Pacquiao will need a lot of luck, says Cotto trainer

LAS VEGAS – Joe Santiago, of all people, was the one who provided spark and fire in the final press conference for Manny Pacquiao’s world welterweight fight against Miguel Cotto this weekend. The young, former nutritionist turned Cotto trainer, was bold enough to give Pacquiao his piece of mind during the two-hour event at the Hollywood Theater of the MGM Grand here. “Miguel is in the best shape he’s ever been, and I hope Manny Pacquiao will be on the same level. We’re three days away from the fight and it’s going to be a great victory for Puerto Rico," Santiago said when it was his turn to speak. And then taking a glance at the current pound-for-pound king, Santiago blurted out, “Good luck, Manny. You’re going to need it." The two boxing stars and surprisingly, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, were all cordial to each other. “I respect Miguel Cotto’s team. They are nice and very friendly," said a smiling Pacquiao. “So on Saturday, may the best man win." Roach wasn’t on a fighting mode either. “We had a great training camp and Manny is 100 percent in shape. I have never seen him better," said Roach, who criticized Santiago during the course of their training when the Puerto Rican challenged him to also put his Trainer of the Year title on the line. “Miguel, good luck to your camp and we will see you on Saturday." Cotto’s mean demeanor concealed the way he talks about an opponent more popular than him. “I’ve trained a lot like never before because I know the skills of Manny Pacquiao," said the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion (34-1, 27 KOs). "I feel good. I’m in excellent condition. “We’re prepared for everything, especially to win." The only thing the 29-year Cotto refused to deal with involved his current weight, eluding all the questions surrounding whether he can make the catch weight of 145 lbs on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), the scheduled official weigh-in for the fight. But Pacquiao (49-3, 37 KOs) said he knows Cotto will make the grade. “I believe he’ll be able to make the weight," the boxing champion from General Santos City said. Cotto better should be as Roach had some strong words for boxers who fail to make the weight for very important fights. “I hate people signing contract and not respecting what he signed for," said the veteran trainer. – GMANews.TV