NO ANXIETY - Cotto already at 144

LAS VEGAS - A lengthy training of over 12 weeks that included 130 rounds of sparring, two months of their barracks in Tampa and another 12 days of intense work in this city, ended yesterday.

"I feel very happy and satisfied with their work. I am in top condition and now what remains is to relax and wait for Saturday, "a relaxed Miguel Cotto to speak to the press after finishing the training at the Top Rank gym, which for an hour and a half did work floor and several rounds of gauntlets.

"We're comfortable, and the weight is fine. There is anxiety, the anxiety begins moments before climbing into the ring, meanwhile still normal. Tomorrow (today) we will run if necessary, "said Cotto, who left the gym at 144 pounds, below the maximum weight of 145 pounds that make today will have both fighters weighed in will be at 3:00 pm (7:00 pm ET, Puerto Rico), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be open to the public.

The WBO welterweight champion vowed that tomorrow will see a Miguel Cotto better than we have seen before. We know who leads Pacquiao in force, we who have fought in this division for three years and we know also that he excels in speed and we have prepared for it with great defense, with many lateral movements. I'm ready for my fight, no matter what pattern Pacquiao fight will do. We'll see if he was prepared for what Miguel Cotto brings.

At home in Las Vegas

Cotto said he has been very beneficial to get to Las Vegas on November 1, two weeks before the fight, when his habit was to arrive a week earlier.

"Make a difference, we are used to the schedule. The four-hour time difference makes a dent, most of us athletes. And we acclimated to the schedule, the low-rise city of Las Vegas and we feel good. "

Yesterday, Cotto was back in the betting at a rate of two and a half to one, but that does not lose sleep at boricua. Nor is his promoter Bob Arum that he referred to as an icon Pacquiao and him as a great fighter.

"I know nothing about gambling or interest me. Whether or not the favorite does not add anything extra. I'm not here to become an 'icon' or the best pound for pound. I am here to do what I do, make my money, go with health and enjoy what I did with sacrifice and sweat through all these years, "said the boxer, who trained in the presence of his mother, his wife and three children.

"My children are the main reason for what I do every day and are here to support me full of happiness and it helps to distract me and spend the better days and happy," said Cotto who lost no time to kiss and smile at their children within minutes of rest between training.

Meanwhile, Coach Joe Santiago, expressed his dissatisfaction with the time of weighing, which will be at 3:00 pm Las Vegas.

"Every boxer weighing wait that long to bother him. It must have been earlier but this is something we have to work and Miguel will weigh eaten (without starving). Before weighing decide if for some light exercise.

Evangelist in mind

On the other hand, Santiago thanked the expressions of Evangelista Cotto, who backed him in a recent interview.

"I expected nothing less from Mr. Evangelista Cotto. Everyone knows it was my teacher and although he is in Puerto Rico, my heart and I still appreciate. One gives you more confidence to have the support of those who have been their teachers, "said Santiago.

The fledgling 32-year coach said recently over a week spoke with Evangelista, who supplanted as head at the corner of Cotto from the bout against Joshua Clottey last June.

"We talked about boxing, but do not talk about Miguel Cotto or this fight. I am the 'matchmaker' promotions Miguel Cotto and discussed plans to continue with other boxers in the business. "

Source: especiales.elnuevodia.com