Will Pacquiao Continue to Request his Opponents to Fight at a Catch Weight in the Future?

By Manuel Perez: I expect Manny Pacquiao to lose big against Miguel Cotto on November 14th and end up with a lot of pie on his face. But let’s say that Cotto ends up losing, probably because of a cut or something like that, will the little Filipino continue to force his opponents to come in at catch weight if he holds the WBO welterweight title? 
And if so, will won’t that even more so diminish the value of boxing as well as the sanctioning bodies? Already, it’s a pathetic joke the way that Pacquiao was suddenly vaulted into the number #1 challenger spot by the WBO after Cotto wasn’t showing any interest in putting his WBO title on the line for his fight with Pacquiao.

At that time, there wasn’t a thing that Pacquiao could do about forcing Cotto to put his title on the line, other than to whine and complain about it to their mutual promoter Bob Arum. This left Arum in a bad situation where he had to placate two stars at once.

However, the WBO came to the rescue and shoved Pacquiao to the number # 1 position in the WBO, jumping over much more established welterweights like Joshua Clottey in the process. As of now, the closest thing that Pacquiao has gotten to fighting a welterweight is his bout against the washed up, weight drained 36-year-old Oscar De La Hoya in December.

The fact that Pacquiao was put into the number #1 spot without any real welterweight experience is such a joke. No way did Pacquiao deserve to be put into that position by the WBO from estimation. Alright, so it’s done. The WBO put Pacquiao in that spot, giving Cotto no choice but to fight Pacquiao with the WBO title on the line or else end up having the title stripped from him and put on the line anyway for the fight.

So my question is will Pacquiao continue to fight future opponents between 141-145, even if he captures the WBO title? That would make a mockery of the welterweight division to have a small fighter pushing his weight around to have limits set in place to give him an extra edge. Can you imagine other fighters doing this every time they fight?

What will people think if Pacquiao does this every time he fights? Man, if the little guy is too small to fight at the weight, he needs to take his wares back down in weight rather than install these artificial limits for his opponents. Pacquiao can do this because right now he’s considered to be a big draw than most of his opponents.

I don’t buy any of that garbage, and see Pacquiao a product of having fought two big named stars – De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton – in back to back fights and ridden on their coattails. The same will go for his fight against Cotto on November 14th. This is so insane. Boxing needs an overlord that can step in and stop this kind of thing from going on.

I’d take this position if I knew there was opening, because boxing needs to be tightened up to prevent this kind of silly stuff from going on. If Pacquiao feels like he needs a handicap to win, then he shouldn’t be in the business. For me, it’s like me entering a class and telling the teacher that I can bring cheat notes with me during the tests to give me an advantage.

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Manny Pacquiao To Have Just Two More Fights After Bout With Cotto?

by James Slater - It seems it could be a case of enjoying the great Manny Pacquiao while we can. The pound-for-pound king and all-time great has said in the past that he may only have a few more fights before calling it quits on a quite sensational career, and now his trainer Freddie Roach, as quoted by ABS CBN News, has said his fighter has told him he will fight just two more times after November's battle with Miguel Cotto..

Of course, "Pac-Man" is speaking from the perspective of him winning on November 14th, for if Manny were to lose in an upset his plans would perhaps alter some. But even if he were to do away with Cotto with some ease, it appears as though we have only a few fights left in which to cherish and appreciate the fighter who has been referred to as a modern day Henry Armstrong.

But - just who will be the two fighters Pacquiao gets it on with as he attempts to further cement his place in boxing history? Two fights isn't many, so it is to be hoped "Pac-Man" makes sure his final two victims, sorry, opponents, are top quality operators; the kind of fighters the fans want to see in there with the Filipino dynamo. I think we know who one of these two fighters is!

Providing he does indeed beat Cotto in his final fight of 2009, and providing the returning Floyd Mayweather Junior gets past Juan Manuel Marquez two months before, fingers will be firmly crossed that the two modern day masters agree terms and give us the super-fight we all want to see in 2010. Simply put, it would be awful if this potentially awesome fight did not take place.

As to Pacquiao's other fight before retiring, if he gets past Mayweather he could pretty much pick who he wanted for a "Farewell" type fight - even more so if he were to beat "Money" decisively (dare I say by a KO!)

It's reasonably safe to assume that Pacquiao will fight out the remainder of his career at either 140 or at a catch-weight poundage of around 143-145, therefore a number of top welterweights will continue to offer to boil down in weight to land a huge money fight with "Pac-Man." Manny is in a position to be able to call the shots, so why shouldn't he do so.

"Sugar" Shane Mosley remains a possibility for Pacquiao's next or last opponent, even though the 37-year-old's efforts at landing the date Cotto now has resulted in zero. Another possibility for Manny could be Marquez, if he upsets Mayweather. We could all stand for a third instalment of Pacquiao-Marquez, that's for sure.

Really, whoever he fights after his anticipated rumble with Cotto, Pacquiao fans the world over will be tuning in. But will the 30-year-old superstar be able to stick with his two-more-fights-after-Cotto plan and really retire? Or will Manny, as has been the case with so many other fighters who had a retirement plan all mapped out, be unable to hang up the gloves when the time comes?
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Pacquiao to Retire After Three More Fights

By Dave Lahr: In the latest boxing news, Manny Pacquiao apparently plans on ending his career after only three more fights. It looks as if Pacquiao, 30, has designs on a political career in the Philippines once he gets out of the sport. There’s no word about what Pacquiao might do if he fails at winning office as politician. Pacquiao will be fighting Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title on November 14th.
Depending on how things go in the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight next month in September, Pacquiao could possibly be fighting Mayweather next in what will likely be a huge mega fight. Following that, Shane Mosley is a potential opponent for what would be the last fight of Pacquiao’s boxing career, if he’s serious about hanging up the gloves.

I’m sure Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum will try to talk Pacquiao out of retirement, particularly if Pacquiao wins his next three fights in an impressive fashion. For Pacquiao to retire while still on top and dominating the sport, would seem like a crazy move on his part because Pacquiao would be walking away from mega millions by hanging up the gloves while still at the top of his game.

If he can’t see continuing on with his career for his own sake, then at least for thousands of poor Filipino citizens that Pacquiao assists with donations in his home country. If Pacquiao retires, he’ll have less money to dispense to the poor.

Naturally, if things go poorly for Pacquiao and he ends up taking loses to Cotto, Mayweather and Mosley, then I imagine that Pacquiao might come up with another retirement strategy that extends beyond those three fights. If Pacquiao is beaten by those aforementioned fighters, it would be a signal that Pacquiao pushed beyond his physical limits of his size and would be better off moving down in weight a division or two to compete against lightweights or light welterweight fighters.

In the end, that might just very well happen, because Pacquiao is going to be giving away a lot of size against Cotto, perhaps as much as 15 to 20 pounds on November 14th. And that’s a significant amount of weight for any fighter to deal with.

But more importantly, Pacquiao will be getting punches by a fighter with a lot more power than any previous opponent that Pacquiao has faced in the past. Ricky Hatton, who Pacquiao stopped in the 2nd round in May, had a lot of power, but not the kind of inherent strength that Cotto will be brining to the table.

Cotto won’t disappear like Oscar De La Hoya or Hatton without getting his pound of flesh. The previous wins for Pacquiao need to be thrown out of the window for this fight, because Pacquiao will be starting from scratch against a much higher level opponent than what he’s been accustomed to fighting in the past three years.

However, if Pacquiao gets by Cotto and Mayweather, Manny will be looking good going into his last fight of his career against a fighter like Mosley. My thoughts are that Pacquiao will come back quickly to boxing if he doesn’t win his election. I doubt that the Filipino people will elect him as President, because they know that by doing so it would mean that Pacquiao would have next to no chance of fighting again.

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Diamond Belts in the Rough

Last week, the World Boxing Council issued a press release concerning the creation of the WBC Diamond Belt, “a honorary championship exclusively for fights between elite boxers.” The press release then highlights “catch weight” fights as the new policy’s primary focus. Also this week, pound-for-pound king and boxing’s top ambassador Manny Pacquiao expressed interest in the sanction of his November bout with Miguel Cotto as the inaugural Diamond World Championship.

Normally, news like this would seem necessary and sensible on the surface. But a single glance at the policy from any boxing fan most likely elicits groans, moans, and eye-rolls. Why do fights need to be labeled as “championship” affairs? Will any casual fan, much less hardcore fan, refuse to buy Cotto – Pacquiao just because it may not be for a major title? Even on the surface, this “Diamond Belt” policy seems nothing more than a money grab and a mockery of sporting championships.

The press release fails to outline the exact rulings regarding Diamond champions. Do Diamond champions have to fight at a catch weight again to defend their belts? Do Diamond champions choose who they fight next? Is every fight for the winner afterwards a Diamond championship fight? Are there Diamond rankings? Diamond super champions? Diamond champions in recess? Diamond champions emeritus?

The policy’s vagueness troubles more so in another way. The policy appears to give the WBC the right to sanction ANY bout between ANY two fighters as a Diamond championship. At least according to the press release, the Diamond Belt does not abide by any ranking system. The imprecise language of the release is most evidenced in the term “elite.” Who determines which fighter is elite? If the WBC has sole judgment over whether or not a fighter is “elite,” then the WBC retains the right to deem any fighter of any distinction as eligible for a Diamond championship.

Perhaps the precise rulings for Diamond Belts are more stringent. Perhaps Diamond championships will truly be rare and spectacular occasions. Perhaps the WBC truly has the best intentions for boxing in mind. But for many, the past reputation of the one of the world’s foremost sanctioning bodies suggests otherwise.

It’s something to keep an eye on.

CONCLUSIVE BLOWS

I’m reticent to over-hype Timothy Bradley. After all, Devon Alexander beat Junior Witter more decisively than Bradley managed, Kendall Holt dropped Bradley twice, and the Nate Campbell bout was, at worst, inconclusive. But it’s hard not to get excited by a guy with his athleticism, his conditioning, and his drive. I’ve heard someone suggest he’s like a young Evander Holyfield. Na. A shoulder-rolling, tenacious take-on-all-comers badass with speed? That has James Toney written all over it…

I’m very, very intrigued by the potential Kelly Pavlik – Paul Williams match-up. I’d be cool with Pavlik against Winky Wright, too, to be honest. Pavlik just needs to get in there with a live body again…

Of course, title belts can increase potential purses and enhance a fighter’s media recognition. Guys like Andreas Kotelnik and Sultan Ibragimov would have never earned their recent big paydays without their alphabet hardware. But for a guy like Manny Pacquiao, belts should be immaterial. He’s already got all the respect in the world. What’s a trinket to an icon?

If all goes according to plan, the Mayweather – Marquez PPV event should come equipped with a decent undercard. Some would say Floyd’s going to need it if he’s going head-to-head with Dana White and his Ultimate Fighting Championship PPV card on the same night…

The Arturo Gatti saga gets stranger and stranger. As the story twists and turns, I’m unsure if the warrior will rest in peace anytime soon…

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Three more fights to go for Pacquiao

MANILA - After his November 14 clash with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Manny Pacquiao is expected to have two more bouts before he finally calls it quits.

“Manny has said three more fights and that’s it,” American trainer Freddie Roach revealed to David Tyler of DoghouseBoxing.com.

 

Roach, the 2008 “Trainer of the Year” awarded by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), added that he wants to see a showdown between Pacquiao and WBA welterweight super champion Shane Mosley.

 

Pacquiao’s trainer then went on to speak about his ward’s incomparable legacy, saying he believes it would be difficult for fighters to follow the footsteps of the Filipino boxing icon. 

 

Pacquiao, the world’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter, is a six-division world champion. He was the 2008 BWAA “Fighter of the Year” award recipient.

 

“We will not see another Manny Pacquiao for another decade or more,” declared Roach. “Guys like Manny Pacquiao and Muhammad Ali come along once in a lifetime.”

 

Meantime, when asked if he would retire when Pacquiao hangs his boxing gloves, Roach replied: “I will not retire because I just don’t know what I would do. I have been in the boxing business all of my life and I don’t know anything else.”

 

“I just can’t see sitting at home all day so I probably will never retire,” he remarked.

as of 08/14/2009 7:06 PM

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Pacquiao lethal left holds key vs Cotto

Pacquiao, despite his very hectic schedule, visited the gym, where he also trained for some of his recent fights, for the ninth anniversary celebration of the television boxing program In This Corner.
This was the observation made by Pacquiao’s former business manager, Rod Nazario, who had the pound-for-pound champion as special guest yesterday at his Wild Card Gym in Parañaque.

Pacquiao, despite his very hectic schedule, visited the gym, where he also trained for some of his recent fights, for the ninth anniversary celebration of the television boxing program In This Corner.

“I’ve watched Cotto’s recent fights, and remember this, Manny,” Nazario said as the boxer he used to handle listened. “Cotto has the tendency to drop his right hand as he launches an attack.”

Nazario told Pacquiao that “a short and crisp left” could be the key.

“Like in the Hatton fight, you didn’t have to go after him. All you needed was wait before you could throw that short left,” said Nazario who, despite his medical condition, still came to see the Hatton fight in Las Vegas last May.

Nazario pulled off a big surprise when he gifted Pacquiao with a rare 1856 chess set, made in Russia, which he bought in an antique store in Orlando for $1,050. Pacquiao, a chess buff, said he’d have a special chess board of narra wood with ivory trimmings made.

“Hindi ka na mananalo sa akin (This time you can’t beat me),” Pacquiao told Nazario who, this early, had announced that next year’s In This Corner party will be held at The Manila Hotel.

Nazario is part of the original Team Pacquiao, along with Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Gerry Garcia. Together, they also helped put up the Blow By Blow program that lasted six years until 2000, and then In This Corner.

Pacquiao said Cotto will stake his WBO welterweight crown when they clash at the catchweight of 145 lb.

Pacquiao arrived past noon and went straight to Nazario who was holed up in his office. He came on board his grey Porsche Cayenne and left more than an hour later on his black Hummer for Quiapo to resume shooting his new movie.

Pacquiao said he’s eager to start training for the Cotto fight set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas but said he has to honor all his prior commitments, mostly showbiz related.

Pacquiao will be in the US for the launch of the press tour that will take him and Cotto to New York’s Yankee Stadium on Sept. 10, Cotto’s hometown in Caguas, Puerto Rico on Sept. 12, and the AT&T Park in San Francisco the following day.

Pacquiao, who will grace the Giants-Dodgers game in San Francisco, said he’d fly back to Manila after the press tour, and should immediately start his training, most likely in Baguio City.

Then after a week or two, Pacquiao will move somewhere outside of the US to resume his training, probably in Mexico or Canada, and will be in Los Angeles or Las Vegas for the final push.

Pacquiao said he stayed up so late Thursday night as he joined the officers of the USS George Washington, the world’s largest warship, which is docked off Manila Bay, just behind the SM Mall of Asia.

Pacquiao toured the 18-storey ship that carries more than 60 fighter planes and a crew of 5,000 at around 6 p.m. Then he had dinner with AFP and US military officials at Mandarin Hotel
 
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While Pacman frolics, Cotto is all business

Told about his adversary’s seemingly happy-go-lucky ways, Miguel Cotto said Saturday he doesn’t care about Manny Pacquiao’s decision to continue filming a movie as the Puerto Rican prepares to enter the second week of training for their Nov. 14 clash in Las Vegas.
“What Manny does and doesn’t want to do is his problem and not my responsibility,” Cotto told the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia after another day at a local gym.
Cotto had actually started training almost two weeks ago as he prepares for the arrival of conditioning coach Phil Landman from Los Angeles. Landman is set to hook up with Cotto later this month.
“I feel very good now,” Cotto told Primera Hora, another major Puerto Rican paper. “My light training is helping me regain my form just in time for the arrival of Phil so that we also don’t start from zero.”
“I have been the type of athlete who likes to train hard,” added Cotto, who has been banging the heavy bag, skipping rope and hitting the punch mitts as he revs up for the tough grind ahead.
Cotto said he now weighs 162 lbs, 17 lbs off the agreed catch weight of 145 lbs for his battle with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand and is very confident that the time he will spend in the gym in the coming weeks will help him get rid of excess baggage that he gained during vacation.
Despite his inactivity, Pacquiao makes sure his weight remains in check.
Encircling the fingers on his right hand on his left wrist, Pacquiao said he currently weighs 152 or 153 lbs.
Regardless of the uncanny way to know his weight, Pacquiao insisted he is right on the money.
“I have been doing this to check on my weight ever since I started boxing. I have never been wrong,” said Pacquiao, who only plans to start training after the four-city press tour in mid-September.
Pacquiao plans to proceed to Baguio for the eight-week training camp when he returns from the press tour of New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico.
In the meantime, Pacquiao will continue to fulfill all his commitments so that when he begins working with Freddie Roach, there’ll be no more distractions.
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V8: Pacquiao/Cotto, Pavlik, Jones, Bradley and more!!!

Williams/Pavlik: Who wins the battle at the boardwalk?

Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31KO's) and Paul Williams (37-1, 27KO's) have come to terms and is scheduled to face off on October 3rd, at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey. This is interesting matchup pairs two of the sports perennial rising stars, both in their prime, and both with a major chip on their shoulders. After being humbled by Bernard Hopkins, many argue that Pavlik hasn't been the same, so you can expect the absolute best of Pavlik. Standing across from him, Williams is a fighter that has gone division hopping from weight class to weight class seeking fights, and despite a few solid outings, the one opponent he hasn't seemed to be able to defeat is the one named low risk/high reward. Looks like he finally got past that obstacle, and a victory here could in fact be the gateway to pound for pound contention that he has long coveted. The operative question is...Will this date with the Pavlik finally pay off for Williams, or will the power of the 'Ghost' resurface, once again placing Williams beneath the radar?

Pacquiao/Roach: Does Manny need a little 'space'?

Master trainer, Freddie Roach recently stated in an interview that his plan for Manny Pacaqiuao is to keep him away from powerful puncher, Miguel Cotto. The actual fight plan hasn't been formed and etched in stone but at first glance, it appears that it will involve tons of speed and some shifty footwork - both of which Pacquiao does very well. If there's any fighter out there that could pull this off, It's Pacquiao, but that being said, how do you go 12 rounds against a raging fighter like Cotto and avoid tasting that power? Some of us asked this same question prior to the Hatton fight and we quickly learned that Pacquiao didn't have to avoid that power for 12 rounds because he got the job done in 2. Against a bigger, more driven Miguel Cotto, is it possible that Pacquiao could re-write this script? I can't answer that question, but what I can say is that I sure as hell can't wait to find out.

Can Emanuel Steward be Cotto's guiding light?

Emanuel Steward has been quoted by various sources around the sport lately making sentiments along the lines of him being able to "help Cotto" defeat Manny Pacqiuao. In recent years, each of Stewards' pupils have seen their stock fall in a heavy way, many prior to even winning a title, let alone successfully defending one. The only one of his pupils to prosper is Wladi-K, which non-coincidentally is the only one of those fighters true to their craft. In the case of Cotto, his commitment to the sport is equally as strong, and knowing that he hasn't looked the same since the drubbing he took to Antonio Margarito, it would be wise to realize up front that he won't leave the ring this time around without letting it all hang out. With Evangelista Cotto on the outside looking in, things have been quite dark in the world of Cotto. Can Steward serve as that beacon in the storm to guide him back to the top? Should be interesting to see if this tandem does actually materialize.

Bradley/Khan: Who has the edge?

Timothy Bradley has seen his stock rise recently, despite the odd (and pathetic) outcome of his showdown with Nate Campbell. With a Campbell rematch looking less and less likely, the Bradley focus has apparently shifted across the pond to Amir Khan, a U.K. born fighter who happens to train near Bradley's own backyard. What makes this an intriguing fight is the fact that both fighters in similar stages of their respective careers, standing on the cusp of greatness, yet not quite invited in by the boxing public. Both are evolving quite well, yet both have several questions to answer. Stats are similar so there's no true advantage from that standpoint either. With Bradley being California raised and Khan training out the 'Wildcard' (in Cali), the edge would go to Bradley here. Trouble is, this fight is expected to land in the U.K. Can Bradley defeat another titlist in his own backyard?

Jones/Lacy: Old School....New School....No School?

What two things do Jeff Lacy and Roy Jones Jr. have in common? Well, both loss to Calzaghe, and both find themselves looking for a way back into the mainstream fight circle as a result. With little else to aim for and no other worthwhile fights on the horizon, the two now find themselves in the midst of a self-imposed process of elimination. Of the two, Jones is arguably the better talent, but the power of Lacy could nullify that gift quickly with an undetected, flush shot to the kisser. For one man, the journey in the sport of boxing is expected to come to an end, while for the other, a rare wish in the sport of boxing will be granted, allowing them to live to see another day. Listening to the buzz on the streets, there aren't too many people buzzin' about these two 'hooka's', but we learn time and time again in this sport that the world of relativity is always one KO away. Or is it?

Chambers/Klitschko: Is Eddie ready?

Word recently hit the streets that 'Fast' Eddie Chambers has secured a bout with Wladimir Klitschko, due to take place later this year. For Klitschko, many think it's an easy day at the office, but for those who have watched these two men closely, there's little doubt that this is a risk that may have been improperly calculated. The evolution of Chambers has looked as good as it ever has lately, and having a very slick style with better power than many give him credit for, this could be a fight that ends with a result that few saw coming. The once dead heavyweight division has suddenly found a pulse. After this fight is over, it may have also found a new leader. Wlad-K is the best the division has to offer. A victory over him could place Chambers squarely on that mantle.

Spinks joins Hopkins (likes Pacquiao over Cotto)

Corey Spinks has come out recently in support of Manny Pacquiao over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, making him the latest contemporary to support the Filipino slugger. Hopkins feels it'll be a cut that gets in the way, Spinks just figures it'll be skill. Good thing this isn't an election, because Pacquiao's number count is beginning to reach the point of no return. Fortunately for Cotto, this fight won't be won or loss in the court of public opinion, but rather sought out in a ring of fire.

Moody Miguel (Cotto)

Miguel Cotto has been very vocal leading up to his showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Everything from his comments to Roach about him "not [being] Hatton and Oscar", to letting Roach and Pacquiao know that they'd "better be ready for war". Apparently, the once quiet demeanor of Cotto has been permanently substituted, replaced instead with a take-no-stuff approach paralleled only by his 'stalk-til-they-can't-walk' ring swag. The latest words from Cotto was a reminder that he "isn't Felix Trinidad". He continued this effort by stating "if I were in a beauty contest I would be waiving and smiling all day, but I'm not. I'm a boxer". The normally reserved Cotto seems to have quite a chip on his shoulder. With the fight against Pacquiao months away, you have to wonder if this should be perceived as mounting pressure, or simply a lava burst forming inside a volcano waiting for the right moment to blow?
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Cotto – Not if, but when…

By Will Cruz: On November 14, Miguel Cotto will state his case as the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Many writers, fans, and so called “experts” have overlooked Miguel Cotto almost as fast as this fight was put together, and continue to dream about a mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
The more I think about all of the factors in the Pacman Cotto fight, the more I am convinced that on November 14, Miguel Cotto will solidify his case as best P4P fighter in the world and will derail 2 things that night; Manny Pacquiao and a Paquiao vs. Mayweather fight! Miguel Cotto is at a disadvantage in the weight issue, the money split, fighting in Vegas, and speed, subsequently the only actual boxing disadvantage, but none of this will matter when they step in the ring.

In an interesting interview by Freddie Roach recently, he claims that the Cotto/Mosley fight will be the lead in his development for a fight plan for Manny Pacquiao. His analysis is accurate in that Cotto was able to use his effective timing to neutralize Mosley. His comments carried a bit of overconfidence in my opinion and I believe that is the beginning of the end of Manny Pacquiao’s chances to defeat Miguel Cotto.

The problem with Freddie Roach’s analysis is that it isn’t complete! And they will put all their eggs In one basket. Miguel Cotto does have excellent timing, but has underrated speed, underrated defense, and an underrated ability to adjust to every style thrown in front him. It is incredible to me that Cotto is underrated in so many areas but somehow still outshines his opponents and ultimately comes out of every fight as the better fighter.

Heart is what Miguel Cotto signifies, but SKILL is what will earn him the victory against Manny Pacquiao. He will box Pacquiao beautifully in the early rounds, neutralize Pacquiao’s speed with timing, and ultimately close the distance in the ring and at that point Freddie Roach will realize he made a mistake and uncharacteristically overlooked a fighter as skilled as Miguel Cotto.

So when Miguel Cotto defeats the Pacman, once again the question will be why Mayweather won’t step up and fight the best P4P fighter in the world and as Bob Arum comically stated in Cotto’s last post fight conference, Mayweather will probably go after Ivan Calderon next.

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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 paying any sanctioning fee.

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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Roach to Try to Keep Pacquiao from Taking Punishment from Cotto

By Manuel Perez: 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.

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Miguel Cotto: Boxing's Whipping Boy

I've been racking my brain to remember a time when a defending world champion with as much credibility as Miguel Cotto, has been treated so dismissively by his opponents, the sanctioning body he represents, and the very promoter who is supposed to have his best interests at heart.

In these last few years, the disrespect tossed at Cotto has been a lesson for all those "good soldiers" in the sport who tow the company line and keep their mouths shut.

The first "diss" came following Cotto's brutal beatdown at the hands of Antonio Margarito.

As everyone knows, Margarito was found to be wearing hand wraps coated with a "plaster-like" substance prior to his bout with Shane Mosley. When people put two and two together, many put a big question mark over all of Margarito's wins, most notably his brutal destruction of Miguel Cotto and the grotesque manner in which he battered Cotto's face.

Top Rank honcho and alleged member of Team Cotto, Bob Arum, spent most of the "Plaster Gate" scandal defending Margarito and denying the loaded wrap claims...at the expense of the feelings of the victim, Miguel Cotto.

Cotto sat back and remained the strong silent type, only occasionally giving voice to the anger he felt inside for the possible cheat and frustration of having his own promoter defend the fighter who may have, literally, stolen millions from him when his loss ruined the chance of a showdown with Oscar De La Hoya.

Then, after suffering a beating that may have been caused by an illegal substance and having his promoter turn his back on him, Manny Pacquiao jumps in and claims the glory that could very well have been his by knocking off Oscar.

After all this, Cotto was forced into a nothing fight with Michael Jennings, and a tough battle with Joshua Clottey for a fraction of the pay he would've received from a De la Hoya bout.

All this leads to an eventual big money showdown with Pacquiao where despite being the reigning champ, he is forced to give in to every one of Pacquiao's demands, including an arbitrary 145-pound limit.

While the blame for this weak negotiating falls squarely on Team Cotto, it should be pointed out that the intermediary, Arum, never once lifted a finger to argue on Cotto's side of the table...despite having just lured Cotto to a two-year extension on his Top Rank contract.

Now, the latest indignity for Cotto is that he's being told to either put up his WBO Welterweight title for the Pacquiao fight or be forced to vacate.

Cotto's take on this, and in my opinion, the correct one, is that since a World Welterweight title is fought between 140 and 147 pounds, it is against the organization's rules to be forced to fight at an arbitrary catchweight for the title.

The WBO, of course, cares little about fair play and professionalism and decided to counter Cotto's correct assertion by making Pacquiao its No. 1 contender at 147, despite only one win as a welterweight, against an unranked De La Hoya.

Like it or not, Cotto will put up his hard-earned title, and without a doubt, it should be made clear that he's being forced to. If Cotto balks, he will find himself without the title and it will be Pacquiao's to win anyway.

How's that for respectful treatment of a veteran champion?

Beaten with illegal wraps, your cheating conqueror defended by your own promoter, your promotional company allowing you to be raped in negotiations, and the sanctioning body you represent forcing you to ignore their own bylaws and put the belt on the line...Geesh!

It's no wonder guys like De La Hoya and Mayweather opted to be on their own as soon as they reached the top...there's just no loyalty among thieves.

The best revenge for Cotto is to come into the Pacquiao fight, saddled with every possible psychological disadvantage, and stop the insanity right then and there with a big win. But, even then, he has to contend with the officials, who are always up for a good screw job, especially if it's in favor of a fighter "about to make history" with seven titles in seven weight divisions.

Miguel Cotto deserves much better.

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YOU won Pacquiao's battle, Manny must win war

Now that Manny Pacquiao has signed off on a contract which provides that he and Miguel Cotto can weigh up to 145 pounds with Cotto’s WBO welterweight title on the line Nov. 14, it’s important to realize who made this happen and who didn’t.

Pacquaio didn’t make it happen. He was seemingly nonchalant about it and seemingly oblivious to his chance to make history by winning a world title in a seventh weight division.

Low marks to Pacman for his dizzy spell but high marks to the Pinoy Idol for hearing the deafening roar of the Pacquiao Worldwide Army (PWA).

Lawyer Franklin “The Jackal” Gacal didn’t make it happen. Neither did the double agent Michael Koncz, who swears allegiance to Pacman but whose real fealty is to promoter Bob Arum. These two were just swept along with the tide of current events and acted as though they are completely tone deaf to the Pacquiao fan base’s feverish desire for Pacquiao-Cotto to be for a recognized world title strap.

Arum didn’t make it happen, either, but like Megamanny he heard the roar of the crowd, the screaming of the paying customers who fork over the money at the live gate and for the fight telecast.

The difference between the Alphonse and Gaston act of Gacal and Koncz and Arum is, as I noted before, milked the raging controversy for everything it was worth. And it was worth plenty as it created a tsunami of preflight publicity before the MGM Grand tickets went on sale.

Drowned abjectly if not completely in the wake of this Cotto-Pacquiao tsunami has been the wobbling Sept. 19 Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather Jr. PPV bout.

The entire brouhaha was an udder delight for Milkman Bob who finally reached past the mothballs in his pocket to come up with the small change fee (about $340,000) required to get the fight fully sanctioned by Paco Valcarcel and the WBO.

I will take a small bow here myself but only a small one.

I used Examiner.com and Boxingconfidential as a conduit for the various elements of PWA to mobilize and mobilize you did, attacking having a non title bout between Miguel and Manny, from the land, the sea and the air.

Don’t think Arum didn’t pay attention to the 18,000 emails you bombed me with or the phone calls and emails that relentlessly poured into Top Rank’s as Vegas headquarters.

In Pacquiao’s hour of historic need, his adherents stood tall.

I wonder sometimes how deeply Pacquiao appreciates your love and support. Or does he now take it for granted?

No other fighter has such loyal backers.

You’ve done your job and done it admirably.

You delivered his historic chance on a silver platter.

Now the pressure is on Manny.

He needs to clock into training camp and then clock Cotto.

It would be appropriate for Pacman to dedicate his soldiers, the grunts of the PWA.

Any good general would do that.
His troops deserve no less.
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Report: Cotto finally stakes WBO belt vs Pacquiao

MANILA -- The contract for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto match up has finally been signed with the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Organization belt at stake.

According to Philstar.com, Cotto has agreed to fight at 145 pounds with his title on the line on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao's legal counsel Jeng Gacal said the revenue cut will be at 65-35 with the lion’s share going to the Filipino superstar.

With the WBO title at stake, Pacquiao now has the chance to become the first boxer in history to win seven world titles in as many divisions.

Pacquiao had previously won the WBC flyweight, IBF super bantamweight, WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBO junior welterweight crowns.

He also won the lineal junior welterweight title during his last fight against Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said training for the Cotto fight will begin in September.
He said that he has already watched some of Cotto’s bouts.

“I have been concentrating on how well he did against Shane Mosley. How he neutralized Shane’s speed,” he said. “Yes, we will have a great game plan for Cotto.”

One factor he considered about Cotto is the Puerto Rican's punching power.

“Of course Cotto’s power is a major concern for me but I really think that we will have no problems,” said Roach. “I’m training Manny not to get hit.”
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It's official: Pacquiao-Cotto set for Nov. 15

MANILA, Philippines -- 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.
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Diamond belt for Pacman-Cotto?

MANILA, Philippines - A diamond-studded championship belt from the WBC might be the final answer to the question on whether or not Miguel Cotto would stake his WBO welterweight crown against Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

While the fight contract has reportedly been signed by both fighters, it wasn’t really specified if the Puerto Rican’s 147-lb title will be on the line. Cotto had previously said he won’t stake his crown at a catchweight of 145.

Now comes the WBC which is offering the Diamond Belt, and it seems that Bob Arum, who has both Pacquiao and Cotto in his Top Rank stable, is buying the idea that should leave the WBO without a chair when the music stops.

The Diamond Belt reportedly costs $50,000 to make, and is studded with 400 diamonds. Based on an online diamond price guide, one can purchase diamonds with a carat weight of 0.15 to 0.25 for a minumum of $125 each.

Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, told The STAR two days ago that they’re seriously looking at the Diamond Belt, which is designed to give elite fighters fighting at a catchweight a title which the organizations wouldn’t sanction.

Koncz clarified that the WBC, under president Jose Sulaiman, did not come up with the Diamond Belt just for Pacquiao.

“My understanding is that it was the result of a resolution during the last WBC convention six or seven months back. So you can’t say that the WBC is putting up this title for Manny,” said Koncz.

“It’s for elite fighters to fight at. And I was told there’s close to 400 diamonds in the belt. Cotto is 147 and Manny is 140. If they want to meet in the middle and the sanctioning bodies can’t do it... that’s the purpose of this belt,” he added.

Koncz said the WBC may offer the Diamond Belt to other elite fighters fighting in a catchweight of any other division.

Cotto said he was not staking his WBO crown because he doesn’t consider 145 lb as a division, and that he can’t seem to let go of his $150,000 as sanction fee to the WBO. Pacquiao said he was willing to pay his.

Bob Marley of The Examiner yesterday wrote an article saying Sulaiman “has undercut the sanctioning fee price” for both Cotto and Pacquiao as long as they fight for the Diamond Belt.

And all that’s needed now is for someone to pay for the cost of the belt at $50,000.

“Insiders say Arum is still angry at (WBO president Paco) Valcarcel for how the WBO leader’s constant Puerto Rican golf course buddy, Oscar de la Hoya, wound up playing with Cotto recently,” Marley wrote.

In turn, the article also said, Sulaiman is a strong ally of Cotto lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano Jr., an official of the WBC and whose father has a long history of being affiliated with the WBC.
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Tuesday Morning Notes: Pacquiao-Cotto Tickets

• According to Dan Rafael, there will be about 5,000 tickets available for public sale for Pacquiao-Cotto, which will take place at the MGM Grand on November 14.   The cheap seats will cost $150 (limit two per buyer), with the pricier seats running up to $1,000.  Of course, the floor seats will be kept for the casinos and Bob Arum and all of their buddies and high rollers.  Best part though - there will be some early purchasing on the Top Rank website, which will make tickets available by lottery.  To enter the lottery, register at http://www.toprank.com/Secure/SignUp/.  I don't see the lottery up there yet, but it should be there before tickets go on sale officially.
  
• Speaking of Manny Pacquiao, Rafael says that the WBO title will be on the line, at least for Pacquiao.  This is what has made sense all along, and the powers that be at the WBO have been saying this all along as well.  An opponent can't withhold a belt unless both fighters agree that it's a nontitle fight.  As long as Pacquiao pays his side of the sanctioning fee, he would be able to fight for the title, whether Cotto likes it or not.  Remember, all these guys care about is getting the money, and if Pac is willing to page a huge amount of money to fight for another belt, then more power to him.
• A Daniel Santos-Yuri Foreman fight will be going to purse bid next Monday.  Has anyone's career been as badly mishandled as Santos'?  Despite holding a title, and having wins over Antonio Margarito, Jose Antonio Rivera and Joachim Alcine, he's only fought 5 times in the last 5 years, and he's about an anonymous as they come.  I realize people get enchanted by the name of Don King, but between the inactivity for his fighters, his inability to turn them into decent names, and long-time allegations of shady dealings, graft and outright theft, I can't imagine why anyone would sign a contract with him at this point.
•  According to Pravda, Nicolai Valuev might be facing up to five years in prison, due to new developments in a conflict that was thought to be long settled.  Back in 2006, an elderly security guard was hitting on Valuev's wife, and Valuev didn't take too kindly to it, pushing the man over.  Now, the guard is claiming that the altercation has caused his ribcage to shift, which makes his injuries severe enough to warrant a more severe criminal penalty than the small fine Valuev already paid.  This probably won't turn into too much.  The guard's story seems to have a tenuous connection to Valuev, at best, and he'd probably drop charges if he gets paid a bit of cash. 
  
• Bute-Andrade II, to air on November 28, has been picked up by HBO's Boxing After Dark.

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Cotto not awed by Pacquiao

There is only one thing that concerns Miguel Cotto when the subject of his Nov. 14 fight with Manny Pacquiao was raised.

Not Pacquiao’s awkward southpaw style, according to Cotto, who has beaten three major left-handed fighters in racking up a win-loss-draw record of 34-1-1 with 27 knockouts.

"It has got to be his (Pacquiao) speed," said Cotto during a round-table discussion with the staff of the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia.

Cotto reiterated that Pacquiao is not facing somebody like Ricky Hatton, who is "sobrestimado" (overrated) and that his advantage in strength and movement will be factors in winning the bout that has a catch weight of 145 lbs.

Cotto stopped lefties Zab Judah of the US and Carlos Quintana of Puerto Rico at welterweight and Demarcus Corley of the US at junior-welter, impressive wins that suggest that Cotto has never been troubled by unorthodox foes.

Cotto said his success stems from the fact that he is a natural left-hander himself.

"I know them (left-handers) well (because) I am one of them," said Cotto, stressing that his decision to convert to a right-hander is meant to maximize the hitting potential of the left hook, which is his favorite punch.

Cotto has started to conduct light training for the Pacquiao fight and he showed up in a Puerto Rican gym last week where he was warmly met by chief trainer Joe Santiago, who will be assisted during training camp by the fighter’s father Miguel Sr., cutman Joe Chavez and conditioning coach Phil Landman.

The elder Cotto believes Pacquiao won’t endure the punishment that his son will deliver come fight night.

"As soon as Miguel connects with the right punches, Pacquiao falls," said the senior Cotto.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, remains in the thick of finishing a comedy flick featuring ex-basketball star Benjie Paras, 1996 Olympics silver medalist Onyok Velasco and funnyman Long Mejia.

While everything appears to be set as far as training camp is concerned--with Freddie Roach already tapping four sparring partners--the only issue that has yet to be settled is the venue of the first five or six weeks of training.

The Bahamas, Vancouver in Canada, Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico and even the Philippines have been mentioned as possible sites but Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Mike Koncz said Pacquiao sounded cool when told about training in seclusion in Mexico "where the climate is similar to that of the Philippines."

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Pacquiao, Cotto, Arum giving WBO axe in favor of WBC

The WBO and its president, Paco Valcarcel, may be getting left at the altar by Bob Arum.

In a very shrewd back door play with his so called “Diamond Belt,” Don Jose Sulaiman has undercut the sanctioning fee price ($150,000 for Miguel Cotto, same for Manny Pacquiao).

I don’t know the exact amount Sulaiman is shopping his new belt to Arum for but it is a mere pittance compared to the $300,000 Arum would have to shell out to Valcarcel’s organization.

Arum could care less about either Alphabet Soup organization and this is why Top Rank’s press release announcing the Pacquiao-Cotto bout for Nov. 14 in Las Vegas and giving ticket prices and sale information as to the ducats left out any mention of a world title being on the line.

Valcarcel covets Pacman as a WBO and Sulaiman wants to have Manny again wearing his green and gold belt.

Attention Kmart fighters, we have a Blue Light Special on a 145 pound “title belt” on Aisle 14.

Insiders say Arum is still angry at Valcarcel for how the WBO leader’s constant Puerto Rican golf course buddy, Oscar de la Hoya, wound up playing with Cotto recently.

Sulaiman also has a strong ally in Cotto lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano Jr., who is an official of the WBC and whose father has a long history of being affiliated with the WBC.

The bottom line is that Cotto may yet hand in his WBO crown or have it stripped and the WBO will get bupkes (Yiddish for nothing) as Pacquiao-Cotto turns into a WBC Catch Weight title bout.

I wonder how WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto feels about that or if he even cares.

But the signs are there as to Valcarcel and the WBO getting dumped unceremoniously by Uncle Bob.


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Roach: Cotto’s power won’t be a problem for Pacquiao

While Manny Pacquiao has yet to hit the gym, his trainer Freddie has already started devising the training regimen and fight plan for the Filipino pound-for-pound king’s showdown with the tough Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

In an interview on Doghouse Boxing, the award-winning trainer said he sees no problem with Cotto’s power and counterpunching as they’d come to the Nov. 14 showdown armed with an airtight strategy meant to neutralize such assets of the Puerto Rican bomber.

“I have already watched several hours of Cotto’s fights. I have been concentrating on how well he did against Shane Mosley. How he neutralized Shane’s speed," Roach said, referring to the November 2007 fight that saw Cotto beating Mosley via unanimous decision.

Yes, we will have a great game plan for Cotto," Roach assured.

As to the noted power of Cotto (27 KOs in his 34 wins), Roach expressed confidence the Pacman’s “really good chin" would more than hold up to it.

“Manny is not going to back out for anybody. Manny has a really good chin because he has a big heart. Of course, Cotto’s power is a major concern for me but I really think that we will have no problems. I’m training Manny not to get hit," he said.

After his two-round annihilation of erstwhile light-welterweight boss Ricky Hatton last May, Pacquiao has been savoring his victory and honoring his non-boxing commitments, especially his movie and TV projects.

But knowing his chance to win an unprecedented world title in a seventh division, Pacquiao has vowed to go all out once training camp begins by September.

Roach said the 30-year-old Pacquiao would have the first stages of training camp in high-altitude Baguio City before winding up at the WildCard Gym in LA.

“Because of (US) immigration laws, he must spend five weeks training outside America. The laws say we can spend 183 days (yearly) in America and that means the last three weeks of training will be here at the WildCard. Right now the plans are to train in Baguio City in the Philippines at the Olympic Training Center," he said. - GMANews.TV

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