last as he retired shortly after.

And only last summer, Dundee also picked two-time junior middleweight champion Ricky Hatton to beat the hell out of Pacquiao. The opposite happened as the 30-year-old General Santos City native knocked the lights out of the boxer from Manchester and scored a swift, second round technical knockout.

As the man who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, Arum wouldn’t come out in public as to who he thinks will win the much-anticipated slugfest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

But having seen the two fighters sweat it out in training camps, the veteran boxing promoter, undoubtedly, is a lot impressed with Pacquiao’s work ethic.

“I think, in general, both guys looked very, very good," he said.

“Cotto looked strong. He’s Cotto. He works hard for two hours, He does all his sparring. He’s in tremendous shape," said Arum of the 28-year-old champion from Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Yet for Arum, Pacquiao does more than that.

“I know Cotto works hard, but in contrast to the other guy (Pacquiao), it looks like he’s taking a vacation," said the 77-year-old promoter. - GMANews.TV

Cotto Trainer Santiago's Point: The Fighters Will Do The Fighting

2009-10-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

Joe Santiago looks like a guy who might sell you insurance or do your taxes or fix your car.

There are no serious scars on his face or wrinkles under his eyes, and he doesn’t have one of those crooked, telltale noses that says he’s been in a few ring wars. His fingers are all pretty straight, and if you passed him on the street, you wouldn’t look at him twice.

He looks young and educated, someone you might meet at a stockholders meeting.

So how did this guy become head trainer of one of the best fighters in the world? Aren’t trainers suppose to look like Mick from the Rocky movies? You know, the gravelly voice, the cauliflower ear, maybe a stogie stuck in the corner of his mouth. A real trainer should be older than dirt and he should wear tired shoes and a watch cap. He should be someone who could tell you how he almost won the middleweight title back in 1959, but he got cut in the 13th round when he was fighting Kid Savage at The Garden, but damn, he was so close. If they just could have stopped the cut from bleeding.

That’s not Joe Santiago.

Bet a few eyebrows popped up when he suddenly took over the responsibility of getting Cotto ready to fight Joshua Clottey this past June. Wasn’t Santiago a nutritionist or something? So how did he get this job?

Well, he pretty much inherited it.

When Cotto’s uncle/trainer, Evangelista Cotto threw a cinder block through the car window of Cotto’s new Jaguar after the two had an argument and threw a few punches back in Puerto Rico earlier this year, their relationship became a little strained. The uncle was let go, camp was moved to Tampa and Santiago was handed the franchise.

Santiago passed his first test when Cotto beat Clottey despite a bad cut he suffered in the early rounds. But there were some problems in the corner that night.

“Sometimes in the corner we were a little late getting in and getting out and being where we should be between rounds,“ Santiago said on a recent conference call. “We had different people going in there and at times, it was difficult to work.“

With the biggest fight in Cotto’s life just up ahead, they need to smooth out those rough edges.

The franchise will earn about $10 million on Nov. 14 when Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) defends his WBO welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, though the fight should carry an asterisk since Pacquiao’s corner demanded they fight at a catch weight of 145 pounds instead of the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.

But Cotto and his camp don’t seem too concerned about the catch weight. Cotto weighed 146 for his last fight, that gutsy win over Joshua Clottey.

So what about Santiago. Is he in over his head?

“I have known (Cotto) for seven years and I know they talked about bringing in well-known trainers,” Santiago said from their training camp back at the Fight Factory in Tampa where they trained for the Clottey fight. “But I think the fact that I have known him for a long time and he feels comfortable with me gave me an advantage over all those guys. I think it‘s a question of getting everybody on the right page and I think we’ve done that.“

While Santiago is still learning his way around as a head trainer, Pacquiao will be sitting in his corner listening to Freddie Roach, one of the most respected trainers in the game. But Santiago said he doesn’t feel intimidated.

“I have a lot of respect for what Freddie Roach has done, but it has nothing to do with us,“ Santiago said. "It’s the fighters that are going to do the fighting. They have their work to do and we have our work to do. As long as our guy wins, we are going to get recognized for it.”

Promoter Bob Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, said Roach, who has talked about a first-round knockout, is a great trainer, but he’s also a great psychologist.

“A lot of what Freddie says is to get in camp Cotto’s head,“ Arum said on the same conference call. “There is nothing wrong with that. That’s boxing. The fight could go a lot of different ways, and that’s why it’s going to be a great fight.“

Any predictions from Cotto’s camp?

“On the 15th, we will be at 145 pounds, no question,” Santiago said. “On the 14th, it’s going to be a great night. And on the 15th, we are going to celebrate with the country of Puerto Rico.”

Pacquiao works out at Wildcard

2009-10-28T08:57:00.001-07:00

*click the image to view more.

Six-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao worked out Monday with chief trainer Freddie Roach at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood during his first day training since arriving in the United States on Saturday. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming “FIREPOWER” welterweight championship fight against three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, and will take place November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will also be available on pay per view.

Source: fightnews.com

Fight still on even if Cotto is 2lbs overweight

2009-10-28T08:56:00.001-07:00

Even if Miguel Cotto comes in over the catch weight for his Nov. 14 showdown with Manny Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach would still agree to push on with the fight.

Of course, on one condition.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion from Puerto Rico has to be just two pounds over at 145. Anything more than that, and the 12-round title bout would be called off.

“That’s the highest we could go (147 pounds). I would call the fight off if he comes in weighing more than that," said Roach, now back in the comforts of his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California after a month-long stay in the Philippines for the first part of Pacquiao’s training camp for his Nov. 14 slugfest with the 28-year old Cotto.

“We’ll let that fight happen, but I think 147 pounds is our limit."

Floyd Mayweather Jr. came up with that devious plan in his recent comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez as he came in two pounds heavier than the agreed catch weight of 144.

Although the unbeaten American shelled out $600,000 ($300,000 per pound over) as penalty for being overweight, Mayweather was spared from draining his body to meet the catch weight, and thus, came out fresh and the stronger fighter between the two.

In contrast, Marquez had to add weight (from 135 pounds to 144) in his first foray in the welterweight class, resulting in a spectacular, one-sided win for the 32-year old Mayweather.

Cotto has not fought below the welterweight limit (147 pounds) since 2006 and needed to go two pounds below to make the fight possible.

In contrast, Pacquiao will be fighting as a welterweight for the second time in a year. He first fought at 147 when he retired the great Oscar De La Hoya in their “Dream Match" last December.

Under the terms of the contract, Roach said Cotto is bound to pay Pacquiao $1 million for every pound over the 145 catch weight.

The WBO could also strip Cotto of his welterweight title in case he comes in overweight.

Prior to departing for the U.S. for the last two weeks of training camp, Pacquiao already weighs in at 146.

Roach said he plans to have the boxing champion comes in at 140-142 pounds during weigh-in, and then be at 148 or 149 on fight night.

In contrast, Roach expects Cotto to be 160 by fight night.

“The bigger he is, the better for us," said Roach. – GMANews.TV

Source: gmanews.tv

Watching Manny Pacquiao train in the Philippines

2009-10-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

The next time somebody says that it’s a small world please ignore him. Take it from me, having just done a whirlwind tour to the Philippines, then to New York, followed by a trip to Tampa, it’s still a very big world.

I recently visited the training camps of both pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines, and WBO titleholder champion Miguel Cotto in Florida. Since my first visit was to Baguio in the northern part of Luzon, where Manny is training, I will tell you about my impressions of Manny’s preparations in this article. In my next column, I’ll do the same about Miguel’s training base in Tampa.

To get to Baguio, one must first fly to Manila, the country’s capital. Philippine Airlines has a regular daily flight direct to Manila that includes a one-hour stop in Vancouver, Canada. Its rates are reasonable and the service is excellent.

The plane arrives in Manila at approximately 5 a.m., and the drive to Baguio takes four to five hours, depending on traffic. Only part of the drive is on a regular highway, after which the road continues through one small town after another with traffic moving very slowly. About one hour before arriving in Baguio, the scenery becomes spectacular. Green mountains and valley vistas highlight beautiful scenic views of the China Sea.

Baguio itself is a mountain town 5,000 feet above sea level. It was built by the United States after taking control of the Philippines from Spain after the Spanish American War. Our government constructed Camp John Hay, a beautiful recreational area with huge pine trees, a great golf course and other amenities. It served as a rest and recreation area for U.S. servicemen in Asia until 1990, when it was transferred to the Filipino government.

Camp John Hay now houses the Manor, a luxury hotel constructed entirely from Canadian logs. This is a very popular summer vacation resort for the Manila elite. Freddie Roach, Manny’s trainer and Alex Ariza, his conditioning guru, were both ensconced at the Manor when I arrived.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, chose to stay in a hotel in town which housed the gym in which he was training. If Freddie’s hotel rated five stars, which it does, Manny’s hotel was so awful it would not even get one star. If there was a minus category, it would rate a minus five. But there is no accounting for taste. Manny was happy as a clam at his hotel and refused constant requests to move to the more luxurious Manor Hotel where the rest of us stayed.

The gym that Manny trained in was not much different from the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California, so I could see right away why Manny and Freddie felt so comfortable training there. The residents of Baguio respected the rules with regards to private workouts, enabling Manny to train in relative solitude. On the other hand, the morning runs were quite different. Manny would start at five in the morning and soon, hundreds of runners would materialize out of the darkness and run with Manny up and down the hills and roads. It was quite a scene.

Manny’s workout at the gym can only be described as awesome. In more than 40 years as a boxing promoter, working with Hall of Fame fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran, I’ve never anything like it. His training sessions go on for about four hours without a break. After the usual warming-up exercises, Manny boxes most days with two or more sparring partners, then hits the mitts with Freddie for at least 10 more rounds.

This display of energy and stamina exhausts anyone watching, Manny doesn’t stop. He skips rope and works the heavy and light bags continuously for more than an hour. Only then does Manny finally stand still, which allows his Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez to pound his midsection with a bamboo pole for about twenty more minutes. The brutal workout finally concludes more than four hours after it starts.

In the sparring sessions, Manny trots out his entire arsenal of tactics and weapons. I was amazed once again to see him attack from one side and then the other. When his sparring mate reacts, Manny’s no longer there but is either right in front of his opponent or on the other side entirely. This unique tactic of disappearing in plain sight is the “Siegfried and Roy” weapon in Manny’s arsenal.

The shear athleticism that Manny brings to his workouts reminds me of the great martial artist Bruce Lee. The more one reflects on Manny and his ring performances, the clearer it becomes that he is the Bruce Lee of boxing. This athletic style is unique in boxing to Manny. In more than four decades of promoting fights, I have never seen anyone like Manny Pacquiao and his Bruce Lee style of boxing.

The mitt sessions with Freddie were also revealing. While Manny hits the mitts Freddie coaches him in moves he will undoubtedly use when he faces Cotto. It is fascinating to watch the teacher and pupil converse while Manny pounds on Freddie’s leather pads.

Three years ago, the mitt session would have consisted of Freddie giving instruction to Manny. Over time Manny the pupil, having learned so much from Freddie, takes an active and important part in the dialogue which sets out the plan Manny will use in fight night against Cotto. Watching the two of them interact now is like being at a boxing ballet, so well attuned are they to each other.

After three days in Baguio I headed down to Manila to catch my plane home. It left at 5 p.m. Sunday and arrived in Las Vegas at about 6 p.m. Sunday. Somewhere, somehow, I picked up a day which seems only fair since I lost one when I flew to the Philippines.

I also came away with the impression that Manny is getting better, improving all the time. Bottom line, Manny is getting into great shape as he prepares to give us another Pacquiao-Bruce Lee type of performance. He knows that in Cotto he faces his toughest foe ever, a real tough, determined opponent.

In my next column I will discuss Cotto’s training and just what he is doing to counteract the typhoon that is Manny Pacquiao.

Source: lasvegassun.com

Watch Pacquiao vs Cotto Live Streaming

2009-10-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

Watch Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Live Streaming

Pacquiao vs Cotto Face Off with Max Kellerman Round 1 HBO

2009-10-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

Get the latest catch the quickies news about "Pacquiao vs Cotto" right now i consider myself as one of the biggest avid fan of Manny Pacquiao. Blogging about his current status, latest insights, boxing news is like pure fun for me. Now HBO release this Face off between two brave men Pacquiao and Cotto. Unveil the truth behind their intention of fighting in the ring.
HBO videos, HBO, Pacquiao vs Cotto Fight, Pacquiao vs Cotto Boxing Updates, Pacquiao vs Cotto, Pacquiao vs Cotto News

Manny Pacquiao said: I love to listen music, love song, i'm so romantic. My first tatoo, I tatoo my own, here in my ahh when i was 13 years old. I do like needle I do my own

Manny Pacquiao is better speaking Scottish

2009-10-22T20:16:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao is better speaking Scottish

Grateful For Pacquiao Vs Cotto

2009-10-21T03:30:00.000-07:00

Although I'm grateful for Manny Pacquiao's upcoming clash with Miguel Cotto, I honestly believe that a bout with Shane Mosley would have been a much more explosive fight. Shane's the bigger man and a much more legitimate challenger in Pacquiao's pool of available fighters. He is widely recognized as the top champion in the welterweight division after his destructive win over Antonio Margarito, the same guy who handed Miguel Cotto his first loss.

That being said, it can be argued that the beating Cotto took from Margarito is in question after it was discovered that Margarito's handwraps were sprinkled with Plaster of Paris prior to his battle with Mosley. That fact alone leaves much to be debated and Cotto could almost be considered an undefeated fighter.

So even though it's not Shane Mosley, I still find myself excited over the prospect of Pacquiao slugging it out with Cotto in the squared circle. What's not to like? Pacquiao, who started his career at flyweight (106 pounds), will be fighting a true welterweight in Cotto, who's still in his prime, with a championship belt at stake. Adding more intrigue to the bout, Pacquiao is gunning for a seventh world title in his seventh weight division, a feat that no man has ever accomplished in boxing. Meanwhile, Cotto will be stating his case that contrary to what some people belive, he is not damaged goods after the brutal TKO loss that Margarito handed him.

The real excitement of this bout, however, is the fact that both of these guys have continued to take on tough challenges. Pacquiao fought the best there was in the lower weight classes, including the Mexican triumvirate of Morales, Barrera, and Marquez, on his way to the top. His most impressive performances have come recently, scoring victories over the legendary Oscar Dela Hoya, who many thought would win easily easily, and Ricky Hatton, who was once considered the top dog of the junior welterweight division. For his part, Cotto has also faced the best in the jr. welterweight and welterweight divisions. He defeated Shane Mosley in a close and difficult battle, stopped a prime Zab Judah, who was once considered to have the fastest hands in boxing, and also earned victories over former welterweight champion Joshua Clottey and former jr. welterweight champions Paulie Malignaggi and Ricardo Torres, who decked him twice before Cotto ultimately knocked him out.

What we have here is a legitimate contest where everyone can make a decent argument as to who can win and why he should win. We've got ourselves two of the elite fighters in the sport today that will march into the ring and lay it all on the line and hopefully, give us a fight of epic proportions that will reverberate for the years to come.

For that, we fight fans should be grateful.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: FightHype would like to welcome the talents of Kenneth Ragpala to the team.
Grateful For Pacquiao Vs Cotto source: fighthype

Mayweather Fight PPV Buys and Pacquiao vs. Cotto

2009-10-20T10:42:00.001-07:00

Mayweather Fight PPV Buys and Pacquiao vs. Cotto

With news that the Floyd Mayweather Jr/ Juan Manuel Marquez managed to reel in some 1 million pay per view buys last week, online bookies are licking their chops over the potential betting volume that could spill in from the much anticipated Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight coming this November 14.

"It's all relevant," explains Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com. "You have this type of demand for a fight, the volume increases in terms of overall betting."

Pacquiao vs. Cotto should draw an even bigger audience for both PPV and online betting shops. PACQUIAO vs. COTTO will take place Saturday, November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev., and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT..It has a suggested retail price of $54.95.

Despite a fight many viewed as a mismatch between the bigger and faster Mayweather and the smaller and slower lightweight champion Marquez moving up in weight, the fight was a giant success on pay-per-view -- especially considering it went head-to-head with a UFC pay-per-view card. Many industry experts had expected a pay-per-view buy rate in the 600,000 to 700,000 range, according to ESPN.com.

The fight generated $52 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue and is only the fifth time in boxing PPV history that a nonheavyweight event has reached seven figures.

Whom you will bet in Pacquiao vs Cotto fight Part 2

2009-10-20T10:34:00.001-07:00

WHO YOU LIKE? COTTO VS PACQUIAO (PART 2). Plus, Mayweather vs Marquez. Recorded Thursday, September 10 at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY. PRE-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE for Cotto vs Pacquiao featuring Bert Sugar (ESPN) and Bob Arum (Top Rank). Whom you will bet in Pacquiao vs Cotto fight Part 2

Whom you will bet in Pacquiao vs Cotto fight

2009-10-20T10:32:00.001-07:00

Whom you will bet in Pacquiao vs Cotto fight

ESPN Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

2009-10-20T10:30:00.001-07:00

ESPN Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Video

Pacquiao Vs Cotto Fight update Tecate brings to Las Vegas

2009-10-20T10:24:00.001-07:00

MONTERREY, N.L. MEXICO (Oct. 13, 2009) – Tecate, cerveza con carácter, announces the launch of a regional marketing campaign designed to bring boxing fans closer to the Nov. 14 encounter between Filipino star Manny Pacquiao (49-3, 37 KO’s) and three-time world champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s) of Puerto Rico. The welterweight world title bout will be broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View® from the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas beginning at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

“We have previously collaborated with Top Rank only in Mexico and are excited to give fans on this side of the border an opportunity to be a part of what is being coined the biggest fight of the year,” said Daniel Cuellar, sponsorship and media director for Tecate in Mexico. “Both boxers have a distinctive fighter spirit and embody boldness, passion, and character. This will surely resonate not only with our adult consumers, but also with boxing fans worldwide. We are thrilled to support this event and help create awareness through our campaign.”

Tecate is supporting the fight with an ad campaign that includes TV, radio and out-of-home. At retail, stores across the Western region will feature mass displays and POS materials, as well as commemorative 24 oz cans featuring Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

To ensure boxing fans don’t let the economy keep them from enjoying the fight at home, Tecate will offer a $25 mail-in discount for the HBO PPV event with the purchase of an 18-pack of Tecate or Tecate Light. This offer will be valid only in select states across the country, including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Leading up to the fight, Tecate will invite fans to a meet-and-greet with their favorite fighters, where they will sign autographs and take photos at the “Tecate Mobile Boxing Ring” in Las Vegas.

During fight weekend, Tecate will continue to turn this event into an experience by giving consumers over 21, the opportunity to win seat upgrades and witness the fight next to some of today’s hottest celebrities.

Holyfield breaks down Pacquiao vs Cotto and MORE

2009-10-20T10:18:00.001-07:00

Former 4 time heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield returns home to 8CountNews. Recently Evander made an appearance with "Iron" Mike Tyson on the Oprah Winfrey show. The two legends were there to set an example on how we as people should forgive one another. Tyson, on national television apologized to Evander for the 1997 infamous ear biting incident. Holyfield shares with the 8CountNews readers his thoughts on Tyson's apology, and his thoughts on Tyson's career as a whole. The former 4 time world heavyweight champ also talks about his career, and additional side projects that are important to him. Evander has a new project called "Going Green" where he aims his sights on global warming.

Additionaly, Holyfield breaks down the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight coming up in November. Holyfield predicts that Pacquiao defeat Miguel Cotto due to speed and defense. Don't miss what else one of the greatest fighters of our time had to say in this exclusive 8CountNews Podcast!

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto - Official Update

2009-10-20T10:14:00.001-07:00

TAMPA, FLA (October 19, 2009) -- With less than four weeks to go until FIREPOWER: MANNY PACQUIAO vs. MIGUEL COTTO, the World Welterweight Championship extravaganza, the major players in the most anticipated fight of the year will begin to make themselves available to the media.

From their Tampa-based training camp, Cotto’s head trainer JOE SANTIAGO and strength and conditioning coach PHIL LANDMAN, along with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, will host a Media Conference
Call, Tomorrow! Tuesday, October 20, beginning at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT to discuss Cotto’s conditioning and training as he prepares for the biggest and most important fight of his career.

Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the soldout MGM Grand in Las Vegas , Nev and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Show Me Da Manny Episode 5 Video

2009-10-20T03:10:00.000-07:00

Show Me Da Manny Episode 5 Video< - GMA Network brings back their forte in comedy with 'Show Me Da Money- featuring no less than world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao - who will be delivering his punch lines in his first-ever comedy show - and primetime queen Marian Rivera, who is out to unveil her funny side.

Sure to add more fun and excitement are Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, John Lapus, Rochelle Pangilinan, Lovi Poe, Kevin Santos, Tuesday Vargas, Mike 'Pekto' Nacua, AJ Dee, Lito Camo, Karl Acosta, and 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco, together with Dionisia 'Pacmom' Pacquiao in a very special role.

'Show Me Da Manny' tells the hilarious yet heartwarming story of amateur boxing champ Manny Santos (Manny Pacquiao) who runs his own boxing gym, Gym Santos.

All is well with Manny and his gym until the opening of the classy and modern Gym Paredes Fitness Center owned by the beautiful Ella Paredes (Marian Rivera), who is the only person in their community who dares to challenge the boxing champ. Helping Ella manage her gym are her two brothers - Eric (Paolo) and Oscar (Benjie) - who have been knocked out by Manny inside the ring.

Will Manny’s Gym Santos survive the challenge presented by Ella’s Gym Paredes Fitness Center ? But more importantly, what will happen when Manny discovers that aside from his gym clients, Ella has also won his heart? Will he be able to bring his business back and conquer the heart of his competitor at the same time? And can he remain funnily victorious until the bell rings?

Show Me Da Manny Episode 4 Video

2009-10-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Show Me Da Manny Episode 4 Video - GMA Network brings back their forte in comedy with 'Show Me Da Money- featuring no less than world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao - who will be delivering his punch lines in his first-ever comedy show - and primetime queen Marian Rivera, who is out to unveil her funny side.

Sure to add more fun and excitement are Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, John Lapus, Rochelle Pangilinan, Lovi Poe, Kevin Santos, Tuesday Vargas, Mike 'Pekto' Nacua, AJ Dee, Lito Camo, Karl Acosta, and 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco, together with Dionisia 'Pacmom' Pacquiao in a very special role.

'Show Me Da Manny' tells the hilarious yet heartwarming story of amateur boxing champ Manny Santos (Manny Pacquiao) who runs his own boxing gym, Gym Santos.

All is well with Manny and his gym until the opening of the classy and modern Gym Paredes Fitness Center owned by the beautiful Ella Paredes (Marian Rivera), who is the only person in their community who dares to challenge the boxing champ. Helping Ella manage her gym are her two brothers - Eric (Paolo) and Oscar (Benjie) - who have been knocked out by Manny inside the ring.

Will Manny’s Gym Santos survive the challenge presented by Ella’s Gym Paredes Fitness Center ? But more importantly, what will happen when Manny discovers that aside from his gym clients, Ella has also won his heart? Will he be able to bring his business back and conquer the heart of his competitor at the same time? And can he remain funnily victorious until the bell rings?

Miguel Cotto trains 100% condition for Pacquiao's KO

2009-10-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Miguel Cotto is now at his very crucial training in Tampa, Florida USA. At the Tampa Fight Factory Gym, Miguel continue to gain more practice and it is an 8 weeks of training.

Many of Miguel’s Fans had come and watch in a ring located in the middle of the field. As he do his regular training on the gym. Together with his trainer, Joe Santiago, he must do an intensive exercise and sparring session in order for him to defend his title to the pound for pound boxer in the whole world Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

Here are some of his training video in Tampa, Florida.

Show Me Da Manny with Marian Rivera Episode 3 Videos

2009-10-19T10:00:00.001-07:00

GMA Network brings back their forte in comedy with 'Show Me Da Money- featuring no less than world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao - who will be delivering his punch lines in his first-ever comedy show - and primetime queen Marian Rivera, who is out to unveil her funny side.

Sure to add more fun and excitement are Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, John Lapus, Rochelle Pangilinan, Lovi Poe, Kevin Santos, Tuesday Vargas, Mike 'Pekto' Nacua, AJ Dee, Lito Camo, Karl Acosta, and 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco, together with Dionisia 'Pacmom' Pacquiao in a very special role.

'Show Me Da Manny' tells the hilarious yet heartwarming story of amateur boxing champ Manny Santos (Manny Pacquiao) who runs his own boxing gym, Gym Santos.

All is well with Manny and his gym until the opening of the classy and modern Gym Paredes Fitness Center owned by the beautiful Ella Paredes (Marian Rivera), who is the only person in their community who dares to challenge the boxing champ. Helping Ella manage her gym are her two brothers - Eric (Paolo) and Oscar (Benjie) - who have been knocked out by Manny inside the ring.

Will Manny’s Gym Santos survive the challenge presented by Ella’s Gym Paredes Fitness Center ? But more importantly, what will happen when Manny discovers that aside from his gym clients, Ella has also won his heart? Will he be able to bring his business back and conquer the heart of his competitor at the same time? And can he remain funnily victorious until the bell rings?

Show Me Da Manny Episode 2 Video

2009-10-19T09:57:00.001-07:00

Show Me Da Manny Episode 2 Video. Get ready to rumble as the wackiest situational comedy hits the screen with the world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, who is ready to deliver his punch lines in his first-ever comedy show. Joining Manny in his KiliTV debut is prime time queen Marian Rivera, who is out to unveil her funny side.

Making the program more fun and exciting are Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, John Lapus, Rochelle Pangilinan, Lovi Poe, Kevin Santos, Tuesday Vargas, Mike "Pekto" Nacua, AJ Dee, Lito Camo, Karl Acosta and 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyo Velasco, together with Dionisia "PacMom" Pacquiao, in a very special role.

Show Me Da Manny tells the hilarious and heartwarming story of amateur boxing champ Manny Santos (Manny Pacquiao) who runs a boxing gym called "Gym Santos", a gym he inherited from his parents.

All is well for Manny until the opening of the sophisticated and modern "Gym Paredes Fitness Center," a new fitness center owned by the only person in the community who can dare challenge the boxing champ—Ella Paredes (Marian Rivera).

Manny Pacquiao Showbiz Images

2009-10-19T09:35:00.001-07:00

Show Me Da Manny Episode 1 Video

2009-10-19T09:29:00.001-07:00

Show Me Da Manny Episode 1 Video. What happens when 'Pound-for-Pound' King Manny Pacquiao team up with the Queen of Primetime TV Marian Rivera? The result - a totally hilarious show that is sure to tickle the hearts of Filipinos anywhere.

GMA Network brings back their forte in comedy with 'Show Me Da Money- featuring no less than world-renowned boxing champ Manny Pacquiao - who will be delivering his punch lines in his first-ever comedy show - and primetime queen Marian Rivera, who is out to unveil her funny side.

Sure to add more fun and excitement are Paolo Contis, Benjie Paras, John Lapus, Rochelle Pangilinan, Lovi Poe, Kevin Santos, Tuesday Vargas, Mike 'Pekto' Nacua, AJ Dee, Lito Camo, Karl Acosta, and 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco, together with Dionisia 'Pacmom' Pacquiao in a very special role.

'Show Me Da Manny' tells the hilarious yet heartwarming story of amateur boxing champ Manny Santos (Manny Pacquiao) who runs his own boxing gym, Gym Santos.

All is well with Manny and his gym until the opening of the classy and modern Gym Paredes Fitness Center owned by the beautiful Ella Paredes (Marian Rivera), who is the only person in their community who dares to challenge the boxing champ. Helping Ella manage her gym are her two brothers - Eric (Paolo) and Oscar (Benjie) - who have been knocked out by Manny inside the ring.

Will Manny’s Gym Santos survive the challenge presented by Ella’s Gym Paredes Fitness Center ? But more importantly, what will happen when Manny discovers that aside from his gym clients, Ella has also won his heart? Will he be able to bring his business back and conquer the heart of his competitor at the same time? And can he remain funnily victorious until the bell rings?

Catch more of Manny and Marian on 'Show Me Da Manny,' which will air exclusively on GMA Pinoy TV. Call your preferred pay TV operator now to subscribe.

Pilot episode schedule:

August 29
12:55am US/Can EDT
9:55pm US/Can PDT
7pm Japan
8pm Australia/ Guam
9:45 pm Dubai
8:45pm KSA
6pm Hong Kong/ Singapore

Aug 30
8:50pm US/Can EDT
5:50pm US/Can PDT

Manny Pacquiao Boxing Videos Greatest Punches

2009-10-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao Boxing Videos Greatest Punches

Manny Pacquiao Scandal

2009-10-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao Scandal Gloves of What, surely with this gloves Manny Pacquiao will win against Cotto
Manny Pacquiao Scandal

WHAT?

Manny Pacquiao's Speed Dazzles Sparring Partner Porter

2009-09-30T07:42:00.001-07:00

p>Manny Pacquiao's power has not put a dent in his sparring partner but his speed has impressed him very much. Undefeated junior middleweight Shawn Porter is being used, along with lightweight Urbano Antillon, to spar with Pacquiao at his Baguio City training camp. Pacquiao's speed is seen as the main weapon when he faces WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Porter (10-0, 8KOs) is a 2007 US Golden Gloves middleweight champion and alternate on the 2008 Olympic team. He sparred with Pacquiao for three rounds and said the speed of Manny was a big factor in the ring.

“Its’ not much about his power, it’s his speed,” Porter told the The Manila Bulletin.

Porter plans to spar with Pacquiao for the second time on Thursday. The sparring sessions are teaching him a lot. WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan has said in several interviews that his sparring sessions with Pacquiao had given him the drive to revamp his career after being knocked out by Breidis Prescott in less than a minute last year. A young fighter like Porter will learn a lot as well.

“I am looking forward to my second sparring with Manny, who is a great person outside the ring,” said Porter.

PACQUIAO VS. COTTO: QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED

2009-09-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

This week's official announcement of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto fight scheduled for November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas brings with it a wave of excitement for fight fans. The diminutive Pacquiao, boxing's acknowledged pound-for-pound king, will move north in weight once again to fight Cotto, the current WBO welterweight champ, at an agreed-upon catch-weight of 145 pounds.

Over the next four months, this match-up is certain to provoke a firestorm of debate among devoted followers of the sweet science. Both men are accomplished stars who inspire great passion in their fan base, and yet they have unanswered questions hanging over them at the moment—questions that will be settled once and for all when they fight in November.
Miguel Cotto Can Cotto Keep Pace with Pacquiao?

For Cotto, those questions center on a single, harrowing fight and its after-effects— his war with Antonio Margarito in July 2008. That fight is Cotto's only loss as a professional, but what a loss it was. In an electrifying fight-of-the-year candidate, Cotto took a commanding early lead, only to get steadily chopped down by his relentless opponent. Margarito was seemingly immune to pain that night, a Mexican terminator at 147 pounds. But when Margarito was subsequently caught with illegal, hardened inserts in his hand-wraps prior to his fight with Shane Mosley this past January, the speculation immediately swirled about the savage beating he'd dished out to Cotto. Was it administered with loaded gloves? If so, how much did it take out of the Puerto Rican star, and could he ever expect to be the same?

Those questions still haunt Cotto's career more than a year later. He's had two fights since the loss to Margarito—an easy victory over Michael Jennings in February to capture the vacant WBO welterweight title, and then a June battle with the tough veteran, Joshua Clottey. Despite fighting most of the bout with a nasty gash above his left eye, Cotto found a way to eke out a split decision over Clottey. But, according to Doug Fischer, the co-editor of RingTV.com, Cotto's performance provided no conclusive answers as to whether the boxer has made it all the way back to his pre-Margarito form.

"Some folks, like myself, were impressed with the way he gutted out a close decision against a bona fide welterweight contender, with basically one eye," Fischer explains. "But there's another camp that thinks he's just not the same guy he was. He appears to them now to be a solid welterweight, but not someone who could conceivably be the welterweight champ anymore or a top-five pound-for-pound player."

HBO commentator Max Kellerman agrees that the verdict is still out on Cotto. He sees the fighter's best blueprint for beating Pacquiao in Cotto's victory over Shane Mosley in December 2007, but wonders whether Cotto has that kind of fight left in him. "The dominant question here is whether Cotto can handle Pacquiao's speed," Kellerman says. "And the good news for Cotto is that his timing was able to offset Mosley's speed, and Mosley's lightning fast. But is this the same Cotto who beat Mosley? He cuts more easily now, and he doesn't seem as quick as he once did. And in Pacquiao, he's going to have to offset a guy who at this moment is faster than Shane, and who's a southpaw, and who has just shown us that he can really punch, even at these higher weights."

There's no doubt that Pacquiao presents a frightening package to any opponent right now, but he's not without question marks himself, particularly when faced with a proven heavy-handed puncher of Cotto's size and caliber. "The question for Manny is, 'Can he take a shot from a guy who has more than respectable power as a welterweight?'" Fischer says. "Because I think Cotto has the ability to catch Pacquiao and hurt him."
"Pacquiao has looked great in his last three fights," says RingTV.com's Doug Fischer, "but he's also fought the perfect opponents, the perfect guys to make him look like a million bucks."

Of course, whether Pacquiao could handle the power of naturally bigger men has been the primary subplot heading into his three most recent fights, and each time he answered with a resounding "yes" and with increasingly spectacular emphasis. Last June, in his first fight above 130 pounds, he dominated then-WBC lightweight champ David Diaz. Six months later, he moved all the way up to 147 pounds and destroyed Oscar De La Hoya in an explosive performance that catapulted him to superstardom. Then in May, he followed up his De La Hoya masterpiece with a crushing second-round knockout of junior welterweight champ, Ricky Hatton.

It was an astonishing trio of victories that, taken as a whole, would seem to pose quite a convincing response to any doubts about Pacquiao's ability to cope with the size and pop of just about anyone. Still, doubts linger.

"Pacquiao has looked great in his last three fights," Fischer says, "but he's also fought the perfect opponents, the perfect guys to make him look like a million bucks."

Fischer is quick to qualify that statement by saying that he's felt that Pacquiao was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world going back to around his second fight with Erik Morales in 2006. Like almost everyone in boxing, he is blown away by what Pacquiao is accomplishing in the ring right now. Nevertheless, victories over the slow, plodding Diaz, the old and weight-drained De La Hoya, and then the artless and overrated Hatton have not completely sold pundits that Pacquiao, a guy who won his first title as a flyweight, is up to the challenge of fighting an elite welterweight.

The Cotto fight should put those doubts to rest one way or the other. "If Cotto still has it, Pacquiao is going to be in there against a natural welterweight in his physical prime with a lot of pride," Kellerman says. And then we'll find things out."

Or, as Fischer puts it, "The way Pacquiao got rid of Hatton was impressive, and you have to give him credit for it, because he just blew him out of the ring. If he blows Cotto out like that, then my God…he's just a great fighter."

And Fischer is talking great as in "all-time great." Come fight night, Cotto will seek to prove that he's still among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport today. But Pacquiao will be competing for an even heavier bounty: to stake his claim among the best pound-for-pound fighters the sport has ever known.

source: hbo.com

Pacman form impresses Roach

2009-09-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

BAGUIO CITY - From the crowd that flocked around the reigning pound-for-pound king came a yell: “You can easily beat Cotto!”

Manny Pacquiao smiled, and shot back: “Oo, may shampoo naman kami. (Yes, we have shampoo, anyway).”

The response may have been an attempt at humor—reigning WBO champion Miguel Cotto’s surname sounds almost exactly like the Filipino for lice—but trainer Freddie Roach, who arrived Tuesday to begin training Pacquiao in his quest for the Puerto Rican’s welterweight crown, was impressed at how quickly his ward has whipped himself into shape.

“He was very sharp,” said Roach after watching Pacquiao for the first time since the two teamed up to successfully destroy Ricky Hatton last May 2.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think he was in the gym for a month. His combinations are fast and his power is already there. His mind-set, we’re on the same page that we know how to fight Cotto.”

The trainer arrived in Manila along with conditioning coach Alex Ariza and American bodyguard Rob Peters and headed straight to this popular vacation getaway around lunchtime.

Wearing a T-shirt with the face of national hero Jose Rizal, Roach took charge right away in Cooyeesan Hotel’s Shape-up Gym.

“Without a doubt, this is our best start,” said Roach. “He’s now in great shape and I’m fine with that.”

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 knockouts) will battle Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) over 12-rounds for the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Both combatants agreed to fight at a catch weight of 145 lb.

Pacquiao started his workout ahead of Roach’s arrival, doing road work at this city’s hilly routes and working on crunches to firm up his abdomen.

“Mahirap gawin ito, pero kailangan (It’s difficult but we need to do it),” said the boxing superstar. “Body puncher si Cotto (This is difficult but we need to do it. Cotto is a body puncher).”

“My trainers and I have devised ways to fight him,” he added.

With Roach taking over the training yesterday, the two worked on counter shots and footwork inside the ring.

This weekend, four sparring partners led by undefeated American boxer Shawn Porter are scheduled to arrive. All are capable of simulating the style of Cotto, according to Roach.

“Porter is my main guy right now. He’s 11-0 with 10 knockouts and is a light middleweight who’s got a strong left hook,” said Roach.

Meanwhile, the declaration from Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s camp that “Pretty Boy” should be declared the No. 1 boxer in the world still doesn’t hold water despite an impressive demotion of Juan Manuel Marquez over the weekend.

At least, that’s what the sport’s acknowledged bible, Ring Magazine, says.

The highly respected magazine released its pound-for-pound rankings for September and had Pacquiao still at No. 1, with Mayweather shooting up to No. 2 after his triumph over Marquez.

Last Sunday, Pacquiao said Mayweather can have the mythical pound-for-pound title because the undefeated American earned it with his latest conquest, which came after a 21-month hiatus.

“[Mayweather] can boast about being better because he has finished his job [of beating Marquez],” Pacquiao said. “I still have to finish mine and hurdle Cotto.”

Mayweather leapfrogged past Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins, who were third and fourth on the Ring list. Marquez slipped to fifth with the defeat.

source: inquirer.net

Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao Promo

2009-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao vs. Cotto Boxing News Updates

2009-09-02T02:11:00.001-07:00

The fight will take place in a 20-foot, and not 24-foot, ring.

Promoter Bob Arum today said that the Pacquiao/Cotto fight would be contested in a 20-foot ring, contradicting a report in Primera Hora yesterday in which Cotto's trainer, Joe Santiago, stated that it would be held in a 24-foot ring. Santiago was under the impression that the ring would be 24-feet square because that is apparently what Pacquiao's team requested in the negotiations. But the Nevada State Athletic Commission adheres to a standard ring size of 20 feet and rarely makes exceptions. Arum claims that he doesn't know where the rumor of a 24-foot ring started, but it's not true. Most observers believe that a larger ring would be to Pacquiao's advantage, allowing him more space to box against a fighter many deem to be much slower than him.

Freddie Roach says the fight will go the distance.

In this interview with David Tyler over at Doghouse Boxing, Freddie Roach predicts that Pac/Cotto will go the distance. "Cotto certainly has his hands full but he has some advantages against us," Freddie says. "By fight time he will be 20 pounds heavier than us. He will be the bigger, stronger fighter who is a very resilient guy. Of course he has started to cut lately and I’m hoping that will be a factor for us. Manny’s speed will bust him up a little bit, I hope. I just believe that Cotto is taking this fight more serious than any fight he has had."

No site yet determined for Pacquiao's training camp.

Because Pacquiao is unable to hold his entire training camp for the Cotto fight in the U.S., other sites are currently being sought by his team, although nothing has been decided yet. Cancun is supposedly high on the list of potential locations. Pacquiao wants to train in the Philippines, but Freddie Roach is against it, feeling that their would be far too many distractions for the native hero. When one considers that the fighter is currently over there shooting an action movie (his eighth action movie, actually), well, you kind of have to think Freddie might right about that. Speculation is rampant on the internet that the confused state of Pac's training plans and that the movie-star distractions may catch up with the mighty Filipino when facing a bigger fighter of Cotto's caliber, but for myself, I seriously doubt it. He's had distractions in his camps for years, and he always shows up on fight night focused and in tip-top shape. I've seen it with my own eyes - the guy has a Jedi-like quality in the midst of chaos.

Anticipation high for press tour kicking off at Yankee Stadium.

The first official presser for the fight will be a gala event, open to the public and held at Yankee Stadium on September 10. It's well-known that members of the Yankees are Pacquiao fans, including Derek Jeter, who likely will be ringside for the Pac/Cotto fight. From New York, the press tour moves to Cotto's hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico on September 12, and then moves to AT&T Park in San Francisco on September 13 with an open-to-the-public event after a Giants/Dodgers game. The tour concludes with a press-only event in L.A. on September 14.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto Boxing News Updates

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Images Latest Photo

2009-09-02T02:07:00.002-07:00

Cotto's Main Objective is To Stop Pacquiao's Movement

2009-09-02T02:07:00.001-07:00

The main objective for WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is to stop the quick movement of Manny Pacquiao by cutting off the ring. Cotto wants to prevent Pacquiao from jumping in and out with quick combinations during their November 14 bout. Cotto plans to keep the fight as close as possible and not allow Pacquiao to create distance. In his training camp, Cotto is working in a 20 foot and a 24 foot ring, using both to cut the distance. Cotto has been sparring with Frankie Santos.

Cotto is confident that his boxing skills are than those of Pacquiao and says a 20 foot will give him the advantage, not Pacquiao.

"Pacquiao is not a better boxer than Miguel Cotto. So if someone is to benefit from the ring, it is going to be Miguel Cotto," Cotto told El Nuevo Dia.

Since the arrival of physical trainer Phil Landman, Cotto has begun the second phase of his training camp and he is really taking his body to the limit.

"I feel a little bit exhausted, me muscles are sore. But this is normal in the first couple of weeks. We have worked hard as was usual do," Cotto said.

Landman wants Cotto to have the same physical condition [if not better] that he showed in the June decision win over Joshua Clottey.

Thoughts on Mayweather vs Marquez 24/7 episode 1

2009-08-31T03:36:00.001-07:00

"Boxing is what I do. I lace up my boots. I put on my fly shorts, and I fight. Just like that. Ya dig?!"

Love him or hate him, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is like a train wreck you simply can't resist looking at. No doubt the former pound-for-pound best boxer in the planet is talented. No doubt the man they call "Money May" will go down in history as one of the greatest. No doubt Mayweather still makes a lot of money. But is he still the best boxer in the planet? That's when the doubts start coming in.

And to those small-thinkers who think I am one of the Mayweather bashers that wish for his fight to not sell, you got to start thinking fresh and realize that if I truly wanted to bury Mayweather and Marquez's fight, I would simply not write about either of them. Truth be told, I am a supporter of all fighters. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifices to be a legitimate fighter. You can hear me preaching like a pastor during MMA events on how boxing is a great sport and vice-versa. With that said, I just call it how I see it. And today, I wanted to share my thoughts on last night's first episode of Mayweather-Marquez 24/7.

The pilot episode highlighted two things. First, it announced that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is indeed back and that he still lives lavishly. Second is perhaps the fact that Juan Manuel Marquez has definitely moved on from his loss against Pacquiao in March of 2008- or at least he says he has and did it by acknowledging himself in his head that he actually defeated Pacquiao twice. I tend to do things like that sometimes too when I try to make myself feel better like this one night in Vegas when I convinced myself I won a lot of money in the casinos to cover the bitter reality that I actually lost a lot.

It's unfortunate how Marquez's career is still being defined by those two fights against Pacquiao, especially when he kissed the canvas four times in those two fights. Marquez has definitely accomplished a lot and perhaps this is his shot to finally step outside Pacquiao's shadow and shock the world by beating Mayweather or forever be cast inside it as one of the greatest who fell victim to the greatest of this era.

Mayweather Jr. is back and said he rediscovered that fire to box after a couple of years of finding himself and soul-searching.

"I know how fighters is. They love that limelight." said Roger Mayweather, Floyd's uncle and trainer.

Floyd wasn't the only person back however. He reunited with his dad Floyd Mayweather Sr. after nine years of discord and attempt to rekindle their father-and-son relationship. Sr. was not only back in Mayweather Jr.'s camp, he was also back in HBO's 24/7 show. Sr. notably stole the show on Pacquiao vs. Hatton's 24/7 with his colorful personality and hilarious quotes and tirades over Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach.

It was a nice look behind the scenes seeing father and son back together and getting a glimpse at their human side. Mayweather Jr. also showed how he gave back to the community when he gave away hand-outs to homeless people in the streets of Vegas. I wonder what was in the small brown bag though that he gave away together with a bottle of water. I mean, as much cash "Money" was flashing, that better not be just a dollar quarter-pounder and I hope he does indeed do all of that on a regular basis and not only when the camera is rolling.

Speaking of rolling, I will never take my son rollerskating in Vegas ever. I take some of the kids I mentor in the Indianapolis area to the skating rink, and it is a lot of fun as well, but gunshots at a skating rink? Really? Whoever is guilty of that should definitely be locked up. If they gave Plaxico Burress two years for shooting himself on the hip, they should put this guy away for firing a weapon around kids.

Another issue that begs questioning is the condition of Mayweather's ribs. I was kind of suspicious of all the padding Mayweather Jr. had on his ribs. If I was Nacho Beristain right now, all I'll be preaching my student would be ribs, ribs and more ribs. I'll even put a picture of some honey barbeque baby back slabs on my punching mitts just to get my point across.

Overall the first episode of Mayweather-Marquez 24/7 was okay. Got to give HBO props for the shots and camera work they did. If you missed the show, I have attached the video of it below.

Thoughts on Mayweather vs Marquez 24/7 episode 1

Cotto vs. Pacquiao Fighter’s Fight

2009-08-31T02:41:00.001-07:00

Cotto vs. Pacquiao Fighter’s Fight

By Walter Fonseca: On Nov 14th, Miguel Cotto will be facing Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. If your a fight fan and or fighter/boxer, you should be excited as I am. Two of boxing’s exciting and great warriors are set for battle and it promises to be an all out action packed WAR.

First, we have Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2 37 by ko), who is coming off of a recent destruction of Ricky Hatton, a fighter who in my opinion wasn’t overrated at all. He was just not as good as everyone thought he was. Pacquiao has the chance to become the first boxer to win 7 belts in different weight classes, a huge accomplishment if he can get pass Miguel Cotto.

Now lets analyze the Pacman: First of all, he has very fast hands and good foot work, and over the past few fights has had good lateral head movement. However, he still has the tendency to get a little wild at times and tries to brawl which would not serve him well against a pretty good counter puncher like Cotto.

I believe that most people feel that Pacquiao’s greatest weapon for this fight is his speed and ackward movements, which often give his opponets trouble. The question on everybody’s mind is can Pacquiao really take hits from a real welterweight, even though Cotto isnt a really big welterweight?

Well, in my opinion no he was caught a few times by Oscar De La Hoya, and it didnt hurt him but it got his attention. The same for when hatton connected – which neither De La Hoya and Hatton did much of – but that doesn’t mean that Pacquiao will be beaten by Cotto. Pacquiao can still win. Manny can’t stay still or get caught or it isnt going to be an early night.

I honestly don’t see how anyone can say that Pacquiao is going to stop Cotto. I just dont see it happening at all. The only way I think Pacquiao can win is by scorecards or because of a referee stoppage due to a cut.

Manny is a very talented fighter, ferocious and has got a lot of guts. Even though I think that he is good, I don’t think he’s an all time great. By no means am I taking anything away from him; He has accomplished a lot and has given his people a lot to cheer about, but I cant help but notice that many of his opponents have been cherry picked.

Pacquiao fought both Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera at the end of their boxing careers, beating both of them. But I think Pacquiao lost both of his fights against Juan Manuel Marquez. Now to more recent fights, Pacquiao fought a washed up, old, dehydrated DeLa Hoya and Hatton, who was never an elite fighter to begin with, and who has zero defense. But again not taking anything away from Pacquiao, he did what he had to and his trainer, Freddie Roach picked good fights for him.

We have Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s) who is coming off of his slim win over Joshua Clottey in June. I felt that Clottey rightfully lost the bout because of the first round knockdown and Clottey’s lack of work in the last rounds. I hear so many people say Cotto will get dominated and he will get knocked out, and so forth and so on. But I don’t think that’s the case.

Cotto has a good shot at winning. He has at least to me proven that he still has heart and good boxing skills. Cotto did seem a little uneasy at times in the Clottey fight but to me its understandable Clottey is a big welterweight.

Cotto might be able to offset Pacquiao’s speed with his counte punching, his power and good boxing skills, like Cotto did against Shane Mosley, Carlos Quintana and Zab Judah. Many people believe that Cotto is damaged, but I personally don’t think that. Cotto can win if he finds a way to hit Manny.

I do believe if it goes to the score cards it will be hard for Cotto to win. The favorite – in this case, Pacquiao – always has a advantage, just like the Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz fight, which was a shame for boxing. Cotto has a tendency to get gassed in the later rounds and do a lot of baking up. He needs to be prepared and in top shape to prevent that from happening.

Cotto isn’t slow at all but he isn’t faster than Pacquiao. Not taking anything away from Cotto but he isn’t what he was before (before his 11th round TKO loss to Antonio Margarito) but he is slowly coming back to his former self.

Whether Margarito used plaster or not, a loss is a loss no matter if it wasn’t fair. Cotto needs to get back up and move on fast if he intends to win. It’s going to be an interesting fight no matter the outcome and I’m counting down the days. Cotto/Pacquiao is going to be a very great fight, a fight of the year. I hope the fans show both Cotto and Pacquiao the respect and admiration these two great warriors deserve for what they do for the sport of boxing.

This wouldn’t be a good piece without a prediction, so here it goes: I see the fight not going past the 10th round. The only way Cotto can win is by stoppage or knockout in the later rounds, maybe sooner. I believe that Cotto right now is the hungrier fighter and that he will deal with Pacquiao’s speed. It might give him trouble in the beginning but he will adapt like he has against the other fast fighters he has fought. I don’t see Pacquiao taking Cotto’s shots but again it’s boxing and anything can happen.

So there’s my prediction. I see Cotto winning by late stoppage or knockout in later rounds. I think he’ll be too strong for Pacquiao, and a lot stronger than anyone Manny has faced as of yet. People said that about both De La Hoya and Hatton but Cotto is on a whole different level.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Fight

2009-08-28T02:46:00.001-07:00

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Fight

Everyone around the globe is now excited and can’t wait for one of the biggest upcoming bout this year: The Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez bout.

The said fight was scheduled for 12-round in a welterweight division. Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight was scheduled on September 19, 2009. The said fight was rescheduled after Mayweather suffered a rib injury during his training. It was supposed to be scheduled last July 18, 2009, if not of the injury that happened to Floyd Mayweather.

“Number One vs. Numero Uno” is the “title” of the said fight since both of the fighters claims to be the number one boxer back in their countries.

The Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight will take place at the ever popular MGM Grand Arena at Las Vegas. It will also be televised live on HBO’s Pay-Per-View. It’s the same date of the Mexican Independence Day.

Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m.

Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $600 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at

Cotto vows to stop Pacquiao

2009-08-28T01:27:00.001-07:00

Miguel Cotto exuded confidence when asked about his chances against Filipino fireball Manny Pacquiao in a recent ‘interview’ made possible by the Puerto Rican’s legal adviser, topnotch lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano. Less than three months before he collides with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Cotto told Fightnews and Manila Bulletin that Pacquiao is beatable and he has Pacquiao all figured out. “His weaknesses are obvious to me,” said Cotto.

While Cotto acknowledges that Pacquiao is one hell of a customer in the ring, the 28-year-old bomber is not awed.

“(Pacquiao) lost to (Erik) Morales in their first fight, had a draw against (Juan Manuel) Marquez and then a razor-thin victory in the rematch. Pacquiao faced a very tired and aged (Oscar) De La Hoya. Then Ricky Hatton, an overrated fighter,” said Cotto.

“Against me the story will be different. It will be a war,” said Cotto, who is already in his fourth week of training in Puerto Rico under the watchful eyes of chief trainer Joe Santiago and South African conditioning coach Phil Landman, who has arrived from Los Angeles.

Landman was amazed at the condition of Cotto when he first reported for work on Monday, stressing that the fighter followed the advice that he gave him following the June 13 victory over Joshua Clottey.

Cotto will continue to train in Puerto Rico in the coming weeks and will try to keep in shape even while on a four-city press tour with Pacquiao beginning Sept. 10 in New York. Other stops of the Top Rank traveling circus would be Caguas in Puerto Rico, San Francisco and finally, Los Angeles.

Cotto will transfer his training camp to Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 19.

Told about the key to victory against Pacquiao, Cotto was direct to the point.

“Hard training as always has been the key to my victories.”

And his message to Pacquiao and the Filipino people?

“I will only say that in November 14th I will step into the ring as always in excellent condition, and will win the fight for the glory of Puerto Rico,” concluded Cotto.

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight Prediction

2009-08-26T19:57:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight Prediction

Ex-Pacman rival picks Pacquiao over Cotto

2009-08-25T02:01:00.001-07:00

CHICAGO - Former world lightweight champion David Diaz has become a firm believer in Manny Pacquiao ever since the Filipino ring icon took away his 135-lb belt via a ninth-round TKO last year.

And now that “Pac Man" is proceeding with his plans to conquer the heavier weights, particularly the welterweight division in his upcoming “Firepower" duel with tough Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Diaz sees yet another Pacquiao triumph.

“Manny is beating the best of the best," Diaz said during a recent press conference in Chicago, admiring how Pacquiao dismantled two marquee rivals after him, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. "He’s doing unbelievable things, He is awesome. My hat’s off to him, a great fighter, a great person."

David Diaz, left, with Jesus Chavez during a recent press conference for their Sept. 26 duel at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. – Joseph G. Lariosa
But the 33-year-old Diaz said it won’t be totally a walk-in-the-park for the 30-year-old Pacquiao given Cotto’s “patience."

“(In the end,) Manny will outbox him (Cotto) and beat him in the later rounds. (There’s going be) no KOs (though)," he predicted.

Diaz is making a comeback after a year off following his loss to Pacquiao. On Sept. 26, Diaz is battling two-time world champion Jesus “El matador" Chavez of Mexico in the “Warriors Collide/Windy City Fight Night 6" card set at the UIC Pavilion in his native Chicago.

While Diaz (34-2-1) can predict the outcome of the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown, he declined to make a projection on his duel with Chavez (44-5-0), who previously held the WBC super featherweight and IBF lightweight belts

Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao are bigger than the WBO

2009-08-19T02:17:00.001-07:00

All of the drama surrounding the WBO's intervention into the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao contract negotiation was pathetic and pure madness. I appreciate that many of you want to see Manny try for a record seventh world title. I do too, but the title issue, which I understand has been resolved, was an afterthought. Money and catch weight drove this thing initially--period.

The World Boxing Organization wanted it to be a title shot because it technically is a fight that will occur within the welterweight limit and the entity stands to make a good chunk of change. Fine. What if the two fighters had contracted to meet at 141 instead of 145? The WBO template still exists since it is above the junior welterweight limit. Mandatory title fight? The better question may be what if Cotto weighs-in at 147 instead of 145? Most certainly such would breach the Pacquiao contract; however, he would absolutely be in compliance with WBO rules regarding maximum weight for welterweights.

The reality is that the World Boxing Organization turned on its champion and the most blatant example is making Manny Pacquiao the number one challenger in order to force Miguel's hand. The WBC doesn't have Manny ranked at welterweight. There is no Pacquiao listed at 147lbs on the IBF ratings board. How about the WBA? Negative. The Ring? Nope. The WBO didn't even have Manny on its radar screen at welterweight until this month. I could be wrong, but I believe the WBO did the same thing when David Haye-Wladimir Klitschko was still an option.

The Cotto-Pacquiao bout in November is going to be an all time classic and it was going to be that way whether or not the WBO played a role. The fact that the title is on the line now though means that it may have historical significance. It is highly unlikely that Manny will defend the title if he is able to secure it, well at least not at the full 147lb weight limit and certainly not against whoever the number one challenger may be (Joshua Clottey is currently ranked number 2). My guess is that if Floyd Mayweather, Jr. can get past Juan Manuel Marquez next month, he will come out of nowhere to be the WBO's number 1 welterweight contender (Mayweather is not currently ranked by the WBO).

Manny Pacquiao beat Oscar De La Hoya into retirement and has most likely done the same to Ricky Hatton. He won't accomplish that against Miguel Cotto. Win, lose, or draw and Miguel will still be a force within the welterweight division. He doesn't need a title to justify anything, let alone the WBO title. Neither does Manny. Both men are bigger than any championship strap.

If Manny wins in November, my hope is that he will raise the belt and then hand it to the WBO president, Francisco Valcarcel. If Miguel wins, then my hope is that he gives it to Bob Arum for picking up the sanctioning fees required by the WBO. The belt will make a touching parting gift between Cotto and Arum. Cotto can then go get his old WBA belt back from Shane Mosley.
source: examner.com

Cotto's training goes full blast

2009-08-17T02:06:00.001-07:00

The arrival of a conditioning coach and a nutritionist signal the start of Miguel Cotto’s full-blast training for his November 14 clash with Manny Pacquiao.

The past two weeks, Cotto has been showing up in a local gym in Puerto Rico every other day for light workouts under the supervision of chief trainer Joe Santiago, something that his team believes will help them prepare for the toughest training camp the 28-year-old Cotto will head into in the coming weeks.

Cotto said Los Angeles-based Phil Landman, a South African native, is due in Puerto Rico on August 22. Two days later, Landman will be running alongside Cotto in the morning and attend the afternoon workout as well as they try to come up with a battle plan for Pacquiao.

Their main concern about Pacquiao is the Filipino’s blinding speed and this is the reason why Cotto is even thinking of tapping the services of a Lilliputian fighter Ivan Calderon, also of Puerto Rico, to help him get use to the Filipino’s lightning-quick reflexes.

Calderon is a mere 108-pounder but his quickness, Team Cotto, says, will enable Cotto to experience what would it be like to be on the same ring with Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, remains in the thick of his showbiz commitments, filming a movie that is due for release during the December film festival.

But chief trainer Freddie Roach has already done his homework, having signed up four sparring partners, including young junior-welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano and lightweight Urbano Antillon.

Pacquiao is not going to begin training until he gets back to the Philippines from a four-city press tour that kicks off on September 10 in New York. From the Big Apple, Pacquiao will travel to Puerto Rico, then to San Francisco, and finally to Los Angeles.

Pacquiao plans to train for one or two weeks in Baguio before camping out possibly in Mexico.

Cotto's training goes full blast

Pacquiao vs Cotto Firepower Boxing Wallpapers

2009-08-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao vs Cotto Firepower Boxing Wallpapers

Pacquiao's entrance song "They Call Me Pacman"

2009-08-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Intro

I know you've been waiting,
Well I'm here now.
To put on a good show,
And please the whole crowd.
I've trained hard for this,
Blood sweat and tears.
I have no fear,
This gonna be tha fight of the year.

Chorus

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

Laid out on ya back and thats a fact,
Cause I'm the Pacman (Who!) I'm the pacman

Verse

I'm Manny *PA* *PA,PA,PA* *PA* *PA,PA* Pacquiao,
And I'm hear to knock the gum shield straight out 'cha mouth!
I'm the product of the streets that I'm from,
The barrio slums to number one champion.
Reprentin' for my people in my heart until I die,
What can I say, that's who we are, nothing but Pinoy Pride!
(MABUHAY!) Meet my left hook, now ya shook!
(ARAAAAY!) Referee needs to take a second look!

Chorus

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

(They call me) Pacman, and my plan,
Is to knock you out man,
I'm the warrior from the Philippine Islands

Laid out on ya back and that's a fact,
Cause I'm the Pacman (Who!) I'm the Pacman

Now tell me WHATS UP!

Bridge

You're looking weak in the knees pare (HAHA!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (Wussssup!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (HAHA!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (Wussssup!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (HAHA!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (Wussssup!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (HAHA!)
You're looking weak in the knees pare (YEAH!)

Beat Drop

Manny *PA* *PA,PA,PA* Pacquiao, Unique Umali
Manny *PA* *PA,PA,PA* Pacquiao, Unique Umali
Manny *PA* *PA,PA,PA* Pacquiao, Unique Umali
Manny *PA* *PA,PA,PA* Pacquiao, Unique Umali

Outro

Hot P sucker! Aww! Uh, Yeah,
Fredie Roach sucker! Yeah!
Pacman sucker, sucker! Yeah!
Unique Umali, haa, Unique Umali!
Let's go

Cotto vs Pacquiao Official boxing date Nov. 15

2009-08-13T03:31:00.000-07:00

The contract for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown has been -- as the age-old cliché goes -- signed, sealed and delivered.

This was confirmed by Pacquiao's lawyer Jeng Gacal, who also said Cotto will be putting his WBO welterweight title on the line when the Puerto Rican star collides with the Filipino ring icon on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With Pacquiao-Cotto officially a title bout, the current pound-for-pound king now has a rare chance to become the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in as many divisions.

Pacquiao had previously wrested the WBC flyweight, IBF super bantamweight, Ring Magazine featherweight, WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBO junior welterweight crowns.

In a TV interview today, Gacal said Pacquiao and Cotto will slug it out at a catch weight of 145 lbs. Cotto had earlier insisted on meeting the General Santos City-based southpaw at the welterweight limit of 147 lbs.

Regarding the splitting of the fight revenue, Gacal said Pacquiao, as expected, will get the lion’s share at 65-35. He, however, did not specify how much the guaranteed purse is for each combatant.

The Pacquiao lawyer added that the fight will be aired over GMA Network, the same broadcast firm that aired Pacquiao’s previous outings against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

"This will be a great fight. Although Cotto is the much bigger and stronger fighter, Manny is faster and also has power," he said.

Cotto vs Pacquiao Official boxing date Nov. 15
source: philstar.com

Hatton will fight Pacquiao again second time around

2009-08-13T03:24:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach gave a hint about the strategy that they will be using against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto when Roach said that he’s “Training Manny to not get hit,” in an interview at Doghouse boxing yesterday. So, it seems that Pacquiao will be using a bit of the old in and out fighting strategy against Cotto on November 14th.

I figured as much, because the little Filipino is probably too small and weak to stand in front of the powerful Cotto for 12 rounds without breaking apart under the strain. I’m disappointed in Roach. I thought he was going to be coming up with a new strategy specifically for Cotto. But, this looks like the same old recycled plan that was used in Pacquiao’s fights against David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao is on cruise control with that one strategy. Talk about being one-dimensional. This is going to be easier than I thought it would be. Pacquiao uses the same in and out strategy in every fight along with that right hook of his. Cotto is going to eat that simplistic style up and take advantage of Pacquiao’s predictable simpleton style. I wonder why Roach can’t show Pacquiao some new tricks to learn.

I know Pacquiao’s getting up there in age at 30, but he should be able to learn some new things. I’m telling you, if Pacquiao tries that in and out jazz against Cotto, he’s going to get timed and drilled each time Pacquiao comes in. Pacquiao is so predictable it isn’t even funny. He skips around on the outside and then jumps in to try and land.

It’s when Pacquiao comes forward leading with his right hook that Cotto will greet him with a straight right hand down the middle. All Cotto has to do is block the right hook with his left hand each time and drill him with the fight. Pacquiao is right hook happy now and seems to be overusing in his past few fights.

He got away with it because he was fighting an energy drained Oscar De La Hoya and an unprepared Ricky Hatton. Cotto, however, will be ready. He’ll see what I’ve seen and realize that all he has to do is block Pacquiao’s right hook and drill him each time Manny comes rushing forward. Pacquiao hasn’t had to deal with a fighter that uses a jab very often in his past few fights.

Diaz and Hatton were mostly looking to land big power shots and De La Hoya was too weak after the 1st round to put up a fight. Cotto, although clearly weakened due to the 145 pound catch weight, will be jabbing Pacquiao repeatedly and waiting for Pacquiao to throw his right hook.

Pacquiao’s left hand is easy to predict because he telegraphs by moving forward as he’s getting ready to throw it. Cotto will block the shots to and fire back with right hands. Roach better try and teach Pacquiao to keep his eyes open when he punches because he’s going to get hurt if he tries that amateurish punching against Cotto. Roach may try to teach Pacquiao not to get hit, but it’s not possible.

Pacquiao is too predictable and crude with his fighting style to avoid getting hit. He always runs forward when he attacks and like I said, his use of his right hook as his lead punch is a given nowadays. Roach teaches Pacquiao that one punch and now that’s all Manny throws.

It works against fighters with no defense like Hatton, but not against a skilled fighter. Cotto is going to destroy Pacquiao if he tries that old tired trick and stick it up his backside.

Hatton will fight Pacquiao again second time around
source: boxingnews24.com

Hatton will fight Pacquiao again second time around

2009-08-13T03:18:00.001-07:00

Manchester legend Ricy Hatton has claimed that he will fight again according the the sun. However, the Hitman stated that he will not be fighting Amir Khan; due to circumstances involving Khan’s promoter, Frank Warren. Hatton also stated that a fight with Khan could happen in the future, if Khan is still at his level. Hatton seems to think Khan may meet his match very soon and get knocked out.

I am personally over joyed at Ricky’s announcement. I am sure we will see him rise straight back to the top level in boxing. He said the only title left for him is the pound for pound title and that is the one he will chase. We all know that the loss to Pacquiao was of no means of Hatton’s quality. He lost because he was over trained, past his peak and left in a mentally shaken state by trainer and poet, Floyd Mayweather Snr.

Floyd Mayweather Snr really gave Hatton as worse preparation as he possibly could for the Pacquiao fight. Hatton might as well have had Paul Chuckle in his corner and used his younger brother Barry as a sparring partner, as I have said before. If Ricky was at his peak and had a half decent trainer in his corner we all know Pacquiao would not last three rounds with the big punching Manchester man, who is often compared to the legend Roberto Duran.

Anyway, less of Paul Chuckle. Who will he fight next? I would advise Hatton to go for one of the young upcoming unbeaten lads. Maybe Alexander Devon. Just as a warm up. Assuming he got through that he might then work towards a rematch with Pacquiao and even Mayweather.

If Cotto beats Pacquiao and Marquez beats Mayweather, he has a huge chance of getting a rematch with either of them. I also believe if the referee at the Mayweather fight did not go out of his way to shake Hattons rhythm, Hatton would have knocked him out. Long live the King.

Hatton will fight Pacquiao again second time around
source: boxingnews24.com

Pacquiao or Cotto can take $40,000 WBC strap FREE

2009-08-13T03:15:00.001-07:00

Pacquiao or Cotto can take $40,000 WBC strap FREE

To hear Don Jose Sulaiman, 78 year old President For Life of the World Boxing Council, tell it, the newly created sparkling bauble dubbed the organization’s “Diamond Belt” will add glitz and glamor to the already hot Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto Nov. 14 bout.

And not that money has ever been any consideration to these brilliant fighters or to their promoter Robert Arum but the price is right for the belt which Sulaiman said cost about $40,000 to manufacture.

Give me an F.

Give me an R.

Give men an E.

Oh, hell, give me another E.

Thus, a nimble navigator such as the soon to be age 78 Top Rank Top Honcho could have Pacman fight the Puerto Rican for the WBC’s new belt and keep $300,000 in his own pocket rather than fork it over to Paco Valcarcel and the WBO where Cotto is the welterweight champion.

Sulaiman, for his part, prefers to emphasize the uniqueness of the jewel encrusted bauble which he said he and his son Mauricio thought up.

“This is for very special fights between very special, elite fighters only,” Sulaiman told me Wednesday by telephone from his Mexico City home. “Winning this belt, especially the very first one, would like Germany capturing the World Cup or the Dallas Cowboys winning the Super Bowl.

“I should also inform you that when an elite fighter wins the Diamond Belt, he cannot lose it. It is his to keep forever. So this also makes it very special. My son and I looked at a big fight like Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins, two elite fighters, and it was a financial failure. The public saw there was nothing at stake other than victory, there was no title belt on the line.

“We like to be evolutionary at the WBC and this special belt brings special attention to the fighter who wins it. I spoke with Arum about this, he very much likes the idea but took no position at all. He did like the idea.”

Sulaiman labeled Manny and Miguel as historic fighters completely embraced by their respective countries.

“I think both are supreme heroes in their lands,” Sulaiman said. “Manny is easily the most famous athlete ever from the Philippines. Cotto is a supreme hero and beloved in Puerto Rico.”

So what happens if the WBO belt held now by Cotto is also up for grabs?

“No problem for us,” Sulaiman said. “If the WBO is involved, fine. If not, then it is also fine.’

Clearly, Sulaiman would dearly love to have Pacquiao accepting a formal presentation of the Diamond Belt at the 2009 WBC Convention in South Korea. Little problem there, though, as the WBC confab is slated for Nov. 1-8.

They say diamonds are forever.

I’m starting to think the what belts, if any, will Cotto and Pacman fight for saga is also forever.

Please do not confuse the Diamond Belt with the garish, tacky Trainer's Trophy won by Coach Freddie Roach over Floyd Mayweather Sr.

As I reported exclusively on a who cares basis, that prestigious gonfalon was found in the dumpster behind Nacho's Bowling Alley and Auto Reupholstery Shop on the busy commerical section of Hollister Avenue in sunny Goleta.

Promoter Golden Boy spent $37.32 to have the trophy reglazed and I hear that Coach Roach said it now makes a fine doorstopper at the Wild Card Gym.

Naturally, the Goldens made Top Rank share the big expense.
source: examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao Magnolia Drink Commercial

2009-08-13T01:21:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao becomes famous not just in boxing but in commercial also. Manny Pacquiao for magnolia TV advertisment is one of his TV publicity funny commercial, watch: Manny Pacquiao Magnolia Drink Commercial

Dionesia: Drenk yor magnolya melk perst
Manny: Yes Maam!

Cotto Vs Pacquiao Greatest Video Blow by Blow Fights

2009-08-12T03:12:00.001-07:00

Who will win in the ring with these two boys collides.

Watch Miguel Cotto's Greatest Hits

Watch Manny Pacquiao's Greatest Fights

According to People's Voices favored Manny Pacquiao:

Barrera, Morales, Marquez was devastated by Manny Pacman Pacquiao, all those four provided this lifetime with most of it's fights. If you want to be the best boxing fighter, you must be a good boxer with a strong heart, and those four have it in spades, and I salute them for their courage and willingness to fight the poud for pound king.

Manny Pacquiao is great boxer gifted with speed and power plus brave heart and high spiritual energy to win a boxing fight. Manny's destiny is already written in the stars no one can debate that he is the only one boxing champion. Manny past was not really easy as what he is having now, his poverty before is not hindrance to become the greatest boxer of the world. According to his history, he is a construction worker doing the mixing cements in a shovel at age 17 while fighting for a prize of 2 dollars in manila, he also sell boiled egg everynight and buys food of what he will earn for that night.

According to People's Voices favored Miguel Cotto:

Miguel Cotto will destroy Manny Pacquiao and he will be doing it in few rounds. Pacquiao brings his biggest mistake in his life provoking Cotto out his 2nd mistake will be showing up to the boxing ring still thinking hes has a chance his 3rd mistake will be getting knocked out by Cotto Pac will lose the fight

4th mistake = not apologizing to cotto for giving his wife a great time a few hours later that night.

This is just a tune-up fight for Pacquiao as for Marquez is for Mayweather.

Which will soon see, two best pound for pound fighters going at it, but for now.. pacquiao and mayweather will finish up knocking out their "light work" aka cotto, and marquez.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto tickets go on sale

2009-08-12T02:12:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto tickets go on sale

Tickets for the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao showdown, called "Firepower," will go on sale Monday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The mega-fight is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Fans who register their email address on the Top Rank website will be able to purchase their tickets up to 48 hours prior to August 17.

Tickets are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150. Sales in the $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 ranges are limited to 10 per person. The $150 tickets are limited to two per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 tickets per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or go to www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) of Puerto Rico is the WBO welterweight champion, and a top 10 pound for pound fighter, while Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) of the Philippines is the IBO and Ring junior welterweight champion, and the best pound for pound fighter in boxing today. The two will meet at a contracted maximum weight of 145 pounds, with Cotto's WBO welterweight title on the line. If Pacquiao wins, he will have earned a historic seventh belt in seven different weight classes. No boxer in the history of the sport has accomplished such a feat. The recently retired Oscar de la Hoya is the only other boxer who has won six titles in six weight classes.

Cotto has begun training for his showdown this past week, while Pacquiao anticipates starting his training around the middle of September. The Filipino phenom is an early 2-1 betting favorite among oddsmakers, however, Cotto appears to be the biggest fighter that Pacquiao will have ever faced come fight night on November 14.

Cotto vs Pacquiao tickets for sale

2009-08-11T02:10:00.000-07:00

Since the day the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao showdown was announced in late July, I have been inundated with questions about when tickets will go on sale for the Nov. 14 superfight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and how much will they cost. I've also been asked repeatedly about whether Cotto's welterweight title will be at stake.

Now, I have the answers.

Top Rank announced Monday that tickets for the fight -- dubbed "Firepower" -- will go on sale Monday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

They are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 (not including applicable service charges). Ticket sales in the $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 ranges are limited to 10 per person. The $150 tickets are limited to two per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 tickets per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or go to www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) and Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) will meet at a contracted maximum weight of 145 pounds. There has been quite a bit of discussion about whether Cotto's WBO welterweight title will be on the line.

Pacquiao, the reigning lineal junior welterweight champion after knocking out Ricky Hatton in the second round in May, and trainer Freddie Roach want the title at stake because a victory would give Pacquiao titles in a record seven weight classes (flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight).

Cotto has been reluctant to put the title up because he is coming in under the division limit of 147 pounds. However, at 145 it's still a welterweight fight, so logically the belt would be at stake. Nontitle bouts are only fought when a titleholder is heavier than the division's maximum weight limit.

But whether Cotto balks or not, the belt is going to be at stake, somebody closely involved in fight told me Monday. Whether Cotto will give up the title or be stripped and Pacquiao will fight for the vacant belt is unclear. Cotto could also just defend the title (which is what he should do). Whatever scenario plays out, my source said the title will "definitely" be at stake at least for Pacquiao. So if he wins, he'll get the belt and all the Pacquiao worshippers can rest easy. Your man can make history.

I'm no huge fan of all the alphabet titles, but there is an exception to every rule and this fight is it. Keep this in mind -- without the title on the line, it's still a must-see fight between two of boxing's best and most exciting fighters. But I'd like to see Pacquiao have a shot at the statistical milestone of winning titles in seven divisions even if all the titles in today's era have watered things down. That said, if it was so easy to win titles in seven divisions wouldn't everyone be doing it? Fact is, nobody has ever done it and I'd like to see Pacquiao at least have the opportunity to set the record and for Cotto to do his best to keep him from doing it.

Anyway, back to the tickets for a minute. Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels told ESPN.com that there would be "under 5,000" tickets available in the public sale. The rest of the approximately 10,000 tickets are earmarked for Top Rank customers, the fighter camps, the MGM, fight sponsors and HBO (which will televise the bout on HBO PPV for $49.95 if you can't get tickets).

Top Rank is using some of its tickets for a promotion on its Web site in which you can buy tickets ahead of the public sale. If you register at http://www.toprank.com/Secure/SignUp/ you will be e-mailed a link and code to purchase tickets up to 48 hours before the they go on sale to the public.

There will also be a four-city media tour to promote the bout. It kicks off Sept. 10 with an open-to-the-public news conference at Yankee Stadium. On Sept. 12, the tour moves to Cotto's hometown in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where there will be another public event. Then it's off to San Francisco, where there will be a public event at AT&T Park on Sept. 13 following the Giants game. The tour concludes with a press-only event Sept. 14 in Los Angeles.

Top 10 reasons why Juan Manuel Marquez may defeat Floyd Mayweather, Jr

2009-08-11T02:09:00.000-07:00

On September 19, 2009, unanimous current number 2 pound-for-pound fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez, will face former number 1 boxing retiree, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Vegas odds have the fight favoring Mayweather by a heavy margin, but here are my top 10 reasons why the odds-makers may be wrong and why Marquez may defeat Mayweather, Jr.:

Number 10. Tale of the tape. With the exception of a reach advantage that Mayweather rarely uses in his favor, there is only a one inch height advantage. It is assumed that Floyd, Jr. will rehydrate more after the official weigh-in, but not that much more. I do not expect to see a naturally bigger Mayweather in the ring next month because he simply cannot sacrifice speed in favor of power against Marquez. In "short," this will not be a big guy v. little guy fight, which works to Marquez's advantage.

Number 9. Roger Mayweather. Without question, Uncle May needs mad props for training an exceptional athlete--his nephew. Team preparation was not all that impressive against a declining Oscar De La Hoya though, and a win against the overrated Ricky Hatton came down to nothing more than baiting predictable Rick to walk chin first into a check hook. Team Mayweather also has Roger's recent legal problems as a distraction. Camp drama is never a good thing when preparing to fight anyone let alone an elite class warrior like Marquez.

Number 8. Mayweather's ribs. If we believe him, then Mayweather suffered a rib injury in training camp that caused the original fight date to be postponed. Everything is fine just two months later? If the rib injury is real, then Mayweather will have a chink in the armor that can be exposed.

Number 7. Nacho Beristain. Nacho is part trainer, part drill sergeant. Not that Marquez needs to be motivated, but he will come into the fight absolutely prepared for battle--physically and mentally.

Number 6. Chinny chin-chin. Marquez is like those one of those old Weeble Wobble toys. He goes down, but always pops back up. No man has ever earned a knockout of any variety over Marquez. Aside from Ricky Hatton leading with his chin, Floyd hasn't knocked anyone out since Sharmba Mitchell in November 2005. Don't expect Mayweather to be the first man to knock Marquez out.

Number 5. Work ethic. See also No. 6 above. Like Mayweather, Marquez may be a natural counterpuncher, but he is also a pressure fighter who makes his opponents work every round. If Mayweather cannot knock him out, then Money May better be ready to work for the full 36 minutes.

Number 4. Momentum. See also No. 5 above. A significant portion of Marquez's knockouts have come in the last half of his fights and he is coming off two great wins over Juan Diaz (TKO 9) and Joel Casamayor (TKO 11). He simply will not fade down the stretch like Oscar De La Hoya did.

Number 3. Ring intelligence. Both men have Ph.D.'s in pugilism; however, Marquez has shown that there isn't a fighter who he can't match intellectual wits with. Juan Diaz punished Marquez until Juan Manuel figured him. Once that happened, it was game over for the Baby Bull.

Number 2. Ring rust. Mayweather hasn't fought since December 2007. Up to that point, he was on about a two fight per year average. If his defensive mastery has deteriorated in any way, Marquez will exploit it.

Number 1. Manny Pacquiao. It is safe to say that Marquez is not looking past the Mayweather fight; however, he must fully understand that the only realistic shot he has to secure another date with Pacquiao is by defeating Floyd, Jr. A loss to Mayweather would be catastrophic to that goal and Marquez is as focused as any fighter in the sport today. Some may argue with this point, but Marquez and Pacquiao are better fighters today than they were before they fought each other. They may be rivals, but the hell they both walked through during the 24 rounds that they faced each other was an invaluable education in heart and guts. I'm not sure that Floyd, Jr. is not already looking beyond Marquez to a bigger potential payday with Manny.

Those are my top 10 reasons why Juan Manuel Marquez may defeat Floyd Mayweather, Jr. next month. On Wednesday, I will publish my Top 10 reasons why Mayweather may defeat Marquez. Is it September yet?

Pacquiao vs Cotto Boxing's Welterweight Division 2009

2009-08-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao vs Cotto Boxing's Welterweight Division 2009

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2009-08-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

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2009-08-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

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no doubt that cotto will knockout pacquiao

2009-08-08T20:01:00.001-07:00

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT MIGUEL WOULD KNOCKOUT PACQUIAO

Having worked with the likes of Thomas Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya and Lennox Lewis, world-class trainer Emanuel Steward is no stranger to talent. Working double duty as an HBO commentator as well as the trainer for heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, Steward's time is limited so it's not often that he's willing to take on new fighters. However, recently, Steward announced that he's eager to work with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto to help him prepare for his highly-anticipated clash with Manny Pacquiao. In fact, Steward is so confident of his abilities as a trainer and Cotto's skills as a fighter, he's virtually guaranteed a knockout victory on November 14 if the two were to team up. "If we reach an agreement to work together, I have no doubt that Miguel would knockout Pacquiao," Steward revealed in a recent interview with Carlos Gonzalez of Primera Hora.

Although Steward has admitted that Manny Pacquiao will go down as one of the all-time great fighters in the sport, he also believes that Miguel Cotto has the tools to defeat the Filipino superstar. "I'm one of the few people that gives Miguel a big chance in that fight because of his boxing. Miguel is perhaps the best body puncher in the sport. I have seen some things that I can improve and I know that he can knock him out," Steward stated. The world-class trainer also points to the fact that Cotto is a tough fighter who's willing to face anyone, as evidenced by his last bout against Joshua Clottey, where he fought through adversity and still won the fight despite suffering a nasty cut over his eye. "I'm a big fan of Miguel because he never refuses to fight the best. No other boxer would accept that fight [against Clottey] much less continue fighting with an injury like that. They don't give Miguel the credit he deserves and I know that many people don't give him a chance to win against Pacquiao, but I do," he continued.

Cotto trains ahead of Pacquiao

2009-08-05T07:19:00.001-07:00

Cotto trains ahead of Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - His fight with Manny Pacquiao is still 11 weeks away and a handful of kinks have yet to be ironed out, but that has not stopped Miguel Cotto from plunging into training mode.

The Puerto Rican WBO welterweight champ started sweating it out on Monday, running at the Freire de Cidra Stadium in his hometown of Caguas, and capped his first practice by working on the heavy bags, according to Examiner.com's Ricardo Lois.

Cotto is scheduled to face Pacquiao on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas in a fight that is not only several months away but also a couple of issues from being formalized. Most of the kinks center on the catch weight, with Cotto saying he will only stake his title only if the match is pegged at 147 pounds.

Promoter Bob Arum announced that the fight would be at a 145 lb catch weight.

Cotto breezed through the initial hurdles set for him by trainer Joe Santiago.

"I feel good to be starting," Cotto told Carlos Gonzalez of Primera Hora. "I am going to take things little by little, working three days a week. I needed to be in the gym again."

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is busy honoring numerous commitments in the country.

Team Pacquiao has already announced an eight-week camp for the Cotto bout. And part of that camp could be spent away from trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym in Hollywood.

Arum has advised Pacquiao, an early 2-1 favorite in betting, to spend the first half of his training outside the United States for tax considerations.

Meanwhile, Roger Mayweather, trainer and uncle of returning former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., has been arrested and charged with two felonies by the Las Vegas Police Department.

Roger, who was freed Monday after posting a $13,000 bail, was accused of coercion and battery with strangulation by professional female boxer Melissa St. Vil.

source: inquirer.net

Pacquiao Taking it Easy Way To The Top

2009-08-04T20:26:00.001-07:00

I was going to write a well documented article on the marketability and quality of many young boxing talents around the globe, from countries such as Britain, USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Then I realized, hey, I need the hits. So, I’m going to have a bit of a rant about Pacquiao. Why is he building a legacy out of nothing. Yes, the non boxing fans will be fooled by his opponents disadvantages but experts such as myself certainly are not.

De La Hoya was shot. Dead at the weight and Roach knew it. That’s why he chose to fight him. Hatton was under prepared and past his peak and was vulnerable to big shots. Marquez, arguably beat the Filipino twice, in two bouts which PacMan Marquez did not win. So, you can see why I am not rushing to put Pacquiao at the top of Boxingnews24’s p4p list. I’d sooner have Jerry Hackney on it. Of course, Pacquiao is a good boxer, but that’s as far as I’ll go.

He is preparing to fight Cotto, who, as a matter of fact is also being forced to shed the weight and come in two pounds under the maximum welterweight limit which the bout is taking place at. That’s fair enough, however, Cotto has been forced to place his welterweight title on the line because Pacquiao wants to win his 7th title in as many divisions. Maybe this works in Pac land but for everyone else this is daylight robbery.

Ricky Hatton Speaks

2009-08-04T20:24:00.001-07:00

It has been three months since Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) lost inside two rounds to Manny Pacquiao at the MGM in Las Vegas. Until now, the 30-year-old former IBF, WBA and IBO light welterweight and WBA welterweight champion has been tight lipped about his boxing future and discussion about the devastating loss to Pacquiao in May. He has shunned all media requests for interview and discussion about his boxing future but today in the UK gave his fans some insight into his thoughts about the Pacquiao fight and his future with a full length interview on Sky Sports News. He stated, “There has been so much written about me in recent weeks that has been untrue that I thought it was about time I started doing some interviews and clearing up the issues I am reading about on a daily basis.”

On the Manny Pacquiao defeat, Hatton was quite open and frank about his preparation for the fight and stated, “To be honest when I walked to the ring on the night of the fight I knew I had left my best preparation in the gym three weeks previous. Before I went to the US to finish my training my weight was spot on and I felt great but when I arrived I think I had left everything in the gym in the UK. I knew my sparring in Las Vegas had not gone well and when I entered the ring I remember saying to myself that all I needed was one big shot and I could take out Manny and that was my hope. I knew it was going to be a big ask and by the time the first knockdown came it was Pacquiao that had landed fifty eight punches on me and I just couldn’t get into the rhythm I wanted to. I had my hands held low and everything was all wrong. It was a devastating loss and I still haven’t watched the fight and not sure when I will be ready to see the fight. It went from my best training camp in the UK to my worst ever camp when I overdid it in the last three weeks. That is the only things that niggles me about the fight and calling it a day. I know with better preparation I could have done better.”

When asked about his future in boxing he added, “I must admit when I see young lads get knocked out now it sends a shiver down my spine. I haven’t decided whether to carry on boxing or not but I know that I am going to have a good long rest from the sport before deciding either way. I have been doing this professional game of boxing now for 13-years and I have crammed 47 fights in that 13-years and they have been some tough fights. I have never been a master of defence and so those 47 fights have been exactly that – tough fights. I just think for the time being I have just had enough of it, for the time being. I am just going to enjoy the time with the family and my son Campbell and put my feet up. If one day I wake up and think I am ready to get the gloves back on, then I will return, but likewise-if that date doesn’t come, I won’t return and I know I have only been beaten by the two best pound for pound fighters in the world by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio and there is no shame in that. I have won 5 world titles in two weight divisions and had a post war record crowd of 56,000 at the City of Manchester Stadium so I can hold my head up high. I may give it another go after a good rest but I will have to say watch this space and wait and see. At the moment I am not thinking about boxing and just getting on with my promoting.”

When questioned about a possible match with new WBA 140 pound champion Amir Khan he stated, “I am delighted for Amir–he has really turned his career around after a bad defeat and his performance was deserved for all his efforts. He is a wonderful talent and is on the start of his career. If I do decide to continue then this is a fight that would be a big night for British boxing, but it is well documented about my problems with Frank Warren and it would be a non starter unless I promoted it and not Frank. It all depends on whether I decide to continue boxing again however.”

Pacquiao Wants Cotto’s WBO Title to Be On the Line For the Fight

2009-07-31T02:22:00.001-07:00

Manny Pacquiao is hoping that Miguel Cotto’s WBO welterweight title will be on the line for their November 14th bout at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. For Pacquiao and his legion of loyal boxing fans, the title is important because it will somehow give Pacquiao more validity as a great fighter because it will – if Pacquiao wins – be his 7th world title victory. Cotto, however, doesn’t want to have to pay the sanctioning fees to, which is what he’d have to do if his title was going to be on the line.

The sanctioning fees would be in the neighborhood of $300,000, so it’s hard to blame Cotto for not wanting to dish out that kind of money for this fight. Additionally, the fight is being held at a 145 pound catch weight instead of the normal 147 pound limit for a welterweight bout, meaning that Cotto might be weaker than he normally is for a fight because of the extra water weight he’ll have to take off to get down to 145.

It seems logical that he wouldn’t want to have to put his title on the line if he’s being forced to strip off weight that’s below the normal welterweight limit. The World Boxing Organization president Franciso Valcarcel is fine with the title being on the line for the 145 pound catch weight.

However, that doesn’t solve the problem of the sanction fees. Cotto doesn’t want to fork over that kind of money, whereas Pacquiao has no problems with paying it. His, though, will be a reduced amount of only $150,000. Pacquiao is the one that wants the title. Hence he sees no problems with paying the sanction fees for it to be on the line.

But, unless Cotto or his promoter Bob Arum springs for the bigger sum, Pacquiao will have to be satisfied with just fighting Cotto without the title. It’s hard to say what the hang up is about the title being on the line, because you really can’t call it a title fight if the bout is being held at a lesser weight.

The WBO president seems to be taking an odd look at this. If Pacquiao wants to fight for the title, then he should agree to take the fight at 147 and not push for a lower weight and still want the title on the line. That’s a bit unfair and I can’t blame Cotto one bit for not wanting to pay the sanctioning fees. Let Pacquiao come up to the normal weight, and then they can talk about sanctioning fees.

Hopefully, Arum doesn’t try to push Cotto into making this a title fight. It seems unfair to the Puerto Rican star to have his title on the line if it’s not going to be at the full weight. It just seems wrong. The belt wouldn’t change anything whether Pacquiao won the title or not.

It isn’t as if the public really cares whether Pacquiao has won one title or ten. Their main focus is that he’s fought good opponents and not the weaker, weight drained variety. This is why Pacquiao blew it in the first place when negotiating for the fight.

He should have agreed to fight Cotto at the full 147 welterweight limit if he wanted the title to be on the line. You can’t make a champion agree to come in at a lower weight, a move that benefits Pacquiao, in an effort to fight for their title. That’s really a joke as far as I’m concerned and makes it seem as if Cotto is being set up to fail.

Pacquiao Wants Cotto’s WBO Title to Be On the Line For the Fight

Pacquiao doesn't need Cotto or his belt

2009-07-31T02:03:00.001-07:00

Pacquiao doesn't need Cotto or his belt

Truth be told Manny Pacquiao does not need Miguel Cotto, nor his belt. Just based on both fighters' recent history, it should be Cotto crawling on all fours wanting to fight Pacquiao to revive his slumping career.

I don't know whether Cotto is posturing or is simply stubborn when he said he wouldn't put up his WBO welterweight belt against Pacquiao even if he had to vacate it. Fighting words from the gallant Puerto Rican, but why would Pacquiao care?

If that's the case then Cotto isn't really interested in the biggest payday and break of his career after all. If I was a Team Pacquiao adviser, I'd simply tell Manny to walk and explore his many other options.

Mosley is willing and waiting in the wings and would even go down to 140 and take 40% of the pot just to dance with Manny. Of course there's still the option of paying Marquez step-aside money as Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself suggested and get right down to business with "Money May". Or he can stay in his division and fight the winner of Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell next week at the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs. Call me T.I. because fact of the matter is Manny, "you can have whatever you like". Such are the rewards of being the best and most popular boxer in the planet. When Cotto actually locates his heart after Antonio Margarito beat the crap out of him and fighting the last four rounds of his controversial win against Joshua Clottey on skates, then he can start acting like a diva.

Really? He will vacate his title just so Pacquiao wouldn't be able to get a shot at it? That's simply disrespectful in my book. You wouldn't even give a much smaller person a shot at a belt he very well deserves if he beats you just because of two almost meaningless pounds? Even when it means you are to get the biggest payday of your career? Really?

Pacquiao did not invent title fights at a catch weight, in fact great boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard have done it before him in the past. The welterweight limit is from 141-147 pounds, the 147 is just the maximum weight they can come in at the weigh-ins. Realistically, Pacquiao is really that small compared to Cotto so the two pounds only makes it sensible. Just a year ago, even Bob Arum himself said imagining Pacquiao in the ring with Cotto was ludicrous and he simply could not see it happening. That was then, this is now. And now all of a sudden it's ridiculous for Pacquiao to ask for a title-fight for asking Cotto to come down 2 pounds?

Let's put things in proper perspective. Pacquiao does not need Cotto right now. Actually, Cotto is fortunate that he is getting all this attention and publicity after his ho-hum victories and devastating loss to Margarito. A lot of people even consider him damaged goods and actually lost to Clottey. That's not to say I agree with that, I personally feel Cotto is still one of the toughest fights for Pacquiao out there but it doesn't mean it's the best fight for him necessarily especially if it would be a beltless fight and if Cotto would go out of his way just to not make it a title-fight. Pacquiao can fight Mosley who is a better sell for American veiwers and Pay-Per-View buyers anyway. You also finally get to see Pacquiao fight an African-American boxer, one of the best at that, as some people have been clamoring for. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record but Pacquiao got options... Pacquiao got options....Pac-paca-pac-pa-pac-pac got chiki-chiki op-tions... Pacquiao got op-o-o-options. Broken record, scratch, scribble, dice and transform it, whatever it takes to send the message. Got it? Good. (By the way shout out to my boy DJ QBert, one of the best skratch DJs to have ever lived)

Perhaps somebody whispered something behind Cotto's ear for him to be confident of whatever happens at the moment. It's almost as if he is willing to just finish up his contract with Top Rank against whoever and jump ship to Golden Boy where promised greener pastures await. It makes sense. De la Hoya could have very well guaranteed Cotto a shot at Mayweather or a rematch with Mosley with some serious dough in tow. Nobody really believes that all Cotto and De la Hoya did was a round of golf a couple of weeks ago.

That's besides the point however. Last time I checked, Pacquiao hasn't signed any papers to fight Cotto yet. Cotto is a good opponent but there are better options for Pacquiao out there if Cotto insists on playing hard-to-get. He can go for Mosley's belts at 143 if he wants to rather than negotiate with a fighter people consider as "damaged goods".

Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao questions, no answers, no title....no fight

2009-07-28T19:49:00.001-07:00

After all the punch and grab over whether or not this fight would actually happen, finally a deal was struck and the announcement was made. Bob Arum stated that the fight was agreed upon by both parties and that November 14th would be the defining moment in the careers of two of the sports most prominent warriors.

After all the celebration for the official announcement, there seems to be a few key issues that stand in the way, and some close to the situation have began to wonder whether or not we actually have a fight.

It's hard to believe that we don't until you stumble across one major detail......Neither signature has touched the contracts yet!

When Bob Arum was quoted last week as saying that "it should be done this week or early next", I knew there was more to the mix than what we were being told. It's one thing to have a verbal agreement over the phone from thousands of miles away (Cotto in Puerto Rico and Pacquiao in the Philippines) but it's another story when guys get to see things face to face and learn that some of the details were not completely addressed.

Seems there wasn't a complete understanding for whether or not the title would be on the line, and apparently, all the issues surrounding the economics have yet to be hashed out as well.

Arum was recently quoted as saying that sanctioning fees could tally up to $400K, however, research has revealed that $340K is the magic number, with both fighters forking over $150K a piece, and Arum contributing $40K as the promoter.

Many have jumped on Cotto's back for failing to pay his portion of the sanctioning fees, but few have stopped to notice that Pacquiao has yet to pay his either, and there is no clear indication that he will. Sounds odd in theory, but the only reason I would think he has failed to do so is because other aspects of the contract have yet to be resolved, as we know that he's more than game to carry out his end of the bargain.

The next few days will be very pivotal, but I guess Major League Baseball's World series being in October was a good thing. That's the reason Arum wanted to push the fight back to November as opposed to Pacquiao's October 17th request. Looks like now that extra month will be spent entirely on re-negotiating a fight that we were told was already complete.

Whatever the case may be....fellas....get 'er done!

Pacquiao visit highlights STAR day

2009-07-28T09:46:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - It was near pandemonium the moment Manny Pacquiao stepped out of his black Hummer.

Work stopped and everybody cheered when the world’s No. 1 boxer dropped by The STAR office in Manila’s Port Area as what he described as “the country’s No. 1 newspaper” celebrated its 23rd anniversary yesterday.

The 30-year-old boxing icon was mobbed as he inched his way through the editorial section. People lined up along the hallways leading to the fourth floor of the building where a program and more fans awaited him.

It was his first visit to the newspaper’s main office since more than 12 years ago when he was still a rising star. That time he arrived in a Mitsubishi L300 van and left with a few copies of his fight photos.

Times have changed.

This time, he rode a Hummer, tailed by a couple of SUVs, police motorcycle escorts and bodyguards. He smiled as he stepped out amid loud cheers of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” in his long-sleeved shirt, black pants and leather shoes.

“I have come back to celebrate with you,” said Pacquiao, sharing the stage with The STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, president/CEO Miguel Belmonte, director Kevin Belmonte and executive vice president Grace Glory Go.

Everybody cheered as Pacquiao, ever smiling, spoke.

“I salute every editor, every writer, every worker, every leader at Philippine STAR. What you have are not just words but dedication to truth, convictions of integrity and passion for excellence,” he said in a prepared speech.

“Your words are coupled with action. The role you play is very important to the lives of every Filipino. And I’m happy to share this moment with you. Through your support I got to where I am now,” continued the boxer.

He mentioned the newspaper’s sports columnist Quinito Henson, who played emcee, as one of the very first, very few who believed in him.

“The ring became the breeding ground of my dreams. Boxing became the platform of my victories. And all along The Philippine STAR was there to chronicle my journey. I thank Quinito for seeing and believing in my potentials,” he said, calling The STAR his partner, too.

“I believe that all of us are partners in progress. We are partners in serving the Filipino people. And as partners, we have different roles to play. We are not here just to entertain but inspire. We are not here just to make people watch but make people act.”

Pacquiao, who stayed more than an hour, even borrowed words from Mother Teresa.

“You can do what I cannot do, I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things. That is the power of partnership,” he said in his speech.

“In closing, let me congratulate you for being the country’s number one newspaper. I greet you with all my heart on your 23rd anniversary. Mabuhay ang Philippine STAR,” he said.

“Parang SONA (It’s like the State of the Nation Address),” Pacquiao said, and the room burst into laughter.

Then he went back to the editorial section and stayed a while, signing autographs and having pictures taken with the employees. A few female fans got away with kisses on his cheek.

“Ang bango-bango mo, Manny (You smell so good),” said one giggling fan.

Through it all, he smiled, obviously enjoying himself.

“I’m happy when I make people happy,” he said.

Pacquiao mulls initial training in Cebu

2009-07-28T07:23:00.001-07:00

Pacquiao mulls initial training in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines -- In preparation for his November clash with welterweight star Miguel Cotto, IBO junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is reportedly planning to kick off his training in Cebu City.

In a TV interview, Pacquiao said he will be holding initial workouts in the famous southern city before flying to the US to train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. He added that he is eyeing to wrap up his preparations in Marbel, South Cotabato.

If his plans push through, this would mark the first time Pacquiao has trained in the Philippines since his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2007. He has consistently trained in Roach’s Gym since 2008.

Pacquiao’s bout with Cotto will be reportedly staged on Nov. 14.