Roach gives pupil Pacquiao 'perfect 10' for latest performance

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao may have veered a little from their fight plan against Miguel Cotto. Still, Freddie Roach gave the Pacman a perfect 10 as he rated the Pacman's performance against the valiant Puerto Rican, whom he dethroned as World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion over the weekend. “I give him (Pacquiao) a 10. Cotto is a big, strong guy. Cotto was in good shape. He looked better than I thought he would. Cotto looked really quite good," said Roach. Despite Pacquiao scoring a perfect grade, the outspoken but well-liked trainer stressed there were also flaws in the way the seven-division champion executed their fight plan. Obviously, Roach was referring to several instances when Pacquiao allowed himself to be pinned on the ropes by the hard-hitting Cotto. At one time, the three-time Trainer of the Year even believes Cotto was able to tag the Filipino with a powerful uppercut. “I won’t say Manny was hurt, but he got Manny’s attention," Roach recalled. “Coming off the ropes, Cotto threw half an upper cut and caught him. I saw Manny clinch." “I don’t see him (Pacquiao) hurt badly, but he (Cotto) got his attention, that’s for sure. He definitely felt that one time." Asked if he ever got angry at Pacquiao, Roach smiled and said, “Yeah, I was angry at him. I yelled at him." Other than that, Roach said they had Cotto all sized up. “I think Manny beat him in our game plan and Cotto’s game plan. Manny proved that he could take his punch. I have the stronger fighter. We beat him all the way around," he said. Roach acknowledged Cotto’s hard left jab was initially working to their favor in the early rounds, pointing out Pacquiao was even losing the third round, until his right hand found Cotto’s jaw and sent the Puerto Rican down to the canvas, the first of two significant knockdowns the Filipino scored during the fight. “But once Manny got into his rhythm," said Roach, “it was over." - GMANews.TV