Pacquiao not rushing for KO win vs champ Cotto

HOLLYWOOD – Unlike his outspoken American trainer Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao is not about to brag of a possible knockout win over Miguel Cotto in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight fight next week. Pacquiao said if the knockout comes, it’s just merely a bonus. “Hindi ko iniisip yan (knockout). Wala sa isip ko yan, Lalaban lang ako. Basta gagawin ko lang lahat ng aking makakaya." “Yung knockout, bonus lang pag dumating yan. Huwag tayong mag-apura." But with barely seven days to go before fight night, Pacquiao already declared himself 100 percent ready against Cotto. “A hundred percent," said Pacquiao, smiling when asked if he’s all set to do battle with the reigning 147-pound champion. “I’m ready for the fight. Hundred percent kundisyon na tayo." The Filipino ring superstar won’t come face-to-face with his 28-year old opponent until Saturday next week (Nov. 15, Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao’s entourage won’t be leaving for the world’s “Sin City" until Monday. The pound-for-pound king still has two more sparring sessions left, including one scheduled Saturday at the Wild Card Gym. Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer, said they’ve already attained their desire number of sparring rounds as of Thursday. “Nung Hatton fight kasi naka-148 sparring rounds kami. Ngayon aabot siguro ng 152-156," he said, revealing plans that Pacquiao may still spar for four rounds on Monday prior to departing for Las Vegas. On Friday, Pacquiao did only eight rounds on the mitts with Freddie Roach. It was actually scheduled for nine rounds, but the sheer impact of the Filipino’s punch tossed the mitts away from the American trainer’s left hand. “Sorry coach," Pacquiao told Roach. But more than his power punches, the General Santos City native stressed that his speed will be the key weapon against the bigger and stronger champion from Caguas, Puerto Rico. “The key to this fight is speed and head movement," said Pacquiao, owner of a 49-3 record, with 37 KOs. – GMANews.TV