WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto concedes that the speed of Filipino boxing hero and the world’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is his only concern.
Cotto, in an interview with Primera Hora quoted by boxing writer Mark Vester said “the only thing I have to take care of is his (Pacquiao’s) speed.“
Cotto said he was confident that “by using a good defense we can counteract it” even as there were reports that Cotto may use WBO light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon as a sparring partner in an effort to work on countering Pacquiao’s hand-speed since the little Calderon is a southpaw whose asset is his speed and his ability to get out of trouble.
In an exclusive interview with well-known Filipino ring physician Dr. Allan Recto, Calderon said that it was “not yet sure” and that it was “just an idea we gave to Miguel Cotto that I could spar with him after my fight with (Rodel) Mayol” in a rematch for the WBO title on September 12 in Puerto Rico.
Calderon said “I am also a fast southpaw just like Manny Pacquiao. We are just entertaining that as a possibility, nothing’s definite yet.”
The undefeated champion who salvaged a controversial 6th round technical draw in his last title defense against Mayol predicted the Cotto-Pacquiao “Fire Power” showdown at the MGM Grand on November 14 is “going to be a hard fight for both” but said he thinks “it will be Miguel Cotto” adding that the Puerto Rican champion “still got the energy, he’s young, he has the spirit and his boxing skills are better.” Besides, Calderon claimed Cotto “has the heart of a true champion.”
Cotto for the first time confirmed that his WBO welterweight belt will be on the line at the 145 pound catch-weight while Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said both Cotto and Pacquiao were " crazy about" the newly-minted WBC Diamond Belt and that too will be at stake. Cotto revealed that he reached an agreement last week to stake his WBO title even at a catch-weight which is two pounds under the 147 welterweight limit.
Cotto disclosed that they were offered “additional guarantees and benefits (to defend the title). He said “ever since the fight was signed, I have the mindset of victory. After the [Pacquiao fight], we will see what is out there" indicating that he "did not believe Pacquiao who is physical enough to make it a fight” could overcome the advantage he (Cotto) has over him which he said “ will carry me to victory."
According to Vester, Cotto told Primera Hora that he plans to use his physical size and strength advantage in the fight to exploit Pacquiao. Cotto added “If he (Pacquiao) wants a world title, he will have to find someone [to beat] at 147. On November 14, it's going to be a great fight and another win for Puerto Rico."
Source: boxingscene.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
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At some point, Cotto is right. He has superb defense, physical size and strength advantage. But in boxing you need power which is technically means both strength and speed. That physical size may become a liability instead if you talk about Pacman striking skill, it would mean bigger target.
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