Pacquiao’s Lack of Focus Not an Issue; Cotto’s Focus Is
September 2nd, 2009
By David Berry: If you’ve been scanning Manny Pacquiao headlines as of late, you’re likely convinced that the pound-for-pound champ is on a train track that’s scheduled to derail on November 14 against Miguel Cotto. A lack of focus, a lack of commitment to training, and a rift with his trainer and confidante, Freddie Roach, and perhaps an alien abduction, have all been cited as causes for concern. But read with caution.
But there is still a major cause for concern, and that concern has nothing to do with what’s happening, or not happening, in Pacquiao’s camp. It’s what is happening in Cotto’s camp.
Let’s rewind to late July, just six weeks ago. Freddie Roach was his usual confident self when speaking about Pacquiao’s chances against Cotto. “I don’t have anything bad to say about Cotto. I believe that he is an excellent athlete who is always well prepared for his fights, but I trust in the abilities of Manny and I believe that we are going to knock Cotto out,” Roach said.
Now 10 weeks from the fight, Roach is feeling a little less bold in his proclamations. In an interview with David Tyler of Doghouse Boxing on September 1, Roach said: “You know that I’ve been making a lot of predictions lately, and I will give you one for sure; this fight will go the distance.”
Why the change in tune?
When Cotto’s chief conditioning coach, Phil Landman, showed up to camp, he marveled at the fighter’s early progress. “Miguel looks strong, happy and very motivated,” said Landman. “It’s not like Miguel has lacked any motivation in the past. It’s just that I see something different (in him)…It’s an important fight and he’s taking things seriously. Mentally, Miguel looks ready for the long work that awaits him,” Landman told Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Roach isn’t just concerned with nailing down Pacquiao’s training plans – he’s also acutely aware of the preparation that Pacquiao’s opponent has already begun. “Cotto knows this is his biggest fight from a promotional sense. He also knows that he can erase the memory of Margarito with a victory over Manny,” said Roach. “He has already started training because he is taking this fight very, very, seriously more than any fight he has ever had.”
“Anyone who thinks this fight is easy is a fool. He’s going to be at his best,” said Roach.
What does this mean for fight fans? Embrace the fact that this fight is shaping up to be far more explosive and entertaining than we may have originally thought. Rest assured that Pacquiao, despite Roach’s concerns, is indeed right on schedule to begin training. To believe that Pacquiao won’t be focused in his preparation for Cotto is foolish. He’s beaten 10 consecutive opponents now, many in brutal fashion. And until his training schedule is indeed off track, there is no reason to believe that Pacquiao won’t be at his absolute best come November.
The equalizer in all of this, though, is Cotto. A focused, determined Cotto conjures up images of the fighter who seemed virtually unstoppable after his victory over Shane Mosley in 2007. And if that is indeed the same Cotto that we can expect to see against Pacquiao, then fight fans are in for a real treat.
This fight is already a candidate for the largest grossing pay per view fight of the year. When it’s all said and done, though, don’t be surprised if it has the label of Fight of the Year to go with it.
Questions? Comments? E-Mail David Berry at iamdavidberry@yahoo.com, and visit http://www.iamdavidberry.com.
Tags: 24 Responses to “Pacquiao’s Lack of Focus Not an Issue; Cotto’s Focus Is”
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My prediction is Pac-man by TKO or by UD. Cotto is a tremendous, throw-back type of fighter who wants to fight. I give him big credit for that. Consider this: Cotto has been hurt and/or knocked down by fighters like Demarcus Corley, Ricardo Torres, Carlos Quintana, and Zab Judah. To Cotto’s credit, he got up and won those fights. However, none of these fighters are what you would call the “elite” of the sport. If he gets hurt by Pac-man who is an elite fighter, chances are high that Cotto will get knocked out. On top of that, Pac-Man throws more punches, has better and quicker foot movement, faster hands both with power, and (perhaps) a better chin having taken the best punches of JM Marquez in 2 fights. I’m a Cotto fan but there may be too much for him to overcome in this fight. I question whether Cotto is the same fighter after taking a brutal beating from Margarito.
to anonymous… Yea cotto got tko… But hmmm… Who else can stand goin 11 rounds gettin hit wit loaded hands… And nobody say magarito hands werent loaded…. Cuz that sum bs…cotto shud still be undefeated …. Anyway cotto has to win by knockout or las vegas will rob him in a decision liketexas robb my boy mailinaggi… LETS Go COTTO!!
To Edgar Cintron who said Cotto had never been TKO’d go and watch the fight against Margharito maybe he got TKO’d in the 11th i’m not sure……
Anyway as for this fight i don’t think i can call it either way that is why everybody is excited about it but i will say this:
If Cotto can deal with Pacquiao’s speed he will knock him out if not i see a lop sided decision for PAC
For a second, reading the title, I thought the author might go in the direction of Cotto possibly over-training
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Great fight. Miguel Angel “NO FEAR” Cotto by KO in 6 rounds.
Cotto well prepare and motivated, That’s something to be afraid.
This is gonna be a great fight that i don’t wanna miss since i love these two fighters a lot and since this is very explosive,expect an early knock out. I go for Cotto.
Cotto v Mayweather 2010.
I’m from Romania and i can’t wait for this fight! Tha fight of the year!
You are all talkin about pacman speed an how cotto won’t deal with it well sugar shane was just as fast if not faster and hits harder cotto took care of mosleys speed think cotto will take care of pacmans speed also cotto is naturally southpaw so he switch it unlike hatton will ba hard fight but feel that pacman has taken the one big step 2 many an will realise he is 2 small 2 fight welterweights cotto KO possibly.
any1 else think the same?????
ooops it was paste wrong: my badd it’s been a while…
It’s very simple:
Manny Pacquiao is very sloppey when he is under pressure; Cotto applies pressure.
Pac-man will be Cotto’s smallest and weekest opponent. He’ll have no choice but to land nothing but slick punches. Which was the only way he has gotten out of being pressured. We all know what happens when you do that to Cotto; Cotto will land five or better and a bag of chips out of one or two that Pac-man sneeks.
Cotto has a strong chin and fights better when he’s under pressure.
One cannot compare any of Pac-man’s last opponents with Cotto’s! Duhhh!!!
Just because Pac-man took on “washed up,” DeLaHoya and Hatton does not mean he is ready for this challenge, Cotto’s still in his prime! He has never been TKO’d!
I must also add that Cotto is much more foccussed and confident thManny Pacquiao is very sloppey when he is under pressure; Cotto applies pressure.
Pac-man will be Cotto’s smallest and weekest opponent. He’ll have no choice but to land nothing but slick punches. Which was the only way he has gotten out of being pressured. We all know what happens when you do that to Cotto; Cotto will land five or better and a bag of chips out of one or two that Pac-man sneeks.
Cotto has a strong chin and fights better when he’s under pressure.
One cannot compare any of Pac-man’s last opponents with Cotto’s! Duhhh!!!
Just because Pac-man took on “washed up,” DeLaHoya and Hatton does not mean he is ready for this challenge, Cotto’s still in his prime! He has never been TKO’d!
I must also add that Cotto is much more foccussed and confident than ever especially after plaster and ten rounds with one eye against a great fighter (Clottey) and he is still in tact!
Pac-man will get punished for calling him out, believe that!
In Nov 14 will the greatess win of Miguel Cotto . He got the power , he got the speed , he can box and have a good defense. Plus he’s gonna be that probably in he best shape ever . And I forgot that he’s a killer to the body . For the guys that they don’t know , 2 of the 3 lose of Pacquiao was tko punches to the body . So we will have a new pound for pound king and that is Miguel Cotto .
i think pac will win by decision unless cotto gets cut then it will be a tko. Face it ya’ll pac’s speed 2 much 4 Cotto. i dont care how strong cotto is. $SPEED KILLS$
One thing is for sure no way that Pac is going to KO Cotto
Pacquiao will sweep the floor w/ Cotto. The fight is 10 weeks so why the hell are they bytching? Let Pac shoot the movie he is shooting, and come Nov.14 Pac will KO Cotto.
Cotto in the early rounds if not Pac’s going to chew him up in the later rounds if it goes to decision i think pac by a close but sure UD.
Great article man! Nuff said!
Nice article!!!!!!
I have a feeling that this fight wont last 5 rounds. Both Cotto and Pac will hit each other and either Pac powers follow him to beat a real welterweight or Cotto’s power will be too much for Pac…We will see Nov 14….
Pac in 8 –cotto will get busted. He will be chasing a ghost-
Nice analysis, unlike that idiot Manuela Peepeerez. Cotto in later rounds.
IT WILL BE A SPECTACULAR FIGHT. PREDICTIONS DON’T MATTER. WE WILL ALL BE SURPRISED OF THE OUTCOME. JUST ENJOY THE FIGHT.
pacman will fall down with a third round left hook body shot from cotto!!! Count on it. What this writer forgot to write was that pacquiao’s training sight is not the wild card gym. Whenever he doesn’t train in that gym, he will have a horrible performance.
All the fireworks and drama before the Pacquiao fight is half the fun! November will come too soon. Enjoy every day and embrace the circus atmosphere. Everything will be as it should be come fight night. And the fight will be over before you know it because Pacman ain’t gonna fight forever…