Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Despite bruises, Freddie Roach won't cut, run on Manny Pacquiao
WWJD?
Many people know that is shorthand for What Would Jesus Do?
In terms of any and all boxing matters, Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao’s only question should be WWFD, or What Would Freddie (Roach) Do?
I don’t know if some of the shoeshiners and Chapstick bumkissers surrounding Pacman are poisoning the well against the heretofore revered Coach Roach but it’s painfully obvious that there is Trouble in River City and you spell it with a capital T.
If this disturbing trend of no contact with his trainer goes on, I think Roach will soon understand how Dr. Frankenstein felt when the monster turned against him.
Here’s what I see happening next in the Pacman soap opera:
1. Packy will cuddle up with Roach when he comes to the US.
2. Irascible agent Michael Koncz makes himself scarce in Roach’s presence fearing upsetting Boss Manny and a boxing comeback by Freddie. Even with his hockey goalie’s mark, Koncz is easy work for Roach.
3. Freddie will not, despite his bruised ego and feelings, not cut and run. He’ll stay out of loyalty with money being a secondary concern. Freddie’s the hottest trainer in boxing and MMA, he’ll never lack for work and his ascetic lifestyle doesn’t require a huge budget. FR is not Cash Rules Everything Around Me (CREAM) like “Money May” Mayweather.
4. Training camp in Baguio will prove to be a Nightmare On Elm Street with Pinoy suckups of all description seeking to touch the hem of Jesus, er I mean, Manny’s garments.
5. Boss Manny will stay short time, maybe two weeks, in Baguio before issuing an order to decamp to Toluca in Mexico. Pacman can admit to being wrong, I think.
6. Attorney Gacal stays with radio silence so much that Pinoys think his lips are sealed with duct tape.
7. Self-preservation expert Bob Arum will ask Manny to put an arm around Coach Roach and feel his pain. If it’s good for Uncle Bob, he does it.
8. Reports of Cotto looking extra sharp in training will send a shockwave into the entire camp leading to bagging it in Baguio.
9. Michael Marley will write an article without mentioning Manny Pacquiao or even Bobby Pacquiao.
10. Some jagoff will accuse Marley of reporting on Pacman to get Internet hits. Doh, did you think the White Gorilla pounds the Pacquiao beat as a hobby? Wake up!
Meanwhile, Manny himself says have healthy hair with Head & Shoulders and relax, no worries, mate, he will be everready for Cotto come Nov. 14.
Source: examiner.com
Pacquiao’s Lack of Focus Not an Issue; Cotto’s Focus Is
If you’ve been scanning Manny Pacquiao headlines as of late, you’re likely convinced that the pound-for-pound champ is on a train track that’s scheduled to derail on November 14 against Miguel Cotto. A lack of focus, a lack of commitment to training, and a rift with his trainer and confidante, Freddie Roach, and perhaps an alien abduction, have all been cited as causes for concern. But read with caution.
Pacquiao’s fight preparation has always involved eight weeks of training, putting him right on schedule for his bout with Cotto. And just ask David Diaz, Oscar de La Hoya and Ricky Hatton for proof that eight weeks is more than adequate.
But there is still a major cause for concern, and that concern has nothing to do with what’s happening, or not happening, in Pacquiao’s camp. It’s what is happening in Cotto’s camp.
Let’s rewind to late July, just six weeks ago. Freddie Roach was his usual confident self when speaking about Pacquiao’s chances against Cotto. “I don’t have anything bad to say about Cotto. I believe that he is an excellent athlete who is always well prepared for his fights, but I trust in the abilities of Manny and I believe that we are going to knock Cotto out,” Roach said.
Now 10 weeks from the fight, Roach is feeling a little less bold in his proclamations. In an interview with David Tyler of Doghouse Boxing on September 1, Roach said: “You know that I’ve been making a lot of predictions lately, and I will give you one for sure; this fight will go the distance.”
Why the change in tune?
When Cotto’s chief conditioning coach, Phil Landman, showed up to camp, he marveled at the fighter’s early progress. “Miguel looks strong, happy and very motivated,” said Landman. “It’s not like Miguel has lacked any motivation in the past. It’s just that I see something different (in him)…It’s an important fight and he’s taking things seriously. Mentally, Miguel looks ready for the long work that awaits him,” Landman told Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Roach isn’t just concerned with nailing down Pacquiao’s training plans – he’s also acutely aware of the preparation that Pacquiao’s opponent has already begun. “Cotto knows this is his biggest fight from a promotional sense. He also knows that he can erase the memory of Margarito with a victory over Manny,” said Roach. “He has already started training because he is taking this fight very, very, seriously more than any fight he has ever had.”
“Anyone who thinks this fight is easy is a fool. He’s going to be at his best,” said Roach.
What does this mean for fight fans? Embrace the fact that this fight is shaping up to be far more explosive and entertaining than we may have originally thought. Rest assured that Pacquiao, despite Roach’s concerns, is indeed right on schedule to begin training. To believe that Pacquiao won’t be focused in his preparation for Cotto is foolish. He’s beaten 10 consecutive opponents now, many in brutal fashion. And until his training schedule is indeed off track, there is no reason to believe that Pacquiao won’t be at his absolute best come November.
The equalizer in all of this, though, is Cotto. A focused, determined Cotto conjures up images of the fighter who seemed virtually unstoppable after his victory over Shane Mosley in 2007. And if that is indeed the same Cotto that we can expect to see against Pacquiao, then fight fans are in for a real treat.
This fight is already a candidate for the largest grossing pay per view fight of the year. When it’s all said and done, though, don’t be surprised if it has the label of Fight of the Year to go with it.
Sourc: boxingnews24.com
Timing’s just right
MIGUEL COTTO’s camp said he is right on track in his training, although he’s just a week into his program.
Manny Pacquiao said he himself is on track, although he has yet to get back in the gym.
The flamboyant Filipino southpaw remains in the country while his rival has already began his preparations, drawing speculation he is taking the world welterweight champion lightly.
But Pacquiao, considered the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound, is sticking to his schedule which includes television shows and some appearances for product promotions. He stressed he is in control of his schedule.
The 30-year-old Pacquiao leaves for the US next Wednesday, which should be right on schedule for an eight-week program before the November 14 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Kapag lumalagpas kasi ng eight weeks ang training, medyo overtrained na ako, hindi maganda ang kundisyon ko pagdating sa fight,” said Pacquiao.
“Kapag under naman ng eight weeks, masama din ang kundisyon ko. Kaya ang training palagi dapat eight weeks before the fight.”
After the megabuck fight with superstar Oscar de la Hoya late last year and the surprisingly one-sided victory over light-welterweight Briton Ricky Hatton last summer, Pacquiao has channeled his energy to his show business career.
From appearances in variety shows as a singer, cameos in soap operas to hosting an infotainment show, the lefty fighter from General Santos City now has his own weekly comedy program.
Those and more product endorsements, including the Head and Shoulders shampoo he launched on Wednesday in a Makati hotel, have been keeping the popular brawler out of the gym.
Still, the biggest-earning Filipino sports hero has proven doubters wrong and despite criticisms of his late night outs, he has maintained his fighting form and has not lost in 10 bouts.
He stressed that when he does hit the gym, he focuses on the fight and nothing more.
“Pag training na, pag-aaralan nating mabuti si Cotto,” said Pacquiao. “Habang nagti-training tayo, every day nating pag-aaralan ’yung style niya. Kung ano’ng dapat gawin, ’yung mga techniques.”
Cotto defeated Michael Jennings in the battle for the vacant World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in February and four months later defended it against Joshua Clottey.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph
Pacquiao to start working on conditioning this week
MANILA -- Amid concerns that Manny Pacquiao may have been “relaxing too much” away from boxing, the pound-for-pound king assured his fans that he still has enough time left for training.
Pacquiao said his title showdown with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto would require him to train for eight weeks, not more, not less.
“Kasi ‘pag lumampas ng eight weeks iyong training ko, medyo ma-over train ako, hindi maganda kondisyon ko sa fight. ‘Pag bumababa ng sa eight weeks masama naman ang kondisyon ko,” said the country’s most beloved boxing hero from General Santos City.
Pacquiao said he still has a lot of time to return to his usual fighting form as he is likely to start working on his condition this week.
Cotto has started working out for the fight as early as August.
“Oo nga si Cotto mag-iisang buwan na. Ako mag ii-start pa lang this week, may time pa naman,” he said.
Pacquiao said he will fly to the US on September 9 to participate in the fight’s four-city press tour set to kick off in New York.
He said he is likely to return to the Philippines after the tour to begin his “high altitude” training in Baguio.
Pacquiao said he will still have to settle with coach Freddie Roach their final training site before eventually heading to Las Vegas for the November 14 fight.
Roach said the Filipino’s fight against Cotto should not be taken lightly as they expect the Puerto Rican to be in his best condition.
"Anyone who thinks this fight is easy is a fool. He's going to be at his best," said Roach.
“I've been studying this guy, watching his fights, I have a good strategy in mind and we just have to implement it now,” he added.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
Pacquiao said his title showdown with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto would require him to train for eight weeks, not more, not less.
“Kasi ‘pag lumampas ng eight weeks iyong training ko, medyo ma-over train ako, hindi maganda kondisyon ko sa fight. ‘Pag bumababa ng sa eight weeks masama naman ang kondisyon ko,” said the country’s most beloved boxing hero from General Santos City.
Pacquiao said he still has a lot of time to return to his usual fighting form as he is likely to start working on his condition this week.
Cotto has started working out for the fight as early as August.
“Oo nga si Cotto mag-iisang buwan na. Ako mag ii-start pa lang this week, may time pa naman,” he said.
Pacquiao said he will fly to the US on September 9 to participate in the fight’s four-city press tour set to kick off in New York.
He said he is likely to return to the Philippines after the tour to begin his “high altitude” training in Baguio.
Pacquiao said he will still have to settle with coach Freddie Roach their final training site before eventually heading to Las Vegas for the November 14 fight.
Roach said the Filipino’s fight against Cotto should not be taken lightly as they expect the Puerto Rican to be in his best condition.
"Anyone who thinks this fight is easy is a fool. He's going to be at his best," said Roach.
“I've been studying this guy, watching his fights, I have a good strategy in mind and we just have to implement it now,” he added.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
Pacquiao-Cotto NYC Presser
Fight fans invited
Fight fans may enter through Gate 4 at Yankee Stadium for Top Rank’s FirePower press conference which will feature Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on Thursday, Sept. 10. Gate 4 will open at 11 am. The press conference, on the field by first base, will begin at noon. Bob Arum said fight fans have been calling and sending emails to Top Rank’s corporate office in Las Vegas about the upcoming FirePower press conference. “We are expecting a huge turnout of fans,” Arum said. The stop at Yankee Stadium will launch a national tour with stops in Caguas, Puerto Rico; San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Calif. and San Diego. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in their mega Firepower showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 14. Pacquiao vs. Cotto will be available on HBO Pay Per View.
Source: fightnews.com
Fight fans may enter through Gate 4 at Yankee Stadium for Top Rank’s FirePower press conference which will feature Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto on Thursday, Sept. 10. Gate 4 will open at 11 am. The press conference, on the field by first base, will begin at noon. Bob Arum said fight fans have been calling and sending emails to Top Rank’s corporate office in Las Vegas about the upcoming FirePower press conference. “We are expecting a huge turnout of fans,” Arum said. The stop at Yankee Stadium will launch a national tour with stops in Caguas, Puerto Rico; San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Calif. and San Diego. Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in their mega Firepower showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 14. Pacquiao vs. Cotto will be available on HBO Pay Per View.
Source: fightnews.com
Pacquiao rules out early training
Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he worries being burned out if he trains too early and explained that an eight-week training before his fight has been tried, tested and proven to be successful.
Pacquiao made this comment when asked why he has not hit the gym while his opponent, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, has been training for weeks.
“When I train more than eight weeks, I get burned out," said Pacquiao during the formal launch of Head and Shoulders shampoo, which he is an endorser at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati.
“But when I train less than eight weeks, I feel that I don't get the perfect condition,” said Pacquiao, who battles Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao said he will report to the gym upon his arrival from a five-city press and promotional tour of the fight beginning on September 10 at Yankee Stadium in New York.
From the Big Apple, Pacquiao will fly to Puerto Rico for another gig on the 12th and then onwards to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in the next few days.
Pacquiao will leave for the tour on September 9.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach had been calling out his fighter to decide right away as to the venue of his training camp, adding that the high-altitude conditions of Toluca, an hour by land from Mexico City, is an ideal place to set up a training camp.
While Toluca looks like ideal, Pacquiao is also eyeing a secluded residential place in Baguio City.
Informed of Pacquiao’s desire to make Baguio his homebase for training, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping said he will make sure the boxing gym located inside Teacher’s Camp will be secured to ensure that Pacquiso stays focused during his workouts.
Cotto has been in training the past month in Puerto Rico, a sign that the 28-year-old puncher is not just after the hefty paycheck that comes with fighting somebody like Pacquiao.
Cotto is far more advanced than Pacquiao at this point in terms of training that he has kicked off his sparring sessions.
Still, Pacquiao believes eight weeks is more than enough to whip himself up into form against the rugged and dangerous Cotto.
“I will come in prepared as always,” said Pacquiao.
Source: mb.com.ph
Pacquiao made this comment when asked why he has not hit the gym while his opponent, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, has been training for weeks.
“When I train more than eight weeks, I get burned out," said Pacquiao during the formal launch of Head and Shoulders shampoo, which he is an endorser at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati.
“But when I train less than eight weeks, I feel that I don't get the perfect condition,” said Pacquiao, who battles Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao said he will report to the gym upon his arrival from a five-city press and promotional tour of the fight beginning on September 10 at Yankee Stadium in New York.
From the Big Apple, Pacquiao will fly to Puerto Rico for another gig on the 12th and then onwards to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in the next few days.
Pacquiao will leave for the tour on September 9.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach had been calling out his fighter to decide right away as to the venue of his training camp, adding that the high-altitude conditions of Toluca, an hour by land from Mexico City, is an ideal place to set up a training camp.
While Toluca looks like ideal, Pacquiao is also eyeing a secluded residential place in Baguio City.
Informed of Pacquiao’s desire to make Baguio his homebase for training, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping said he will make sure the boxing gym located inside Teacher’s Camp will be secured to ensure that Pacquiso stays focused during his workouts.
Cotto has been in training the past month in Puerto Rico, a sign that the 28-year-old puncher is not just after the hefty paycheck that comes with fighting somebody like Pacquiao.
Cotto is far more advanced than Pacquiao at this point in terms of training that he has kicked off his sparring sessions.
Still, Pacquiao believes eight weeks is more than enough to whip himself up into form against the rugged and dangerous Cotto.
“I will come in prepared as always,” said Pacquiao.
Source: mb.com.ph
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