Freddie Roach sees Miguel Cotto as the biggest challenge in Manny Pacquiaoâs illustrious career that he couldnât help himself compare the reigning WBO welterweight champion to a famous fictional movie monster. âWe are about to fight King Kong," Roach exclaimed during the press conference for the Pacquiao-Cotto November 14 showdown in Cottoâs hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico Saturday (Sunday in Manila). âThatâs how big he is. But we have a game plan, although it is going to be a hard fight," he added.
Miguel Cotto, left, and Filipino pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, during their recent promotional tour in New York. AP
Pacquiao himself admitted during the event held at the Centro de Bellas Artes that the 28-year-old Cotto, a natural welterweight, will be his hardest fight to date. Perhaps even tougher than Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales, three of boxingâs most revered fighters who suffered defeats at the hands of the Filipino ring icon. âThere is going to be a lot of action in the ring," Pacquiao told the crowd. âCotto is big and strong. He has the size, heâs very smart and heâs big." One thing going for Pacquiao is the 145-pound catchweight, a weight class where the Puerto Rican last fought in 2006 yet. Other than that, everything appears to favor Cotto, who, unlike Pacquiao, has already begun to train for the 12-round fight as early as last month. âCotto is strong and bigger, he is at his prime right now," Roach admitted. âHe is a game guy and he likes to exchange, so we have to be very careful."
We are about to fight King Kong. Thatâs how big he (Cotto) is. But we have a game plan, although it is going to be a hard fight. â Trainer Freddie Roach
He said Cotto is a great puncher with a great left hook to the body that his ward should neutralize. âHe is solid and does everything consistently." The Puerto Rico stopover is the second in the week-long, five city tour by the two boxing superstars to hype up their âFirepower" title fight two months from now at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The press tour began last Friday at the Yankee Stadium in New York. Next on their agenda is a personal appearance in San Francisco on Sunday, a 10-hour flight from Caguas, where a similar gig will be held at the AT& T Park. The following day itâs off to Los Angeles for the Pacquiao and Cotto entourage, where another press conference is set at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The final destination is slated in San Diego at the Petco Park on Tuesday. After all these, Pacquiao is penciled for his eight-week training camp beginning Sept. 21 in Baguio City. -
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