Pacquiao: I have a lot to prove to Cotto

MANILA – Manny Pacquiao is counting down the days until he proves himself to Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and the rest of the world that he is the rightful pound-for-pound king.

With just one week away before the “Firepower” bout in Las Vegas, Pacquiao said he knows that Cotto is ready to defend his WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Dahil ako ang challenger sa titulo ni Cotto, inaasahan ng marami na kailangan kong maipakita ang liksi, bilis at tapang sa laban,” he said in his “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com Sunday.

He added that he is surprised that many regard Cotto as the underdog of the fight.

“Kailangan ko ring patunayan na ako nga ay karapat-dapat na tanghaling pound-for-pound best boxer sa buong mundo kahit na ako ay lubos na mas maliit kaysa sa natural na welterweight na si Cotto,” he noted.

Pacquiao mentioned that he had to work hard to shape up for the welterweight champion. According to him, he and his team have done almost everything to prepare for the bout.

He noted that he has shifted his focus to other aspects of his training. “Halos pababa na ang intensity ng training at sa ngayon ay mental at spiritual training na ang focus ko,” he revealed.

Entourage

Pacquiao also revealed in his column that he is set to go to Las Vegas on November 9.

He said his friends, supporters, family members and loved ones have started arriving in Los Angeles to accompany him on his convoy road trip to Las Vegas.

His wife, Jinkee, arrived in LA with her sisters and a few friends. Pacquiao drove his Mercedes-Benz Sports Car to fetch Jinkee at the Los Angeles International Ariport.

Their four children, Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queen Elizabeth, were unable to join the trip.

Jinkee said that as always, she believes her husband can win his seventh world title. She then asked for the continuous support and prayers from Filipinos.

Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, is expected to fly to the US in the next few days. She is currently promoting her launching movie “Ang Tanging Pamilya” headlined by Ai-Ai delas Alas and former President Joseph Estrada. – With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News.



Source: abs-cbnnews.com