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.
Forget about using a symbolic shoelace or elastic band replacing a world title strap.
One newly formed boxing governing body, which claims to supersede all others, is willing to pay both Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto to fight for its title.
The new Alphabet Soup group is the IGBO, the Intergalactic Boxing Organization and its president is a Pinoy named Ekim Yelram.
“I think this whole title strap controversy is tiresome,” Yelram told me Wednesday from his home office close to the Cebu waterfront. “It is starting to stink like yesterday’s balut left to rot in the burning sun.
“We are the only out of this world organization,” Yelram said. “We don’t dish out world titles, we hand out other wordly titles.
“Obviously, as a startup, we need ink, we need publicity, we need recognition. I have backers, including former Filipino president Erap solidly behind me. No one is beside me or in front of me, just behind me.
“I am prepared to pay $1 million to promoter Bob Arum and he can whack up the money with Manny, with Cotto and whoever else he is paying under the table, over the table, around the table or even under the chairs. I don’t care.
“Another bonus for all concerned is we have only boxing rule. This is for simplification.
What’s the rule, you fool, is that what you ask me? There are no rules except whatever we agree upon. We make it up as we go along.”
I asked Yelram how the IBGO could replace the $1 million paid out to Manny, Miguel and Uncle Bob.
“Are you as dumb as you look?” Yelram said. “What do you think the ratings are for? All of our rankings are based solely on merit. You get what you pay for. Our rankings are truly pay per view.”
Our interview had to be truncated as Yelram had to rush off to his day job.
What, I asked with trepidation, would that be?
“I am a lifeguard at a place where we wash and wax jeepneys,” Yelram said. “No one has drowned at my place in years. Edwin Valero is here a lot. He’s got some fascination with jeepneys and the men who drive them,”
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