Pacquiao ready for Cotto

World boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is looking forward to his November 15 (Phil. Time) fight against Miguel Cotto with his corner, headed by master trainer Freddie Roach, designing another game plan that will send down to canvas the WBA welterweight champion.

Pacquiao, who met recently with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia in Manila, said he was happy that the original Oct. 17 date of the fight was moved to a later schedule since October is MassKara time in Bacolod.

Leonardia said he had told Pacquiao that if his bout against Cotto will be held in October, he will not be able to join the Team Pacquiao in America as he has to be in the city during the MassKara celebration.

On the request of Pacquiao, Leonardia has been the one holding the championship belt of the boxing icon in all his latest fights in the United States.

Meanwhile, reports from the wires said Roach is confident that Cotto will join the list of Pacquiao’s victims after their fight.

While Cotto was able to dodge Shane Mosley’s punches in their encounter last year, Roach said the WBA champ will not be able to avoid Pacquiao’s power jabs and speedy combinations.

Although he is not ruling out Cotto’s power, the owner of Wild Card Gym, who helped Pacquiao attain his present boxing glory, said he is training the Filipino boxer not to get hit.

He also said that the contrast between the styles of both players gives Pacman an advantage over Cotto.


Source: visayandailystar.com