Pacquiao will train part-time in Philippines before match with Cotto

 

Manny Pacquiao will upset the training regimen that has worked so well for him in recent bouts against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton by spending four weeks of his training camp in his native Philippines before returning to his usual Hollywood gym in the month before his Nov. 14 showdown against Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, and trainer, Freddie Roach, aren't eager to mess with a routine that has worked so well -- De La Hoya quit on his stool before the ninth round in December and Hatton was knocked out in the second round in May -- but both said Internal Revenue Service rules allow Pacquiao only so many days in the U.S. before he is subject to significant taxes.

Thus, the four-week camp in the Philippines. Roach discusses the situation in an attached video on latimes.com/sports and said he is confident he can keep Pacquiao away from the usual distractions that occur with the national icon in his homeland. The training camp will be secluded, and Roach said he's won the authority to boot any unwanted intruder out of camp when he wishes.

"Our eight-week period is normal, but this guy's in great shape anyway," Roach said, nodding to Pacquiao. "I always say he can be ready to fight in seven days he works so hard in the gym."

But the challenge of Cotto, coming off a warrior-like narrow decision over Joshua Clottey after surviving a cut over his eye, puts Pacquiao's fight preparation in the spotlight as he takes on a welterweight -- unlike De La Hoya -- in his prime.

Asked if overconfidence is any concern with the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, Roach said: "We're not taking anyone lightly, I promise you. I have to expect the best Miguel Cotto."

Cotto, a devastating body puncher who has beaten Shane Mosley, endured a summer 2008 loss to Antonio Margarito, a split with his uncle-trainer and the Clottey cut, but Roach is telling Pacquiao that if the Puerto Rican wins in November, "All the bad stuff that happened is erased." Cotto "nullified Mosley's hand speed and beat up [Zab] Judah; I've watched all his good fights."

Pacquiao, a 2-to-1 favorite at Las Vegas sports books, praised Cotto to a point at a news conference hyping the bout Monday at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

"He's one of the best fighters in the world, not the best fighter," Pacquiao said.


Source: latimes.com