Fit Pacquiao can’t wait to mix it up with Cotto

A good two weeks still remains but Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao already feels in the best of shape for his "Firepower" showdown with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in Las Vegas. "I feel in 100 per cent condition and I can’t wait for Nov. 14!" Pacquiao said in a conference call from his Los Angeles training camp Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). His chief trainer Freddie Roach reiterated his earlier prediction of a Pacquiao win by knockout, saying the Pacman has brought his vaunted power along as he goes up in weight. Although set at a catchweight of 145 lbs, the Cotto fight will only be Pacquiao’s second foray at welterweight, after his "Dream Match" with the legendary Oscar de La Hoya last December that resulted in an eight-round TKO win for the current world pound-for-pound king. "Working the mitts with Manny at this weight, he’s punching so much harder than he ever has. He’s really getting used to the weight. He’s very used to it that he’s just punching fast and hard and I just think Miguel’s defense isn’t good enough. He’s hittable and people that Manny can hit, he knocks out," Roach said.

Pacquiao, though, isn’t fond of making a Nostradamus-esque forecast. "A lot of people make predictions but I just focus on the fight and if a knockout comes it’s a bonus. I believe in my power and if I’m lucky, I can land a good punch on my opponent," he said. The 30-year-old Pacquiao said he’s doubly-motivated to enter the ring and get his hands on Cotto. Firstly, a victory would give him the distinction of winning an unprecedented world title in a seventh division. He earlier won belts at flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and welterweight. "It’s a great honor for me to bring pride to the Philippines. I’m very hungry to win this fight because I would be the first fighter to capture titles in seven different weight divisions." Secondly, he feels a W would soothe the pain felt by his countrymen, who are picking up the pieces from a series of devastating storms. "I felt very bad for the people affected by the recent natural disasters in the Philippines. It was difficult for me because I had to try to focus on my training which is a big part of me being able to help the country by bringing honor to it. I have to focus on my fight because no one can help me in the ring, but I can help my country by winning my fight," he said. The 30-year-old Pacquiao was having the initial stages of his training in Baguio City when tropical storm Ondoy hit Manila and surrounding provinces and Pepeng was threatening the City of Pines and Northern Luzon. The Pacman donated P1-million for relief efforts and even spent one of his Sunday breaks to personally distribute goods to affected families in Rizal. - GMANews.TV